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The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence Hardcover – September 28, 2021

by Douglas London (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 236 ratings
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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 readable 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.
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  1. Print length
    432 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hachette Books
  4. Publication date
    September 28, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    6.4 x 1.55 x 9.35 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0306847302
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0306847301
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Want to know what it’s like to recruit foreign agents for the Central Intelligence Agency? Douglas London gives us a revealing look behind the curtain into the inner workings of America’s constantly evolving spy organization. As a thirty-four-year veteran of the Agency, seventeen years on either side of 9/11, Douglas is uniquely positioned to provide perspective on the CIA’s shift in focus from classified intelligence gathering to policy making to paramilitary operations to the political weaponization of intelligence. A fascinating and important read for us all."―Jack Carr, Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Devil’s Hand

“The Recruiter shares many great episodes from London’s life in the National Clandestine Service, excellent insights into the challenges and intricacies of intelligence work, and thoughtful accounts of the complicated relationships he developed with agents and colleagues. In the end, London presents a superb insider’s tale about the state of espionage, the challenges that American intelligence has experienced since 9/11 and Iraq, and what needs to be done in the coming years to ensure that America's intelligence agencies can provide our country's national security team with the intelligence they need.”
 ―General David Petraeus (Ret.), former Director of the CIA

"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

“The Recruiter is the most important book about the CIA in years. London warns that the core mission of espionage—gathering intelligence through the recruitment of foreign agents—has been swamped by counterterrorism and paramilitary missions. That constitutes a clear and present danger to the United States.”―Tim Weiner, author of The Folly and the Glory: America, Russia, and Political Warfare, 1945–2020

"Recommended for all espionage enthusiasts."―Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger and The Deep

“The Recruiter is one of the most interesting spy memoirs in a long time, filled with fascinating insights into a life convincing people to betray their country. Also an unflinching critique of the unsavory side of CIA culture.”―Ken Dilanian, NBC News

"[A] great new book.” –Laura Coates, CNN―Laura Coates, CNN

“Always read about spies written by spies.”―Tom Nichols, contributing writer at The Atlantic and author of the Peacefield newsletter

“Riveting…London has written a scorching portrait of what he sees as decades of CIA mismanagement, from a failure to prevent terrorist attacks on Americans abroad and at home, to not foreseeing the so-called Arab Spring or the rise of the Islamic State terrorist group until it was too late.  He describes how some of these senior officials made serious mistakes.”―SpyTalk

“A rich and candid look at the lives of CIA Operations Officers… providing also a critique of the current state of the Agency….London’s book provides a much needed, if complicated, look at what it takes to live and operate forever in the shadows….The Recruiter weaves together a number of fascinating threads to form a tapestry of human intelligence today….That London was able to get this book through the Agency’s review board is a miracle in and of itself. From the hiring and vetting of a potential professional trainee, through to their time on the “Farm” (the Agency’s Virginia training location) and onto their first overseas rotations, London offers the reader rich anecdotes from his own time as a new hire….The richness of London’s book is in these stories, which are raw and real, and highlight both the highs and lows of the life of an Operations Officer. It is rare that one sees the latter or hears about the challenges of a life abroad undercover….[I]nteresting core arguments about the state of the Agency at a policy-level, arguments which fully form by the end of the book….On finishing The Recruiter one can’t help but feel as though they’ve been recruited, in a way.”
 ―The Diplomatic Courier

“Many of us have wondered what it would be like to be a real spy….There could possibly be no better book to take us deep into this world than the latest release by Douglas London, titled The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence….London… shares highly personal and courageous details in this memoir, which makes for such a fascinating read.”―Robert Amsterdam, “Departures” podcast

"Broad-ranging, thoughtful, [London's] reflected on his career and the changes the agency [he] worked for has [gone] through."―SpyCraft podcast, The Spy Museum

"The Recruiter reads like a very well crafted memoir."
 ―"The San Francisco Experience" podcast

"Thoroughly enjoyed The Recruiter by Douglas London. Fascinating insights into life of [a] CIA
case officer from ground up--surveillance detection, cover, agent handling, liaison relationships, raising a family in a clandestine life, and how to persuade someone to betray their country."―First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11

“Fascinating detail about life inside CIA, and the challenges—and thrill—of HUMINT [human intelligence] work.”―Zach Dorman, national security supporter

“Douglas London’s The Recruiter is a rare treat, a book that captures the essence of intelligence work….The rewards of London’s career do not blind him to the reality of the world in which he moved. He can see his own agency with a clear eye, and his worm’s-eye view of the CIA post-9/11 makes for a sobering read….London is a smart, persuasive, and charming guide to what, for most people, is a hidden world.”―The Jewish Review of Books

“As juicy as CIA censors would allow.”―The Jewish Independent

“An enjoyable read that multiple audiences will find entertaining and useful…. The greatest value of the book is in gaining the perspective of a seasoned professional with vast experience at the ‘pointy end of the sphere.’… A captivating read… it raises important considerations and is a worthwhile read for multiple audiences.”―Inter Populum

About the Author

Douglas London is a retired Senior CIA Operations Officer, an Adjunct Associate Professor at Georgetown University's Center for Security Studies, and a Non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute.  He served predominantly in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Africa, including three assignments as a Chief of Station, the President’s senior intelligence officer at post, and Chief of Base in a conflict zone. Assignments at CIA Headquarters included executive positions at CIA's Counterterrorism Center, Information Operations Center, and Near East and South Asia Division. London was decorated with the CIA’s Career Intelligence Medal, the McCone Award, and multiple unit and individual citations.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Books (September 28, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0306847302
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0306847301
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1.55 x 9.35 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 236 ratings

About the author

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Douglas London

Douglas London
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Douglas London, author of “The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence,” Hachette Books, is a 34-year veteran of CIA’s Clandestine Service who retired in 2019. Mr. London spent the majority of his career overseas and served extensively across the Middle East, South Asia, the former Soviet republics and Africa, including three assignments as a Chief of Station and one as a CIA Base Chief in a conflict zone.

In addition to his overseas experience, Mr. London was a CIA subject matter expert in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, Iran, cyber and hostile environment operations in denied areas. He also served as an intelligence tradecraft instructor. During his service, Mr. London spoke Russian and French with professional competency, and Arabic with limited proficiency.

Since his retirement, Mr. London has taught intelligence concentration courses at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, is a non-resident fellow with the Middle East Institute, and writes frequently on national security topics. He has been a contributor for the New York Times, Foreign Policy, Politico, Just Security, the Hill, and the Middle East Institute. Mr. London has also appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox, NBC and ABC, and is frequently quoted by a wide range of national security reporters.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
236 global ratings
Insightful yet biased
3 Stars
Insightful yet biased
A very eye-opening and candid view of the inner workings of the CIAs clandestine services. The authors ability to relate personal experiences during his tenure as a case officer while maintaining imposed ambiguity was well done. However, his leftward progressive political leanings were blatantly evident, especially in the later chapters. This crated a very strong sense of bias which, in my opinion, tainted the overall book making me wonder if the author could have been objective and non-partisan during any point in his career. Interesting read none the less
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Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024
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IMO this is one of the best books in a generation written by an extraordinarily experienced case officer serving in a very difficult environment for a long period of time. London's discussion of the contact, development, and recruitment cycle along with the adjacent vetting for reliability, truthfulness, and productivity gives the reader a feel for the process rarely available. His fundamental conclusion that intelligence organizations are anchored in the recruitment of foreign spies is a lesson each generation apparently must relearn. This work is well worth a cover to cover read.
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Karl
5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Book
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2022
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If you are looking for a thriller about activities of CIA spooks and ghouls carried out by a James Bond-like hero, you will be disappointed by this book. Rather, it is a detailed but highly sanitized memoir of a retired CIA operations officer, who as a case officer recruited and managed foreign sources of information, called agents. Many of his deeds were fascinating, even if obscured by censorship. The real purpose of London’s memoir is his criticism of CIA’s leadership since 9/11, when its failure was admitted, but the correction of which put it on the wrong track toward the very existential crisis it sought to avoid.
His analysis of current CIA leaders and policies is sharp and believable. Some have argued that he is simply a whiner. While that may seem partially true, he is also occasionally critical of his own actions in the past, even to the point of suggesting his own performance that may have contributed to some agency failure. He emphasizes the weak point that CIA shares with any large bureaucratic human organization: the inclination of subordinates to please superiors at the expense of truth in order to rise in the hierarchy. He also complains about the current trend of avoiding risk to save one’s position, an especially unfortunate characteristic of a clandestine intelligence agency.
He is most entertaining when he writes about essentially holding two jobs – a day job as, say, commercial attaché in an embassy, wearing the requisite suit and tie, and stepping out at night in jeans, dark jacket and backpack to recruit and interview agents on the dark streets of often-hostile cities. His most personal chapter – even endearing – was the one in which he discusses raising five children who until teens really didn’t know what Daddy did for a living.
This is an important book, even sanitized. One hopes that it finds support in the active intelligence community at the highest levels.
15 people found this helpful
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Foodie
4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly good.
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
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Informative, interesting, etc.

Author comes off as a whiny malcontent, who thinks he’s smarter than everyone else. Maybe true; who knows.
2 people found this helpful
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P. H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling and Enjoyable Summer Read
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
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This book provides an honest, compelling and real insights into the CIA. It's an enjoyable and fun book to read; it's a page turner and the writing is superb. James Bond or Jason Bourne has nothing on Mr. "Douglas London". Thank you for your excellent service to the United States of America (and our allies), Mr. Douglas London. May the current CIA leadership and the Biden White House (and subsequent White House) heed some of your insights, suggestions and implement some of them for the love of our Country and those who live in America and Americans traveling and living abroad.
3 people found this helpful
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James C. Lawler
5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Inside Look at the CIA
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2021
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Doug London has written an outstanding inside look at the CIA from the perspective of a very talented and passionate Agency case officer. As a CIA case officer myself, I can assure you that Doug hits many of the same themes, which I would were I writing a memoir of my CIA service. He touches on the special techniques of recruitment of foreign spies, the exhilaration of doing so and our sacred commitment to the security of our covert sources as well as the occasional careerism of a very few (definitely not all) CIA operations officers. If his criticism is at times sharp, it's because it is a sadly accurate description of the best spy service in the world, which consists primarily of patriotic men and women but also a very limited number of officers interested in self-aggrandizement or possessing an overweening ego. Such is life in any large organization. Nevertheless, it is obvious, that Doug loves the Agency (and our country) so much that he believes it could be even better. I agree with his sentiments and feel this is a thought provoking and important book.
33 people found this helpful
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JT
3.0 out of 5 stars Acronyms Galore
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2022
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This writer knows his subject, but when he has to leave out actual names and places, it's too much for the reader to process. Me anyway!
2 people found this helpful
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Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars An Insider's View of CIA Clandestine Operations
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
I read this book as someone who retired from CIA as a technical officer not an operations officer. I really enjoyed his stories on recruiting spies - at least as much as he was permitted to write! He also impressed me as someone who loves spying for his country in order to protect it from adversaries.

On the negative side, I think he went a little overboard with the personal criticisms of other officers and management. I'm sure many of his remarks are true but that kind of poor behavior by his coworkers is nothing unique to CIA or government employment as it is quite common in private industry as well! I am referring to all the backbiting, kiss ass behavior, sleeping around, getting ahead not because of what you know or the merit of your work but WHO you know! Careerism. Hanging around the flagpole. It exists everywhere and in every workplace and that includes CIA.

Overall a VERY good book that should be required reading for all new Operations Officers at the Farm. HUMINT is always needed - especially in order to determine intentions and motivations of the enemy.
23 people found this helpful
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Benji
4.0 out of 5 stars Good info!
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2022
Almost all of this was an amazing view into an otherwise impenetrable organization. The real world comparisons to what we see from Hollywood was refreshing.

The only thing I didn't like was the ver clear political bias, which I'd have disliked if it went the other way too. No bias on my dislike of biasbias, if you will. Otherwise, was amazing.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

AmazonRandom
5.0 out of 5 stars To the reviewer calling this fiction...
Reviewed in Canada on December 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
You do realize that the author talks about in detail descriptions of things that obviously contain sensitive information in the security and intelligence world? Of course the author has to modify/redact details enough to end the tug-of-war between his publisher and former employer. We're lucky to even have this book. The details are fiction, but the naked elements and principles you extract is the non-fiction.

You aren't going to get high quality, sensitive intelligence off a friggen book on Amazon 🤣

Otherwise the entire espionage industry would collapse as you can just go on Amazon and read the latest disgruntled employee's rant about your target 💀
One person found this helpful
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Hans Rott
3.0 out of 5 stars Heavily censored
Reviewed in Germany on April 1, 2022
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I bought this book after reading insightful and very worthwhile commentaries by the same author on the CNN news website. Unfortunately the book had to be so heavily censored by the author's employers that not much specific substance remains. Not wanting to review a half-read book, I slogged through it to the end, and indeed, the closing chapters were the most timely and interesting. The publisher Hachette should know that there were a half a dozen grammatical errors or missing words in the text, maybe this is par for the course today. Or maybe it's the pandemic. The author is a true patriot who has worked hard to address and correct shortcomings in the CIA and related organizations. Those interested in the nitty-gritty of intelligence gathering would do better to stick to the novels of le Carré and Deighton.
One person found this helpful
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Richard G. St. John
5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Espionage
Reviewed in Canada on October 19, 2021
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Douglas London, a former CIA operations officer, has done a sterling job of describing how espionage - spies secretly stealing secrets - actually works. The book is a highly insightful rejoinder to the many silly fictions of screen and page which paint an entirely false picture of the craft of human spying. Recommended, by one who has done much reading and thinking about the art of human intelligence gathering.
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Bert Swart
4.0 out of 5 stars Intelligence that never was intelligence
Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2021
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Great chronology of the lost art of a intelligence analyst despite amazing budgets. Real reliable verified intelligence disappeared when Humint and analysis a phenomena disappeared, Smiley's people were overruled by politicians to become incompetent after the Cold War. So many fiascos are directly traceable to the over estimation of Signint. Its time to pull the plug and send real agents out to bring in the gold.
It is a great read for those who should fix the problem to become competent again. It is now the time to follow the footsteps of the Reinhard Gehlen's and John Dulles. a Politicised US Congress should man up. And grow a pair.
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