Rating: 
Summary: The words inscribed in the lobby are cruel fiction.
Review: The actual quote "and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free", is chiseled in stone and stands across from an artificial star constellation representing those who died in service to this Country. The perfectly aligned stars are as unlike the sky's night-lights as the words regarding truth apply to the Agency on whose walls they are inscribed. Unlike real stars 38 of 71 of these are unnamed, they rise above a book that documents in writing the names of only 33 who have fallen.This book is worthy of high praise, for the Author who brings us the story, the Families that told of their experience in spite of warnings not to, and the men and women who were the initial victims in these events. I use the qualifier as long after they had died serving this Country their Family and Friends often continued to suffer for decades. I don't believe that secrecy in protection of our well-being and our goals as a Country are by definition wrong nor are they in dispute in this book. What is at issue is what happens when a select group become the arbiters of what they believe is in the best interest of all, what they would like the truth to be. What is so sad and so angering is that these stories were not about the shading of the truth on some sort of grayscale rather the difference between the truth and lies, misinformation, what have you, that were at times were so absurd that only those who propagated them thought they would be believed. This book is a history lesson told by sharing the stories of men and women of the CIA and the Families they were apart of as Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Sons, etc. It also is a series of decisions and policies maintained to the very present that can only be thought of as cruel in light of the facts that are known. This is a sobering book, it is at times terribly sad, and at others will cause you to rage against what was done to these families. The men and women who worked for the CIA knew they would ask much of their Families, the CIA asked even more of the same people. I do not believe any of those who died or those who cared for them believed they would be subject to arbitrary neglect and abuse when their lives ended serving their Country. This is not a silly spy book. This is a book that confronts the reader with stories of men left to rot in prisons for the majority of their lives over semantics. This is about using secrecy as an excuse for avoiding the need to deal with problems, to avoid admitting error. Would you believe that 30 or 40 or more years is not long enough to stop the fiction that surrounded the deaths of these people? Even after the truth came about the denials of reality continued to the point that stretches the imagination. The first obligation of any agency is to the people it serves. Within reasonable parameters those who take high-risk covert assignments know that they and those that survive them will suffer unusual hardship. I do not believe they ever thought that hardship would extend to the level of unjustified cruelty as it repeatedly did for these Families. A debt is owed to those who are represented by stars etched in marble, to the Families that were left behind, and to the Author for bringing this book to the public's attention. Unconditionally highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Patriot Lives, Much Family Pain, and CIA Secrets
Review: The author was visiting CIA headquarters at Langley, Virginia one day during the Gulf War when his eye was drawn to an exhibit on the north wall of the lobby. "There, rising before me, was a field of black stars chiseled into white Vermont marble. To the left was the flag of the nation, to the right, the flag of the Agency. I drew nearer. Above the stars were engraved these words: 'IN HONOR OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THE COUNTRY.'" At that time, there were 69 stars. Below the stars was a glass case holding a book, The Book of Honor. Inside its open pages, were the years that each of the 69 had died, along with the names of 29 of them. Naturally, the author's curiosity was stirred. I am very grateful that it was, because otherwise I would not know the stories behind those lost lives, because Mr. Gup seems to have ascertained who all of these people were (even where the star was not identified). By uncovering parts of their stories, and of the families they left behind, their sacrifice becomes more meaningful. The uplifting part of this book is found in learning about the great patriotism, determination, dedication, and skill that those who died provided to their country. These were admirable people, and we should all be grateful for what they did for us. The heartbreaking part of the book comes in three ways. First, these people gave their personal lives in most cases secondary attention. That means that while they were helping us, their families were not seeing much of them. The need for secrecy made this worse by putting up invisible barriers. Second, the continuing need for secrecy meant that their families were often denied access to the facts of their death or recognition for what had been done. This made the pain worse. Third, these people often suffered greatly or died because of mistakes, a desire to save money, or because of politics. They deserved better from their country. The book is also like a mini history of the CIA, and you learn some details behind its successes and failures. This part needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, because it is hard to imagine that Mr. Gup's sources really knew or told him what really happened in many cases. Spying is also a family calling. You will be amazed at how many people marry other members of the CIA or have their children enter its service. That connection can make the pain of loss much greater. If you are like me, you will be stunned, shocked, and appalled by much of what is in this book. But although it will not be pleasant, you should read it. As witnesses to these histories, there may be some small way we can help reduce the risk that these losses will occur in the future. I hope you will write a review on this site to share your reactions after you do. I think we can assume that these comments will be read where they will do the most good. After you have finished thinking about this book, I suggest that you also examine your own life and think about areas where you are keeping unnecessary secrets. Where could letting go of some secrets be good for you and those you love?
Rating:
Summary: Patriot Lives, Much Family Pain, and CIA Secrets
Review: The author was visiting CIA headquarters at Langley, Virginia one day during the Gulf War when his eye was drawn to an exhibit on the north wall of the lobby. "There, rising before me, was a field of black stars chiseled into white Vermont marble. To the left was the flag of the nation, to the right, the flag of the Agency. I drew nearer. Above the stars were engraved these words: 'IN HONOR OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THE COUNTRY.'" At that time, there were 69 stars. Below the stars was a glass case holding a book, The Book of Honor. Inside its open pages, were the years that each of the 69 had died, along with the names of 29 of them.
Naturally, the author's curiosity was stirred. I am very grateful that it was, because otherwise I would not know the stories behind those lost lives, because Mr. Gup seems to have ascertained who all of these people were (even where the star was not identified). By uncovering parts of their stories, and of the families they left behind, their sacrifice becomes more meaningful. The uplifting part of this book is found in learning about the great patriotism, determination, dedication, and skill that those who died provided to their country. These were admirable people, and we should all be grateful for what they did for us. The heartbreaking part of the book comes in three ways. First, these people gave their personal lives in most cases secondary attention. That means that while they were helping us, their families were not seeing much of them. The need for secrecy made this worse by putting up invisible barriers. Second, the continuing need for secrecy meant that their families were often denied access to the facts of their death or recognition for what had been done. This made the pain worse. Third, these people often suffered greatly or died because of mistakes, a desire to save money, or because of politics. They deserved better from their country. The book is also like a mini history of the CIA, and you learn some details behind its successes and failures. This part needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, because it is hard to imagine that Mr. Gup's sources really knew or told him what really happened in many cases. Spying is also a family calling. You will be amazed at how many people marry other members of the CIA or have their children enter its service. That connection can make the pain of loss much greater. If you are like me, you will be stunned, shocked, and appalled by much of what is in this book. But although it will not be pleasant, you should read it. As witnesses to these histories, there may be some small way we can help reduce the risk that these losses will occur in the future. I hope you will write a review on this site to share your reactions after you do. I think we can assume that these comments will be read where they will do the most good. After you have finished thinking about this book, I suggest that you also examine your own life and think about areas where you are keeping unnecessary secrets. Where could letting go of some secrets be good for you and those you love?
Rating:
Summary: Sacrifice in Secrecy
Review: The sacrifices made within the book solidify the strengths inherent within the Agency. It is generally forgotten the heroicalness that permeates the souls of the demised. The book also reflects the high standards, moral courage and intellectual capacity officers in the Agency hold even as nothing is returned except a negative connotation. These beliefs should be invalidated and a more appreciative attitude should be taken. I humbly offer my condolences to the Agency and their families and reaffirm they did not die in vain. It has led me to thank these quiet soldiers every morning for the freedom they live and die for and to reevaluate the importance of their continuation.
Rating: 
Summary: Overall, A Fine Book
Review: This book certainly deserves praise for the author's dogged pursuit of the details of the lives represented by the Stars in the Book of Honor. It is a fitting tribute to the families of the fallen that Ted Gup brought to light the daring actions of those who were lost, but certain frustrations remain for me.
Most galling is Mr. Gup's treatment of the U.S.'s early relations with the People's Republic of China during his chapters regarding Hugh Redmond. Redmond was working under State Dept. cover and taken captive by the Chinese who kept him in a prison for 19 years. He was accused of espionage and paraded through a kangaroo court which of course threw the book at him. Even though Hugh Redmond spent the last 19 years of his life in a squalid prison in a hostile land,defiantly denying the espionage charges, Mr. Gup manages to make the PRC sound like the wronged party in all of this, because the BIG BAD U.S. was spying on it. First, the U.S. is perfectly within its rights to pursue its national interests and take any steps necessary to ensure the safety of its citizens and its employees. In addition, the U.S. is equally right to demand fair trials before a jury with counsel that actually speaks the language for any of its citizens held abroad. Mr. Redmond was convicted of espionage before he ever set foot in that "courtroom", and Mr. Gup chides the US and the Agency for continuing to deny what the apparently omniprescient Chinese already knew. Sure, Redmond was a spy. Sure, we both knew it. That doesn't excuse his treatment. During the cold war, diplomats suspected of espionage were dismissed--unharmed--from either the US or USSR. I guess that's a little too much to expect from a brutal regime that would eventually roll over its own people with tanks. But it doesn't give Ted Gup the right to excuse their behavior, either.
Other than that, this book is quite good. I could've done without certain elements of Gup's anti-Cold War agenda, however.
Rating:
Summary: Overall, A Fine Book
Review: This book certainly deserves praise for the author's dogged pursuit of the details of the lives represented by the Stars in the Book of Honor. It is a fitting tribute to the families of the fallen that Ted Gup brought to light the daring actions of those who were lost, but certain frustrations remain for me.
Most galling is Mr. Gup's treatment of the U.S.'s early relations with the People's Republic of China during his chapters regarding Hugh Redmond. Redmond was working under State Dept. cover and taken captive by the Chinese who kept him in a prison for 19 years. He was accused of espionage and paraded through a kangaroo court which of course threw the book at him. Even though Hugh Redmond spent the last 19 years of his life in a squalid prison in a hostile land,defiantly denying the espionage charges, Mr. Gup manages to make the PRC sound like the wronged party in all of this, because the BIG BAD U.S. was spying on it. First, the U.S. is perfectly within its rights to pursue its national interests and take any steps necessary to ensure the safety of its citizens and its employees. In addition, the U.S. is equally right to demand fair trials before a jury with counsel that actually speaks the language for any of its citizens held abroad. Mr. Redmond was convicted of espionage before he ever set foot in that "courtroom", and Mr. Gup chides the US and the Agency for continuing to deny what the apparently omniprescient Chinese already knew. Sure, Redmond was a spy. Sure, we both knew it. That doesn't excuse his treatment. During the cold war, diplomats suspected of espionage were dismissed--unharmed--from either the US or USSR. I guess that's a little too much to expect from a brutal regime that would eventually roll over its own people with tanks. But it doesn't give Ted Gup the right to excuse their behavior, either. Other than that, this book is quite good. I could've done without certain elements of Gup's anti-Cold War agenda, however.
Rating:
Summary: The Book of Honor, it is an honor to read it.
Review: This book rules! Please read it if you have any interest in the intellegence community. It is a fascinating set of accounts of the lives of men and women who died in the service of this great nation. Additionally, it is not the sort of book one reads all at once. It is best for long rides on the subway, airplane rides, long trips, and it is perfect for carrying around with you when you are sure you'll have time to read. I carry it where ever I go. PLEASE READ IT NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating topic, written well
Review: This book tells fascinating stories in intricate detail about people who died in service for their country. It humanizes these sometimes nameless stars and puts the history of the Central Intelligence Agency into perspective through its lost agents' lives. The author is not only an excellent writer, but also a great professor (I've been a student of his at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland). His writing style has a good rhythm and is enjoyable to read. In all, a great story told very well.
Rating: 
Summary: I welcome your comments and reflections.
Review: This book was written in the belief that secrecy can be and often is obsessive, that it created a crushing burden on the families of those who have lost loved ones in service to the CIA who were forbidden from speaking the truth for decades. In the overwhelming majority of instances the invocation of secrecy was abused. Whatever you, the reader, may think of the CIA or its actions historically, these lives and deaths have a place in public discourse. They belong first and foremost to the families they left behind, but also to history and the American public in whose service they gave their lives. Having spent the better part of four years researching and writing this book, I am keenly interested in readers' comments, whether supportive or critical. Yours in deep appreciation, Ted Gup.
Rating:
Summary: Lives of Secrecy
Review: This excellent book by Ted Gup is a great testament to those who have gave their lives for their country but their contributions could not be fully acknowledged. Those in our intelligence community know that if they die while executing their jobs then there is a good chance that their lives and their missions may never be fully disclosed by the government. Gup does extensive research in this book and uncovers information that the CIA would probably not want people to find out. He writes this book so the families of the dead will finally know what their loved ones died for. I reccommend this book to anyone with strong interest in intelligence and covert operations. Definitely one for your espionage literary collection.
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