Inside the CIA's Dysfunctional Intelligence Culture by Ishmael Jones This book is a basic biography of an undercover, human intelligence operative who used the cover name Ishmael Jones.  It focuses on the way the Central Intelligence Agency handles overseas, human intelligence and generally operates as the usual government-based, inept bureaucracy.  It's either the total truth (somewhat likely) or a disinformation front to make the Agency seem basically harmless (also likely).  Which it is would be up to the reader. I personally think it's a mix of both. The book is very engaging with a lot of detail (again, in general terms, no secrets are divulged or names given) on how foreign intelligence operations and human resource gathering works.  Or at least how it should work, were the bureaucrats in the CIA not so keen on making life miserable for everyone on the street. Ishmael, as an operative, generally self-financed his operations since the Agency was routinely a year or more behind on payroll and reimbursements.  His account is pretty damning for the company.  He financed everything through his "daylight job" as a software systems salesman. The book is a great read and well worth the effort.  Whether you believe it to be propaganda or not, ...

by Jeff Shaara This is a historical novel of the first World War.  Normally, I'm not really into historical novels, but apparently Jeff Shaara is well-known for them - mostly regarding the Civil War.  I haven't read any of his other books, but can tell you that this one... it's awesome. The story proceeds with several perspectives, at first centering on the air war and some of the heroes we all know by name from WWI: Richthofen, Lufferby, etc.  Most of the book's centerpiece is on the American experience during the war, so there is not too much trench warfare (and all of its horrors). What the book does do, though, is show the background behind the war as we know it.  Richthofen, for instance, was not the "hero a-hole" we probably think of him as being.  He was a man doing his job and who loved to fly airplanes.  General Pershing, another main focus in the book, was a great general not because he was tactically superior to his foes, but because he was able to overcome so many of the obstacles that his own government and (supposed) allies threw before him. The book's focus is on the various aspects of warfare from ...

Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills is the story of Carlos Hathcock, a hick from Kentucky who, through his love of shooting and his dedication to the Marine Corps, became the Corps' number one sniper. A part of the founding of the Marine Corps' sniper team and training programs, he began to exemplify what a Marine sniper is meant to be.His life itself is very interesting, his exploits in Vietnam were great, and his personal sacrifices and perserverance are breath taking. His tragic life end and new beginning are definitely something for all of us to learn from. His stoic dedication to his love of craft are something we should all remember. Carlos Hatchcock was one of the greatest of Americans, starting from nothing and becoming a legend.DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0No related posts.