The Recruiter

Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence

By: Douglas London

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

This revealing memoir from a 34-year veteran of the CIA who worked as a case officer and recruiter of foreign agents before and after 9/11 provides an invaluable perspective on the state of modern spy craft, how the CIA has developed, and how it must continue to evolve.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a modern-day spy, Douglas London is here to explain. London’s overseas work involved spotting and identifying targets, building relationships over weeks or months, and then pitching them to work for the CIA - all the while maintaining various identities, a day job, and a very real wife and kids at home.

The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence captures the best stories from London's life as a spy, his insights into the challenges and failures of intelligence work, and the complicated relationships he developed with agents and colleagues. In the end, London presents a highly enjoyable insider’s tale about the state of espionage, a warning about the decline of American intelligence since 9/11 and Iraq, and what can be done to recover.

©2021 Douglas London (P)2021 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

"Douglas London draws the reader deeply into the world of CIA operations officers, and in his well-written, clear-eyed account he sheds considerable light on the hitherto murky world of CIA operatives in the field. It is a fascinating read." (Peter Bergen, author of The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden)

Liberal but interesting

Definitely an underhanded passive aggressive hit piece on the republicans that had been president during London’s career.

Insight

Insight for someone who served in the CIA operationally for 30 years should place this book in the same league as “To Catch a Spy” or “The Art of Intelligence” and it just isn’t. Insight into the complex relationship between politics and the IC is always of interest, but the this book just finishes on a “I hate Trump” rant. The author doesn’t have to like or dislike certain presidents, but somehow after 30+ years that is the ONLY political insight he is able to provide.

An axe to grind

The book is one half of an instructor speaking to a new class of trainees and the other half bearing witness against those colleagues that sent him to teach. Worth listening to since noise from the back of the room can still be a conversation just beyond earshot.

Fascinating book full of thrilling spy stories

Recruitments, handling agents, avoiding surveillance and other scenes depicting the real life of a CIA case officer. Much of it are dramatically different than what you would believe out of watching spy movies. This book is a pleasure to listen to, the writing is sharp, the stories well-paced and the narrator is excellent.

I illustrated this into fun comics while I listened!

I, absolutely, positively loved this book! Douglas London is the GOAT. Dale is the Blair Witch! 5 stars. Woo! Great book! So well done!

Interesting in depth view with good perspective

Interesting in depth views with good perspective on subject matter. First-hand knowledge was also interesting to listen to.

OPS Primer with a good dose of Political Intrigue

Great description CIA approach to human intelligence operations by a lifelong practitioner. Unfortunately, the author serve it up with a dose of internal and external political commentaries. More interesting is what is not said, than what is said regarding political appointee vs careerist interaction. His introduction make this very clear in describing the CIA’s bureaucratic review, redactions and (I suspect) insertions. Well worth the read/listen for understanding CIA human intelligence operations. I hope the author found this cleansing, so as to land back into open society.

Solid

Nothing really new or not able to be found in several other books. Interesting perspective in the last several chapters. Worth the time.

Exceptional Read

The Recruiter is a fascinating account of a very well lived life in the intelligence world by the author. As a former Marine and fan of the Intelligence Community the book was spot on in uncovering what political influence and patriarchal attitude has done to diminish impartial intelligence collection. It reveals how people within the CIA put their careers and self serving interest above the needs of our country. It also confirms to me as an African American how racism and prejudice is par for the course in the intelligence community. I appreciate the authors candor and no holds barred criticism of the CIA, along with his takeaway on how the ship could be righted. He is correct in saying that we as a country have taken our eye off the ball of internal threats to concentrate on threats from abroad. The enemy is within our midst. I hope we figure it out before it’s too late.

Great stories and perspective from a CIA operations officer

Loved the operational stories from Mr. London. Many of them steeped in humor, ops mishaps, and danger, to include being threatened with assassination by a violent agent. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.