A Spy For All Seasons : My Life in the CIA

Rating:
Summary: A top rate spy and patriot who was sold out by politics.
Review: A spy can only be a spy when he can spy effectively. I worked in NSA and Naval Intelligence for several years and I can certify that Dewey saw the transition from what once was an effective and respected clandestine service in the CIA to a time when being a spy was equal to being subhuman. American culture changed and the notion of secrecy and intelligence changed. The injection of "ACCOUNTABILITY" virtually eliminated America's espianage capabilities. Dewey knew his job probably better than anyone in the CIA. This book offers up the true to life dynamics that reverberate within the halls of the American intelligence community and in the life of a real spy. Just like in other large organizations, when something goes wrong somebody has to take the fall. Dewey, Oliver North and many others were duped by the Reagan administration but Dewey remained a patriot throughout it all. Espianiage, wars, insurgency and counterinsurgency are at best messy operations but are sometimes necessary to achieve an end. This book is a must read for anyone serious about understanding the world of intelligence and espianage. Dewey was truly a spy for all seasons.

Rating:
Summary: Dewey was one of the last and best of the real operatives.
Review: Duane "Dewey" Clarridge is old school CIA. He came up through the organization and knows the operations directorate from top to bottom. He survived the "reorganization" by a certain admiral who gutted the directorate and went on to rise to the top of his field. When Dewey speaks, he tells the story in the vernacular of the old CIA. The agency operates under a completely different set of rules now and the experience level of those who make the calls and do the work is not as high as it was in the "old days." Long time students of American intelligence are well aware of this. Students who are just starting to study the apparatus would do very well to read this book while trying to understand the genesis of our current legislative controls over intelligence. Technology is not the answer to every intelligence question. Sometimes you have to do it the old fashioned way. And sometimes that makes our political element a bit nervous. Dewey's career ended too soon.

Rating:
Summary: A true American patriot
Review: This was a very good book about a good man who got jilted by a system that was skewed to the left. This is a great book to read in these times due to the fact that the times could somewhat be compared. He should be a model for all Americans that to fight a menace such as terrorism or Communism you have to take the fight to them.

Rating:
Summary: At least it is a good read
Review: To my knowledge, there is one mistake to point out in the synopsis. I do not beleive the author ever reached the level of Deputy Director of the CIA. The book is a good read, however, it is also a little sensational. Readers should remeber that is only one man's story, and there are many other sides.