Customer Reviews

Agents of Innocence: A Novel

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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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.

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

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.

I have an extensive background in security and intelligence and there is no finer fiction available about the CIA and the Middle East during the 1970's-1980's. It is considered to be the most accurate and realistic book of its kind, and it has maintained its ranking on the mandatory reading list of those in the field for over two decades. The fact that it is also a truly outstanding read goes without saying!!

Read the review of author's newest book in WSJ and bought a used paperback of "Agents of Innocence" last week. LeCarre's works top my lists, and former CIA Director Woolsey's quote in the review about his two favorite spy novels being "Spy Who Came in From the Cold" and "Agents of Innocence" was enough for me to track it down.

It is a fantastic read with a blending of history, fact and fiction. The author's knowledge of the Middle East, the players, and their ancient battles for this ancient land was very similar to LeCarre's grasp of the Cold War.

What struck me over the head was the powerful letter from the agent to a former case officer at the end -- although the book was written 20 years ago, it could have been written yesterday!

Amazing read. I just finished reading this book, and I am very much planning to read more of David's novels (as this was the first one I've read).
From beginning to end nothing can be assumed in this book. It gave a very realistic feel to the spy game and to middle east politics. Though it takes places years ago the story could have taken place today. It's sad to see how little has changed in this area of the world.
Agents of Innocence gives the reader a inside look at the geopolitics of the middle east and how the CIA, Mossad, Fatah and other groups operate and interoperate. Very good morale tale, and ending. I just loved it. Thanks David for a great book and some very fine writing and for my friends who gave it to me as a christmas present.
How well you know I'd love this book.

I stumbled on Mr. Ignatius last year and was sufficiently impressed with his writing to read all his novels in print. Since I'd been reading about the Middle East extensively for a couple of years, especially the history of American involvement in support of Israel, I found this novel particularly interesting. Mr. Ignatius' book may not be history, but it surely has the ring of truth in its depiction of how American interests in the region influenced its relationship with Arabs in Lebanon and elsewhere. There is little wonder in my mind that Americans are held in disrepute by so many in Arab countries. We've earned it by both our actions and our failure to act. We may like to depict ourselves as the honest broker, the defender of liberty, but it is only a naive person unfamiliar with history who can voice such an opinion with a straight face. This book is worth reading. His other books are entertaining as well.

This book was recommended on NPR by George Tenet, the current Director of the CIA. He said it was the best example of what CIA spies actually do. This is a true page-turner. Another book by Ignatius', A Firing Offense, is also excellent. I loved it.

CIA operative Tom Roger's work in Lebanon (from the 1960s to the 1980s) is this book's basis. It is no wonder that this is reputed to be required reading at "The Farm" due to the author's understanding of Lebanese politics, his apparent understanding of a case officer's acitivities, and the continuing grim relevance of terrorism.

It will help you understand why the CIA and Mossad can be such antagonists at times.

Two downsides to the book: some of the substance is offset by gratuitous sexual content, which in parts makes it seem more like a trashy summer romance novel than a potential intel classic. Also, there could have been some more character development, especially with some of the major players.

As a fan of both spy novels and middle eastern politics, this book hits home in both departments. Ignatius has a good knowledge of the middle east - as evidenced by the details. For example, the main character uses typical Arabic idiomatic expressions which are indispensible for speaking Arabic. And he uses a lot of cultural references such as one of the most famous Arabic singers - Fairuz.
It's also a great insight into how the US works in the middle east. "Why would they think we'd screw them over?" The American agent asks. "Because they're not stupid!" His overbearing (and hilarious) boss yells back at him.
And a main point of the novel is a good lesson about middle eastern politics for Americans, Israelis, and Arabs especially - that the US will always take Israel's side in the end.
Overall the novel is very readable and has a nice flow to it. It seems like something he thought up in his head first, (while working as a journalist in Lebanon) then put it all on paper in one smooth sitting.