Class 11: Inside the Cia's First Post-9/11 Spy Class

by T.J. Waters, Patrick Lawlor (Narrator)

Written by one of its own graduates, Class 11: Inside the CIA's First Post-9/11 Spy Class is a gripping insider's look at the first post-9/11 CIA training class—the most elite and secretive espionage training program in the country. Like all Americans, T. J. Waters was stunned, angry, and grief stricken by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. More than that, he wanted to take action to help prevent such an event from ever happening again. Waters was not alone. In the weeks following the attacks, the Central Intelligence Agency received over 150,000 resumés from people wanting to serve their nation as spies. More than one hundred students were admitted to the CIA's Clandestine Service to become Class 11, the first post-9/11 CIA training class. It was the largest and most diverse class in the agency's history. Joining Waters were a World Trade Center victim's fiancée, an NFL alumnus, a New York City comedian, a college athletics coach, a hostage negotiator, and a single mother. Class 11 is the real story of how this band of everyday Americans joined together to endure the challenge of a lifetime and serve their country. Against the backdrop of Osama bin Laden's videotaped taunts; the Washington, D.C., sniper attacks; and the loss of a CIA field officer in Afghanistan, Waters takes readers behind the scenes, where the trainees learned methods of subterfuge, mastering disguises, withstanding interrogations, and crossing into hostile territory without being detected. Class 11 is a fascinating and moving portrait of an extraordinary group of Americans with the courage and resolve to make a difference in the war on terror. BONUS Exclusive Author Interview "The classic movie interpretation of the spy world doesn't really reflect chasing Al Qaeda across the Afghan frontier."

Genres: Nonfiction, History

MP3 CD

First published June 15, 2006

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for an intelligence class, but I was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed getting an inside look of the CIA!

[Clark Goble · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a comprehensive examination of the CIA, this is not your book. Rather, this is book explores the training of a single CIA class. The 11th Class of spies was the CIA's first class following 9/11. What made this story interesting to me is that 9/11 marks a pivotal point in the history of espionage in out country. In all appearances, human gathered intelligence had failed us in a major way. This presented a choice for the CIA. Would they continue with business as usual or would they learn from their mistakes. This book explores that struggle by telling the story of the largest class of spies in CIA history. 

This book was a bit of a deviation for me. Most of the espionage titles I've read center around the Cold War Era. What surprised me was how much of the training and experiences of Class 11 seemed similar to what the CIA has always done. It seems to me that in many aspects, the CIA was playing catchup in an attempt to keep itself relevant. That was a bit of a disappointed. What wasn't disappointing, however, were the sacrifices and motivation of the would be Case Officers. If you've never read anything about the training of CIA Case Officers, you will find this book informative. You will learn what life is like on The Farm and how such training impacts the trainees and their families. 

I found this glimpse into the family life of the author very interesting. I'm not sure if T.J. Waters has written anything else, but I would be interested to see what his CIA life was life post training. 

[Zach Schiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boring by nature, since the author can't describe all the juicy stuff. Instead, he focuses on surveillance exercises and the failures and successes of the instructors. Still, an interesting look at The Farm.

[Frank Mihlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to see the kind of training CIA agents receive. Not a page turner, but provides enough information to allow an outsider to get into a glimpse into the kind of work that is required by a CIA field worker.

[Julia Chenoweth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not great. I didn’t find it engrossing but it was an interesting topic to read about.

[Rafael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, real insight into the author’s personal experience.

[Charlotte Clymer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's start with the good: there's plenty of interesting detail here about the CIA's training course for spies. That's the strength. You won't long for a fascinating narrative.

What hurts Water's telling of the CIA's first post-9/11 spy class is that it's abundantly clear he has a specific audience in mind: white, middle-aged men. That's not to say folks of all backgrounds won't enjoy the book, but it seems like every sentence is crafted to appeal to the same demographic who watches "Walker, Texas Ranger" and thinks a good sexist joke is the perfect way to start the morning.

Waters is likeable enough, and you can tell he makes an admirable effort to be inclusive of his classmates (for example, plenty of women feature in the course and several candidates with Arabic names are portrayed positively).

On the other hand, every other description of women in the CIA is laced with a femme fatale narrative. While some women in the course come across as brilliant and hard-working (and certainly equals), they're also constantly reduced to sex objects. It goes old pretty quick.

What also wears thin is the, for lack of a better term, "dad writing"... those eye-rolling one-liners that feel like rejects from a ho-hum episode of NCIS. At one point, I nearly stopped reading. I wasn't offended, but I was definitely annoyed.

Waters served his country with distinction, and for that, our nation should be forever grateful, but there are more than enough times during your reading that you'll wish a ghostwriter had taken a crack at this thing.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a cool look at the story of a guy who joined the CIA right after 9/11 and what he went through in training. Apparently, 90% of clandestine training is how to casually spot when you're being tailed on foot or in a car by someone, and lose them without making it look like that's what you're trying to do.

[Jake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read that explains a little about what goes on during training, but this guy struggled with some things that most dudes should not struggle with to pass. Interesting read if you are considering the field.

[Kinga · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting. I am curious why it was written. Why would someone train to be a CIA agent and then go and announce to the world that that is what he is?
Anyone?

[Mat Domaradzki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting look at what type of training goes on at the CIA.