READ THIS: The Art of Intelligence Lessons from a Life in the CIA’s Clandestine Service By Henry A. Crumpton

If you are proud to be an American, feel lucky to be an American, or are of another nationality and possess the care and curiosity to know how this country effectively functions, you should read this book.  In The Art of Intelligence, Henry Crumpton successfully paints a picture of exactly just what it is like to be in the CIA and we venture to say though we have no firsthand knowledge of this, we admire this group and are so grateful for their service and all that they do to protect us.  You have no idea how much they do until you read this book.  They are brilliant thinkers, courageous under pressure, and execute tasks to reach their goals to keep us all safe every day.

As the world becomes more complex, the value of intelligence is indeed increasing.  And the ability of the CIA to keep us in good order is no easy task, especially when the Executive Branch of Government can be such a hindrance to them reaching goals-we were disappointed to hear about how Jose Rodriguez was treated but don't worry-his book is also in Peachy's "to read" pile.  He's next.  

Crumpton retired from the CIA in 2007...and he states on page 12:

"The paradox remains.  How does a former CIA officer maintain the cultural code of the quiet professional and at the same time seek to inform the public, to advance understanding and thereby support for the intelligence mission?  I seek to strike the right balance between a retired spy's honorable discretion and an active citizen's public responsibility."

We like the way that was worded and the sentiment it reflects because it forms the basis for which the perspective of this book is grounded upon.

You should also know that Crumpton was pursuing a serious passion when he worked for the CIA.  Even at age 10 or 11 he was writing to them telling them he wanted to work there.  Of course he reapplied and started at age 23.  In 2001 he led the CIA's war in Afghanistan, the largest paramilitary covert action since Vietnam.  Of course, the CIA is all about foreign intelligence, in all forms of it.  You'll learn about Terrorism, Counterterrorism, Nanotechnology and challenges of information sharing in the FBI.  It is important to note that the FBI is a reactive organization.  There are multiple differences between the CIA and FBI and they are detailed starting on p. 112, and though we would be certain this is easier said than done, there clearly needs to be better cooperation between the CIA, FBI, Congress and the Executive Branch.  You'll find it interesting to read on page 130: "President Clinton, as Rich explained, had granted limited, narrow approval to collect intelligence and pursue Bin Laden.  Nothing more than that, Rich stressed."  You will undoubtedly be asking yourself a lot of "What if?" questions as you read this book.

Another major point is the proactive nature of the CIA and how it is difficult to quantify their results as they prevent a lot from happening....as in saved vs. killed vs. potentially killed-there are many ways to look at situations here with the bottom line being protecting Americans.  It is also a seemingly thankless job-if they fail, people are killed...if they win....just see page 186.  You will feel your own job is easy after you read this book, unless of course if you perhaps work for the CIA.

To be a good citizen yourself, you need to understand what is going on in the world around you and know how our country functions.  You know, if you see something, say something.  You want to know what the CIA does, how they do it, and how we can help them do their job, because safety is absolutely more important than political gain for any party.  This book is riveting.  This book is well-written.  We hardly put it down once it opened, and you need to pick it up.

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For a crucial period, Henry Crumpton led the CIA’s global covert operations against America’s terrorist enemies, including Al-Qaeda. In the days after 9/11, the CIA tasked Crumpton to organize and lead the Afghanistan campaign. With Crumpton’s strategic initiative and bold leadership, from the battlefield to the oval office, U.S. and Afghan allies routed Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in fewer than ninety days after the Twin Towers fell. At the height of combat against the Taliban in late 2001, there were fewer than five hundred Americans on the ground in Afghanistan, a dynamic blend of CIA and Special Forces. The campaign changed the way America wages war. Henry Crumpton’s new book THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE: Lessons from a Life in the CIA’s Clandestine Service (The Penguin Press; strict on-sale: May 14, 2012), which illustrates the growing importance of America’s intelligence officers and their secret missions, will change the way we view the CIA. 

Telling the spellbinding story of Crumpton’s high-risk, action-packed career, THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE explains what spies do and why their service is more valuable than ever. Crumpton takes readers from his early years in Africa, where for a decade he recruited sources from loathsome criminals to heroic warriors in a legendary Cold War battleground for spies; to the FBI and then to the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, where he pioneered new programs such as the UAV Predator; to Afghanistan, where he led the CIA’s war against Al-Qaeda after 9/11, the most important and most successful paramilitary cover action in the Agency’s history; to his later work running all CIA clandestine operations inside the United States. 

No book like THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE has ever been written: an epic thriller that delivers profound lessons about intelligence, war, leadership, and what it means to serve as an honorable spy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Henry A. Crumpton is the chairman and CEO of Crumpton Group LLC, a global business advisory firm. He was an operations officer in the CIA’s Clandestine Service for twenty-four years, then served as the U.S. coordinator for counterterrorism with the rank of ambassador at large. A native of Warren County, Georgia, he and his wife Cindy, reside in the Washington, DC, area. 

THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE: Lessons from a Life in the CIA’s Clandestine Service 

by Henry A. Crumpton 

The Penguin Press 

On sale: May 14, 2012 

ISBN 978-1-59420334-3* $27.95 * 338 pages