The Literary Spy: The Ultimate Source for Quotations on Espionage & Intelligence [Hardcover]

Charles E. Lathrop (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0300103247 | ISBN-13: 978-0300103243 | Publication Date: October 11, 2004 | Edition: annotated edition

The Literary Spy provides a unique view of the intelligence world through the words of its own major figures (and those fascinated with them) from ancient times to the present. CIA speechwriter and analyst Charles E. Lathrop has compiled and annotated more than 3,000 quotations from such disparate sources as the Bible, spy novels and movies, Shakespeare’s plays, declassified CIA documents, memoirs, TV talk shows, and speeches from U.S. and foreign leaders and officials.
Arranged in thematic categories with opening commentary for each section, the quotations speak for themselves. Together they serve both to illuminate a world famous for its secrets and deceptions and to show the extent to which intelligence has manifested itself in literature and in life. Engaging, informative, and often irreverent, The Literary Spy is an exceedingly satisfying book—one that meets the needs of the serious researcher just as ably as those of the armchair spy in pursuit of an evening’s entertainment.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Books of quotations often showcase the most polished gems of thought by statesmen, writers and other luminaries. But Lathrop, a C.I.A. speechwriter, has a double mission in culling ‘quotables’ that shed light on the murky world of espionage: he wants to reflect both the wisdom and the ignorance of the guardians and pundits of "intelligence" throughout history. From J. Edgar’s sputtering about too much "damned coordination" in government to Nietzsche’s aphorism that "convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies," the quotations seek to capture the spirit of both the hapless and the hopeful, the visionaries and the obfuscators, the insiders and the observers. No source is too sacred or too lightweight; passages from the Bible and Shakespeare are printed alongside snippets from talk shows and James Bond movies. Lathrop carves the quotes into alphabetical categories, including "Assassination," "Ignoring Bad News" and "Weapons of Mass Destruction"—topics that will register with readers who are attuned to the current state of political affairs.
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Review

"The Literary Spy entertained, educated, and enthralled me. A magnificent tour de force."—David E. Murphy, former CIA Berlin Chief

"For anyone interested or wishing to make sense of the intelligence business, this is the book to read."—Oleg Kalugin, former KGB Major General

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; annotated edition edition (October 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300103247
• ISBN-13: 978-0300103243
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,128,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb resource for amateurs and professionals, October 8, 2004

By 

Maskirovka (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Literary Spy: The Ultimate Source for Quotations on Espionage & Intelligence (Hardcover)

I saw this book last night and snapped it up immediately. I have been an intelligence analyst for the government for a long time now, and I love using appropriate quotes to set off reports and presentations. Needless to say, "the Literary Spy" is jam-packed with them.

A few of the quotes aren't that striking, but a lot are. I particularly liked the sections about counterintelligence, deception, and traitors "in their own words."

I think this book is also a good one for the intelligence "buff" as well as people who just like pithy quotations. I imagine students writing papers about espionage would find it very useful as well.

In short, it's worth every penny, and I congratulate the author.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Resource!, March 5, 2005

By 

A Reader (Alexandria, VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Literary Spy: The Ultimate Source for Quotations on Espionage & Intelligence (Hardcover)

This is a rare type of book--unique, fun, and useful all at the same time. To my knowledge, no other book brings together so many quotes and comments about the world of intelligence. These quotes, along with Mr. Lathrop's comments, provide a guide to how intelligence works--or doesn't work--and will help educate anyone interested in spying and intelligence.

This is more than just another reference book filled with quotes, however. You can open it to any page, start reading, and quickly become engrossed. Soon, I suspect, most readers will find themselves jumping from one subject to another, and writing down titles of books that Lathrop draws from. It's addictive.

Finally, this book is fun. Lathrop has a sly sense of humor, and his quotes often are ironic or just plain funny; he displays a dry wit in his own comments, as well.

Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in intelligence, history, or current events.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Indispensable Reference, October 21, 2004

By 

crt-sort resident - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Literary Spy: The Ultimate Source for Quotations on Espionage & Intelligence (Hardcover)

A majority of Americans do not understand intelligence, given its necessarily sensitive and exclusionary nature. Greater news coverage of the subject, generally in the context of national security issues, does not appear to have enlightened a public that prefers to view things through an increasingly partisan political lens.

For those who do not subscribe to simplistic reductions of the complex ideas surrounding the theory and practice of intelligence, Charles Lathrop has compiled and annotated a solution in the form of The Literary Spy. LitSpy is a collection of over 3,000 quotations, infused with the wit and wisdom of the author. The result is a masterful collection of powerful ideas and observations articulated in a very memorable way.

Examples? The reader is treated to quotes from sources as diverse as the Bible and Socrates to the late Washington Post scribe and perennial CIA critic Mary McGrory. Better still, Lathrop uses his insider access as a CIA officer to provide quotes that we otherwise would not have access to. One especially memorable offer was solicited to the Agency by a dentist offering his services "for the interrogation of anybody you choose" in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Lathrop assures us the individual was not hired, despite the patriotic sentiments expressed in the e-mail.

From a structural standpoint, LitSpy is remarkably user-friendly. Its sixty-five categories of quotations are arranged alphabetically and can be accessed by subject or source index. Lathrop also includes a select bibliography for the reader. While he modestly states that his book "does not pretend to be comprehensive," it is difficult not to marvel at the breadth and depth of effort that went into this magnificent compilation made better by the humorous asides and insightful comments of this former military officer, analyst, speechwriter, and intel boss-jock shop honcho.

This book is for insiders and outsiders, critics and defenders, and should be on the shelf of anyone with any interest in the true nature of intelligence. Lathrop is to be commended for this unique contribution to the field of intelligence literature.