The Literary Spy: The Ultimate Source for Quotations on Espionage & Intelligence

By Charles E. Lathrop

Book Overview

The Literary Spy provides a unique view of the intelligence world through the words of its own major figures (and those fascinated with them) from ancient times to the present. CIA speechwriter and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300103247
• ISBN13: 9780300103243
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 2.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.3" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

This is one of two indispensable books for scholars

As both a teacher of intelligence and national security classes as well as a writer about intelligence, Lathrop's book is only the second indispensable book I have come across. The other is Polmar and Allen's Spy Book. I have used The Literary Spy in the last four articles or chapters I have published. It not only provides some of the best insights of both scholars and practitioners on a variety of intelligence topics, but it also provides very helpful introductions to each of those topics. I have even been tempted to use the book as a textbook for a class I teach on intelligence. By the time a student has read through all of the pithy comments on, for example, "Counterintelligence," he or she would have been exposed to the essence of some of the very best writing on that topic. But the book is most helpful to researchers and writers on intelligence. It is like having one's own miniature Google-like search through the best of intelligence writing in one's own hand. And all of the quotations used are fully documented. I am hooked on it. This volume occupies all too valuable and minimal desk space next to my keyboard and will do so for a long time. Finally, it is a book that can be read just for the fun of reading. It makes wonderful reading on cold Winter nights or hot Summer evenings. One does not have to be an expert on intelligence to enjoy it.

A Wonderful Resource!

This is a rare type of book--unique, fun, and useful all at the same time. To my knowledge, no other book brings together so many quotes and comments about the world of intelligence. These quotes, along with Mr. Lathrop's comments, provide a guide to how intelligence works--or doesn't work--and will help educate anyone interested in spying and intelligence. This is more than just another reference book filled with quotes, however. You can open it to any page, start reading, and quickly become engrossed. Soon, I suspect, most readers will find themselves jumping from one subject to another, and writing down titles of books that Lathrop draws from. It's addictive. Finally, this book is fun. Lathrop has a sly sense of humor, and his quotes often are ironic or just plain funny; he displays a dry wit in his own comments, as well. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in intelligence, history, or current events.

An Indispensable Reference

A majority of Americans do not understand intelligence, given its necessarily sensitive and exclusionary nature. Greater news coverage of the subject, generally in the context of national security issues, does not appear to have enlightened a public that prefers to view things through an increasingly partisan political lens. For those who do not subscribe to simplistic reductions of the complex ideas surrounding the theory and practice of intelligence, Charles Lathrop has compiled and annotated a solution in the form of The Literary Spy. LitSpy is a collection of over 3,000 quotations, infused with the wit and wisdom of the author. The result is a masterful collection of powerful ideas and observations articulated in a very memorable way. Examples? The reader is treated to quotes from sources as diverse as the Bible and Socrates to the late Washington Post scribe and perennial CIA critic Mary McGrory. Better still, Lathrop uses his insider access as a CIA officer to provide quotes that we otherwise would not have access to. One especially memorable offer was solicited to the Agency by a dentist offering his services "for the interrogation of anybody you choose" in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Lathrop assures us the individual was not hired, despite the patriotic sentiments expressed in the e-mail. From a structural standpoint, LitSpy is remarkably user-friendly. Its sixty-five categories of quotations are arranged alphabetically and can be accessed by subject or source index. Lathrop also includes a select bibliography for the reader. While he modestly states that his book "does not pretend to be comprehensive," it is difficult not to marvel at the breadth and depth of effort that went into this magnificent compilation made better by the humorous asides and insightful comments of this former military officer, analyst, speechwriter, and intel boss-jock shop honcho. This book is for insiders and outsiders, critics and defenders, and should be on the shelf of anyone with any interest in the true nature of intelligence. Lathrop is to be commended for this unique contribution to the field of intelligence literature.

Superb resource for amateurs and professionals

I saw this book last night and snapped it up immediately. I have been an intelligence analyst for the government for a long time now, and I love using appropriate quotes to set off reports and presentations. Needless to say, "the Literary Spy" is jam-packed with them. A few of the quotes aren't that striking, but a lot are. I particularly liked the sections about counterintelligence, deception, and traitors "in their own words." I think this book is also a good one for the intelligence "buff" as well as people who just like pithy quotations. I imagine students writing papers about espionage would find it very useful as well. In short, it's worth every penny, and I congratulate the author.