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A Spy For All Seasons: My Life in the CIA Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 125 ratings

A former Deputy Director of the CIA provides a behind-the-scenes look at the American intelligence community, the Reagan administration's secret war against the Sandinistas, the covert operations he conceived, and the battle against world terrorism.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Clarridge, a New Hampshire-born dentist's son, joined the CIA in 1955 to fight Soviet and Chinese communism. His 33-year career-including stints as chief of the Latin American and European divisions, and head of the CIA's Counterterrorist Center, which he set up in 1986-ended with his forced retirement after the FBI and congressional committees investigated his role in what he dismissively calls "the Iran-contra nonsense." Indicted in 1991 on federal charges of lying to Congress and the Tower Commission, Clarridge received a presidential pardon from Bush a year later. In a brisk, businesslike memoir studded with disclosures about CIA covert actions and espionage around the world, Clarridge denies charges that he secretly anointed Oliver North as U.S. coordinator for contra funding and weapons supply. He also denies that he knew in advance a shipment of missiles to Iran was, in fact, weaponry rather than oil-drilling equipment, as North allegedly tricked him into believing. Clarridge reveals details of an almost-successful agency attempt to nab Palestinian terrorist Abul Abbas, who hijacked the cruise ship Achille Lauro in 1985, killing a wheelchair-bound Jewish passenger. The CIA veteran staunchly defends Reagan's contra war against Nicaragua's "totalitarian" Sandinistas, an operation he created and supervised. And he reports that, after Abu Nidal terrorists killed 19 people in the Rome and Vienna airports in 1985, CIA operatives penetrated the Libya- and Lebanon-based group, sowing paranoid distrust that led Nidal to murder 330 of his own hard-core disciples. Coauthor Diehl is a frequent contributor to Playboy and has collaborated on six book.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

When Clarridge retired under the shadow of the Iran-Contra affair, he was one of the most senior clandestine operations people in the CIA. Behind him lay the career this book recounts. Beginning in the 1950s, when the CIA had just completed its transition from being the OSS, it continued through the height of the cold war to finally witness the collapse of Communism. Frank about his own limitations and failings and equally proud of his achievements, Clarridge, with writer Diehl's able help, generally offers a commendably unglamorous insider account of the spy's life. It is, of course, hard to judge whether he is totally truthful about his role in supporting the contras, but he is definitely persuasive in arguing against creating a situation in which clandestine operations are impossible, as he believes is now the case. Good reading for students of espionage, both serious and casual. Roland Green

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003JBI2SO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; Original ed. edition (November 24, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 24, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 434 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 125 ratings

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Duane R. Clarridge
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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
125 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-researched. They appreciate the candid first-hand account of events that shaped the American experience, as well as the insightful coverage of covert action strategies. Readers mention it's an excellent read and not fiction.

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13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-researched. They find it compelling and a must-read for national security practitioners. The story is easy to follow and provides interesting insights.

"Too bad all you Communists and Islamists! I admire Dewey and I love the book...." Read more

"...The information he provides is easy to follow and fascinating. I had a hard time putting this down because I wanted to know what was going to happen...." Read more

"...in South America, this book is undoubtedly a must read for any National Security practitioner...." Read more

"The book sheds a lot of insight on some of the important issues of the day. Interesting to read if you were an adult during the 1960-1980’s." Read more

4 customers mention "Insight"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights into the CIA and covert action strategies. They find it a candid first-hand account of events that shaped the American experience. The book is described as a true tale, not fiction.

"...From covert activities in the Middle East, shaping the direction of democracy and politics in Europe in addition to influencing patriotic yet daring..." Read more

"...This is not a book of fiction...." Read more

"Book offers excellent insight into covert action strategies...." Read more

"Amazing insight into what the CIA was, and hopefully, will be again." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2012
    Too bad all you Communists and Islamists! I admire Dewey and I love the book. I knew Clarridge over in Istanbul when my family lived there in 1968-1972. My father worked with him and Jaime Munson in the US Consulate. They greeted us when we arrived in Janurary 1968.

    Both my family and Clarridge witnessed the attack on the sailors from the USS Enterprise in May 1968 when rioting students from the Istanbul Technical University attacked the sailors as they came ashore on the European side of the Bosphuros. Like Clarridge said, long before you ever heard about Abu Nidal, Mohammed Abul Abbass or Usama Bin Laden, we witnessed what would arrive on American shores 33 years later--Islamic terrorism.

    My younger brother used to play with Dewey's son, Tariq, and when my parents had dinner parties, Mr. Clarridge would come over to our home on the outskirts of Istanbul. I spoke with my father and told him about the book. My father feels that Dewey embellished some particulars in the book, but he wouldnt specify exactly what was exaggerated. My mother hates Dewey and has called him ''the devil incarnate''. Such is the nature of a left of center liberal.

    What Clarridge did with the Central American situation was his crowning achievement .

    You might want to take note of Dewey's predictions and warnings at the end of the book which was published in 1999--Islamic terrorism is coming to the United States.

    For those of you disloyal creeps that deride Dewey Clarridge--what have you done to protect the United States? Gone to a peace proest in the park or something? Please take note that since what Mr. Clarridge suggested has fallen out of favor, our security and economic situation has gotten worse.
    34 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2014
    This former CIA agent has an easy story telling way of writing. The information he provides is easy to follow and fascinating. I had a hard time putting this down because I wanted to know what was going to happen. His information adds a different view of news stories I remember being big stories in the past.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2012
    A first hand account that will forever dwell in the annals of American history for it's candor, straight forwardness and non abashed honestly. From covert activities in the Middle East, shaping the direction of democracy and politics in Europe in addition to influencing patriotic yet daring engagements in South America, this book is undoubtedly a must read for any National Security practitioner.
    It would be naive to assume treachery, evil, and state actors determined to undermine freedom do not exist in a coordinated manner. A realistic yet open account of events by someone in the tranches brings the reader close to candid facts yet leaves room for you to draw your own conclusions. A must read indeed.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022
    The book sheds a lot of insight on some of the important issues of the day. Interesting to read if you were an adult during the 1960-1980’s.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2017
    " What would Dewey do? "
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2014
    Good read. The author could have condensed it down a bit. Some chapters just repeated previous information. But overall it was an enjoyable read.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2011
    Oliver North called Duane Clarridge the "real" James Bond. When you read Mr Clarridge's book, you will know why he said it. Mr. Clarridge tells the true to life career he had in the CIA from the time he was recruited into the Agency all the way through his larger than life career with them. This is not a book of fiction. He tells what he can without jeopardizing National Security in any way and is still known for his expertise in international affairs and politics. An amazing book. I highly recommend it.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2019
    Book offers excellent insight into covert action strategies. It is a must read for people who think the media and politicians aren't adroitly (and easily) manipulated by enemy factions.
    3 people found this helpful
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