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86th out of 180 books
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64 voters
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Ghost: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent
by
Fred Burton
For decades, Fred Burton, a key figure in international counterterrorism and domestic spycraft, has secretly been on the front lines in the fight to keep Americans safe around the world. Now, in this hard-hitting memoir, Burton emerges from the shadows to reveal who he is, what he has accomplished, and the threats that lurk unseen except by an experienced, world-wise few.
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Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
June 3rd 2008
by Random House
(first published 2008)
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Ghost had some interesting contents. For people who have read espionage 'nonfiction' there will be things everyone's read several times -- discussions of dead drops, brush passes, surveillance and evasion. There's a couple of intriguing passages that I haven't read anywhere else -- especially speculation about the death/assassination of Zia in Pakistan. And the book brings back a lot of memories about how we viewed terrorism in the 80s.
However, the book is short, and quite short on ...more
However, the book is short, and quite short on ...more
At first the premise for the book seemed appealing. Hearing about the life of a counterterrorism agent directly from the source seemed appealing. Like all books written by intelligence officers, it is understood that certain things just cannot be said or talked about for fear of it affecting current operations. This is a real story after all. Still, I jumped at the chance to read it not really sure what to expect. What I got was a bit dissapointing. It's intriguing to see what the author goes th...more
Where to begin with this book?
Fascinating content, candid description of how a the US counter-terrorism portion of the diplomatic service originally had 3 overworked agent, 2 of them fresh out of training. Interesting anecdotes about the writer's career.
However, two huge flaws:
(1) Cluttered writing
The author repeats himself ad nauseum - the type of warm jacket he wears, the car he drives, the fact that he sees the world as black and white and the nature of his work...more
Fascinating content, candid description of how a the US counter-terrorism portion of the diplomatic service originally had 3 overworked agent, 2 of them fresh out of training. Interesting anecdotes about the writer's career.
However, two huge flaws:
(1) Cluttered writing
The author repeats himself ad nauseum - the type of warm jacket he wears, the car he drives, the fact that he sees the world as black and white and the nature of his work...more
This is the first book i've read this summer, it's really interesting and it's a memoir by Fred Burton, who was recruited in the DSS and was assigned to it's counter-terrorism branch. Fred Burton at the time was surprised because counter-terrorism wasn't that big of a thing back then in the 70's but then as you read through the book you could see the growth of counter-terrorism and how the tactics used evolved. And you can also see Fred's expertise increases. You will see how both Fred Burton an...more
This book is interesting for a couple of reasons, one of which is that the author is from the State Department's security service, rather than the FBI or the CIA. In that there is a unique perspective.
The book actually focuses on the pre-9/11 efforts to combat terrorism, and so takes us back to the days of American hostages in Lebanon, Libya and Iran's state-sponsored efforts, and in the author's opinion, some Soviet efforts against the Pakistanis. While not earth-shattering in any...more
The book actually focuses on the pre-9/11 efforts to combat terrorism, and so takes us back to the days of American hostages in Lebanon, Libya and Iran's state-sponsored efforts, and in the author's opinion, some Soviet efforts against the Pakistanis. While not earth-shattering in any...more
I enjoyed most of this book, a memoir by a former Diplomatic Security Service Agent. Mr. Burton writes in the crisp clear voice of someone who has been there done that and has the T-shirt to prove it.
In highlighting his career Mr. Burton adds depth to my memories of the newspaper coverage of those events but nothing that is really new. The downfall of the book is the last few chapters. In those chapters he falls into that seemingly all to common complaint the 'Bureaucracy' hinde...more
In highlighting his career Mr. Burton adds depth to my memories of the newspaper coverage of those events but nothing that is really new. The downfall of the book is the last few chapters. In those chapters he falls into that seemingly all to common complaint the 'Bureaucracy' hinde...more
Great book, if you want to know just how long we have been fighting the war on terrorism in America, here's your book. This man, who runs www.stratfor.com, was part of the second group of counter-terrorism agents. There was one man before him and countless have followed in his footsteps and protocols. This gave me an entirely new appreciation of the work our counter-terrorism agents have to do both at home and abroad. Highly recommended. The ONLY reason I gave this four stars was because it ...more
The writing style of this book is dry at times but the information it contains is very worthy of being read. It is so easy to be critical of the threat assessment processes that we hear about on the news. We grumble about the inconveniences caused us because of security screenings at airports. When the stark reality is that these hard working individuals are expected by us to be 'all knowing' and to catch terrorists before they are able to disrupt our lives. I can't imagine the stress of liv...more
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Everyone remembers where they were on 9/11 when we came under attack. That moment in history will never be forgotten. Everything changed for America—and the world—on that day. The devastation hurled upon us by nineteen al-Qaeda terrorists was an act of war. Tragically, counterterrorism experts around the world knew terrorists would try to strike like this. Agents also knew they might not be able stop it. They were right.
Most of us will never know how many times potential tragedies like...more
Most of us will never know how many times potential tragedies like...more
The information presented is interesting and Burton has worked some major cases, which is the only reason I scored the book it as highly as I did. However, Burton is not a good writer. He is a self-congratulatory cowboy who uses cutesy nicknames ("The Dark World" for anything spy-related, for example) that make it hard to take him seriously. He doesn't try to present a nuanced view of terrorism. The terrorists are all bad, he is ostensibly all good, and that's the end of it as far ...more
Meh - mildly entertaining, fast read. There are some interesting revelations here - not sure how good it is for one to know too much about what's going on in our security community, but don't worry as this only tells you a few good nuggets. Hard to get over Burton's self-congratulatory/important voice, though. His heroic tone and obvious need to make people aware of his formerly secret national security efforts is tough to get past. The book is full of platitudes.
Jason
added it
Fred Burton sheds a lot of light on terrorism near the end of the Cold War in the late 1980's. It reads quick like a diary. The only thing was that the author throws around a lot of acronyms and spook lingo, but is inconsistent in translating for us civilians so you have to figure out (or look up) what he means. I've grown to appreciate the need for guys like Fred Burton and I wish I could buy the guy a drink one day to show thanks.
An interesting foray into the dark world of counterintelligence by a member of the DSS. They protect US diplomats and embassies, as wel as visiting dignitaries, and Burton was on the groundfloor of antiterrorist activities. It scares you when you see how ill-equipped we were to handle the emerging terrorist threats. This book focuses mostly on the 80s and early 90s: the hostage crisis in Lebanon, the Libyans, the assassination of Pakistani leader Zia, Lockerbie, and the first WTC bombing, and th...more
Lisa
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in memoirs, government, intrigue
Shelves:
i-have-or-would-re-read,
best-of-the-best
Burton was one of the very first counterterrorism agents in the US. He believes that knowledge is power, so he talks about practical ways to make oneself safer in the modern world, as well as divulging a lot of juicy stories about his past experiences (which are no doubt now de-classified).
Burton now works in the private sector doing the same sort of work, making people safer.
Burton now works in the private sector doing the same sort of work, making people safer.
Good book, especially if you want to see "behind the scenes" at some of the work done by special agents of the Diplomatic Security Service. The prose is a little plain - it's almost as if the writer were making notes in his police journal, rather than writing a story. That said, the content makes up for any of the other shortcomings.
If I could give this book a 3.5 I would. It started out very slow for me. But picked up later on. It was fascinating insight into the life of a spook and how the DSS as changed in the past couple of decades and why.
Good insights into the Iran-contra affair, first bombing of the WTC, and multiple plane bombings.
Good insights into the Iran-contra affair, first bombing of the WTC, and multiple plane bombings.
I read this because of the AC Common Reader program's 2011 theme "9/11: Where are we now?"
It was a good start, but I tired of the cat and mouse approach to reading it. I did learn a lot about the 'Dark World' and really do appreciate the information in the book. I skimmed the last two chapters and cried in the epilogue.
It was a good start, but I tired of the cat and mouse approach to reading it. I did learn a lot about the 'Dark World' and really do appreciate the information in the book. I skimmed the last two chapters and cried in the epilogue.
Interesting book but it is pretty obvious he is talking himself up a lot. Yes, I am sure he was involved in the world events that he describes but he is making a mountain out of a mole hill. Read it if you are interested in the US Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security but realize it boarders on fiction.
I had high hopes for some real-life spy action in this book. There is some of that, but not enough to make it a thrilling read. It was interesting, and I learned some about the inner workings of the DSS. The author's clear conservative bias pulled me out of the text fairly often and was annoying.
Memoir of a State Department anti-terrorist agent in the '80's and 90's.
A grim but fascinating reminder that the war on terror has been going on for a long time, and we're losing, thanks in part to politics interfering with goverment agencies doing their work.
A grim but fascinating reminder that the war on terror has been going on for a long time, and we're losing, thanks in part to politics interfering with goverment agencies doing their work.
Behind the scenes of our intelligence groups. I learn some history about what is really going on instead of what is on the news. I like the up front and personal accounts. This guy checks out leads on terrorism to see if they are credible or not. Very good.
This book was at times both interesting and intensely boring. It didn't coincide with some of the things I believe about the intelligence and "dark" world, so it read a little like fiction to me. It was very interesting though, and I enjoyed it.
Non-fiction but well written (apparently without ghost writer) account of a career in U.S. government surveillance and "HUMINT" (jargon for human intelligence).
Covers some key events in recent history ('88 downing of plane bearing Pakistan's Zia, first bombing of WTC in '93).
Not too long or too technical. Provides fascinating fundamentals of the the national security spy industry. Shows the industry's evolution into the computer age.
I really appreciated that author F...more
Covers some key events in recent history ('88 downing of plane bearing Pakistan's Zia, first bombing of WTC in '93).
Not too long or too technical. Provides fascinating fundamentals of the the national security spy industry. Shows the industry's evolution into the computer age.
I really appreciated that author F...more
A look through the eyes of an agent for the Defense Security Service and all the stress and drama it entails. There are not many gritty details, but considering his work was classified, that's not too surprising. Nonetheless the book gave me a new appreciation for what counter-terrorists do to keep people safe.
Burton's memoir of counter terrorism is like sitting on the stairs and secretly listening to the adult's uncensored talk downstairs. Interesting insights, although at times a little self serving. Otherwise recommended reading.
This book blew my mind. Fred Burton's stories from his career in counterterrorism, especially in the 1980s, are amazing. I don't read much non-fiction, but I'd recommend this book to anybody.
Pretty good book about the early days of chasing terrorists. Can scare the crap out of you realizing what goes on out there. A bit too personal, but interesting. Good book.
Interesting perspective on behind the scenes of early counterterrorism efforts in 1980s responding to bombings in Beirut, the disco in Berlin as well as responding to the airplane crash in 1988 that killed General Zia and much of Pakistan's military leadership.
The book provides a street level view of the day to day work that goes into counterterrorism.
The book provides a street level view of the day to day work that goes into counterterrorism.
A fascinating look at the State Department's counterterrorism unit's evolution from three guys in a basement in the early '80s to a major operation.
Interesting insights into understaffed State Department's efforts to create counterterrorism processes and procedures to deal with the new threats.
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