Agents of Innocence: A Novel [Paperback]

David Ignatius (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 1997

Now back in print: the "superlative spy novel" (New York Times) by the author of the red-hot thriller A Firing Offense.

Agents of Innocence is the book that established David Ignatius's reputation as a master of the novel of contemporary espionage. Into the treacherous world of shifting alliances and arcane subterfuge comes idealistic CIA man Tom Rogers. Ordered to penetrate the PLO and recruit a high-level operative, he soon learns the heavy price of innocence in a time and place that has no use for it.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The factional strife in Lebanon feeds on rumor, deliberate lies, and half-truths, and spawns mercenaries and agents of every ideological stripe. Most share a harsh morality that allows terrorism to advance. A very few others are committed to relationships built on trust, honesty, and a sense of mutual responsibility. One such is Tom Rogers, a CIA agent who penetrates a prime Palestinian unit and makes a secret agreement with a young deputy chief of Fatah intelligence. This first novel is a suspenseful account of the excruciating ambiguity of the undertaking. Ignatius, a former Middle East correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, writes with a fatalistic affection for his subject and deep understanding of its complexity. As a storyteller, Ignatius deploys drama, pace, and character to make this a spy novel of formidable power. Barbara Conaty, Library of Congress
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“An uncommonly informative and intriguing espionage thriller.” (Time )

“An unparalleled and hauntingly accurate portrait of how the intelligence game is really played.” (Bob Woodward )

“A first-rate achievement in the best tradition of Graham Greene.” (Los Angeles Times )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (September 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393317382
• ISBN-13: 978-0393317381
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Ignatius, a prize-winning columnist for the Washington Post, has been covering the Middle East and the CIA for more than twenty-five years. His novels include Agents of Innocence, Body of Lies, and The Increment. He lives in Washington, DC.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 82 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Topical Fiction May 7, 2002

By Glenn M. Frazier

Format:Paperback

In another time, David Ignatius's Agents of Innocence would be great escapist literature. In today's world, however, it is a gripping-and all-too haunting-tale of extreme relevance.

...

The tale is set primarily in the labyrinthine world of Lebanon in the 1970's and 1980's, and follows the career of the fictional CIA case officer, Tom Rogers. When Rogers arrives in Beirut, it is September 1969, the eve of the tragic implosion of cosmopolitan Lebanon. By the conclusion of the story, terrorists have brought the nation to its knees. Throughout it all, Rogers desperately tries to keep from being overcome by events as he develops "assets"-and relationships-in an attempt to keep tabs on the growing threat of militant radicalism. If you know your history, then I don't have to tell you that this is a tragic tale.

The author draws heavily from his experience covering the growth of terrorism in Lebanon for the Washington Post. To an extent, the book is a fictionalization of life of real-world CIA man, Robert Ames. Purportedly, this novel is on the reading list at "The Farm" (the CIA's training ground at Camp Peary near Williamsburg, VA), and CIA Director George Tenet himself recommended this book in an interview on NPR several years ago. On top of that, it also does an admirable job of making sense (as far as possible) of the wild and varied religious, cultural and political forces operating in the region today.

That being said, this is fiction, not journalism; while the history it covers is essentially true, it would be a good idea to do some non-fiction reading as well if you want to more fully understand the Middle East picture. Still, the glimpse it gives of life in the field is fascinating, and as entertainment it is an excellent read. The prose is straightforward, the plot is gripping, and the characters are believable and engaging.

In summary, I give this book four out of five stars. It is not wonderful literature, nor is it deeply researched history, but it doesn't attempt to be. It is immensely entertaining and at the same time lightly informative. So far, it is the only novel on my Warblogger's Bookshelf. James Bond fans should look elsewhere, mind you, but if you love Le Carre, you'll love this.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic novel obout CIA operations in the Middle East July 2, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Agents Of Innocense is guaranteed to be a page turner. It is a wonderful spy story. Being from Lebanon myself, I can tell that the author not only has spent a great deal of time living in the Middle East, but he shares a bond with its culture. I have read one other David Ignatius novel, A Firing Offence, and am reading SIRO now, and became fascinated by his writing style. It is very descriptive and elegant and it prepares the reader for the plot by charging the reader with emotions for and against all the characters of the story. Agents Of Innocence is a fantastic novel set in Lebanon describing very vividly the political atmosphere of the Middle East starting in the 60's and culminating with the explosion that destroyed the American Embassy in Beirut, as well as the changes in the CIA that lead to that. The events of the novel are from the point of view of a CIA case officer who loved the Middle East, understood its people and spoke their language fluently. He managed to penetrate the most dominant branch of the Palestinian resistance, and established relationships where none could ever have been conceived. Enjoy it

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate Depiction of CIA Operations June 25, 2003

By James Jones

Format:Paperback

I was first turned on to this novel by an actual CIA recruiter. He said that it was the most true to life representation of the lives of CIA operations officers. Ignatius' extensive research really rings through, and allows the reader to become immersed in a world of espionage, deceit, and betrayal. Highly recommended.