Gray Work

Confessions of an American Paramilitary Spy

De: Jamie Smith

Narrado por: Jeff Gurner

In this unprecedented audiobook, a paramilitary contractor with more than two decades of experience gives us a firsthand look into the secret lives of America's private warriors and their highly covert work around the world. Author Jamie Smith has planned and executed hundreds of missions on behalf of government agencies and private industry in some of the world's most dangerous hot spots - and lived to tell the tale.

They are elite warriors who run highly dangerous missions deep inside foreign countries on the brink of war. Jamie Smith knows these men well. Not only is he one of them, but he was the founding director of one of the most successful global, private military contracting firms. For the first time, he breaks his silence, pulling back the curtain to reveal in raw, intimate terms exactly what paramilitary spies and operators like him do when the government cannot act or take public responsibility.

Combining the thrilling narrative of an international spy thriller with bracing boots-on-the-ground realism, Gray Work follows Smith through grinding CIA training and his career as an operative, his work with Blackwater Security, and the creation of his own successful company. Here is the grit and gristle of modern warfare, from espionage and assassinations, rescues and renditions; from the dark corners of the Arab Spring and the fall of Qadhafi to black ops; from Syria to Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and beyond. Smith has fought terrorists and won; he was ambushed on a mission in Pakistan and took a bullet through his shoulder and to his back and subsequently survived a grueling mountain trek that almost cost him his life.

As founding director of Blackwater Security and then as head of his own company, Smith has helped shape a decade of war. His book powerfully illustrates how the men who serve in this gray area between the public and private worlds are transforming the art and science of modern warfare.

©2015 Jamie Smith (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Great book

This is a look into a the way the world really works. while we enjoy our pseudo peaceful existence, the brave few, go through he'll and back to help preserve our fragile day to day journey.

Our complex world

When you think you have this confusing world figured out along with all the senseless fighting. Someone comes along makes is good part of it make sense.

interestin insight about things you should know

the narrator is fitting for this story. Jamie is a patriot in the truest sense.

great inside behind the scenes book

I know a lot of covert missions go on around the world by United States intelligence agencies and contractors. it was nice to hear some of the stories on how they pulled some of the things off that they did without compromising real world activity

Great Story Full of Humor

Jamie Smith comes across as an a regular guy doing extraordinary things. I felt like I was sitting around the Thanksgiving table listening a family member tell the story of one man's attempt, to be part of a bigger team, to help save lives. I laughed out loud multiple times and enjoyed the ordinary-ness of a man who loves God, his wife, children, his country and the world.

Possibly fiction

I was looking forward to a non fiction story, after researching a bit I am on the fence. It was entertaining. Like expecting to dr no a coke and having a sip and it root beer

Honesty

Great book love to read more, thriller page turner. Could not put this book down.

Best book to read before entering an Intel Job

If you want to get an idea of what it's like to own private intelligence and security company or become a paramilitary contractor, this book is the best one to read, in fact it might be one of the only books of its kind as the story of this man is a unique one!

Deceptive but Moderately Entertaining

The man reading this audio book is excellent. The author, on the other hand, is deceptive at best. There is a reason our wonderful country is hated, he is the reason. Claims to be a mult-millionaire.. .. I don't think so. He lost a law suit for swindling an elderly couple. He brags of ripping off 3rd world countries too. According to him, he trained the Army, Navy, Airforce and the Marines. Ultra right wing politics, you bet. I guess it's a good thing he is also minister who marries couples. Book is mildly entertaining. He should have just written it as fiction.

Great book

The narrators long dragged breath was a little distracting otherwise great book. I’d recommend to friends.