This book was informative and a fun read to a point, but I found myself getting impatient halfway through. While some of the insider info on CIA training was interesting, I found Moran's somewhat superior attitude annoying, and the critique of the CIA seemed petty, such as her repeated mention of sexism, which as far as I could tell appeared very mild compared to the rather more extreme reports of sexism I've read about in other organizations such as police departments and fire houses. In the CIA, it seems like if you can do the job, you're in -- not always so in many of these other organizations which are much more male-oriented.
It's a good book to take a look at if you want to get some inside info for research purposes, for writing or creating characters, but I didn't find it all that strong of a critique on the CIA or particularly
informative about the organization at all (of course, I'm sure there
was only so much she could tell). There are probably better ones out
there. Moran does have some online interviews I found through YouTube,
though, and those were interesting to listen to and actually offer a
bit more information than what was found in the book.
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Guest Blog: Oct 15, Vivi Anna
Hi Sam - it's funny but I prefer fictional books about the
CIA and other agencies to the real thing, maybe because I want to keep the few illusions I have left
Also in my mind the fact that she was a spy doesn't necessarily mean she knows how to write about it, just that she needs money and someone has persuaded her it can sell
or is that just TOO cynical a viewpoint?
I think I'll give this one a miss, given that I don't need it for research purposes
Hugs
Sadhbh
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