| View Larger Image | Ghost: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent | Paperbackby Fred Burton (Author)
| List Price: | $16.00 | | Price: | $10.88 | | You Save: | $5.12 (32%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | Paperback | | Publisher: | Random House Trade Paperbacks | | Edition: | Reprintth Edition | | Page Count: | 288 Pages | | Publication Date: | June 09, 2009 | | Sales Rank: | 47,797th |
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FEATURES | - ISBN13: 9780345494252
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
In this hard-hitting memoir, Fred Burton, a key figure in international counterterrorism and domestic spycraft, emerges from the shadows to reveal who he is, what he has accomplished, and the threats that lurk unseen except by an experienced, worldly-wise few. Plunging readers into the murky world of violent religious extremism that spans the streets of Middle Eastern cities and the informant-filled alleys of American slums, Burton takes us behind the scenes to reveal how the United States tracked Libya-linked master terrorist Abu Nidal; captured Ramzi Yusef, architect of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing; and pursued the assassins of major figures including Yitzhak Rabin, Meir Kahane, and General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the president of Pakistan–classic cases that have sobering new meaning in the treacherous years since 9/11. Here, too, is Burton’s advice on personal safety for today’s most powerful CEOs, gleaned from his experience at Stratfor, the private firm Barron’s calls “the shadow CIA.”Told in a no-holds-barred, gripping, nuanced style that illuminates a complex and driven man, Ghost is both a riveting read and an illuminating look into the shadows of the most important struggle of our time. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 58 reviews)
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Part of a pair - tactical by Raul S. Reyes (San Francisco, Ca)  4 Stars
November 27, 2009
I bought this book as part of a pair, the other being Americas Secret War, by George Friedman. Part of the reason I bought this book is that we have a friend who works in the Diplomatic Security Service. While he's told us a few funny stories, we always have the impression, actually a certainty, that he's not saying much. So I thought this book would illuminate matters a bit.
It did. A warning, this book covers events at the beginning of the "War on Terror", and omits many of the important events that defined it. For example it simply omits the 1992 WTC bombings, and of course the 9-11 attacks. It is also a personal journal, the story of Fred Burton's life in the DSS. As such it is the sort of story you might hear over coffee at a friend's house, or over drinks at the local bar. It is told in a first person, present voice style that carries the reader along at a fast pace.
That being said it is a fascinating account of the details of life in the covert world. It gives a feeling of what life is like on the front lines (or rather, the back alleys) of the anti-terror campaigns. The detailed glimpses of the people involved, the tactics used, the systems of analysis, all ring true. Some of the revelations are startling. For example Fred Burton concludes that Pakistani President Zia's death was a KGB hit.
But aside from that don't expect great insights and other revelations into the anti-terror campaign. It is told from the viewpoint of a soldier on the front line, and as any soldier will tell you, that doesn't tell you much. I recommend reading it before, or after, reading Friedman's book. Burton gives a close-up, tactical view, and Friedman will give you a wider, strategic view. I should mention that Burton has left the DSS and gone to work for Stratfor, a private intelligence company that Friedman founded.
All in all I recommend this book, as well as Americas Secret War. Together they give a good overall view of the subject.
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Terrific Read by Cathleen Ortolani (NorthEast Pennsylvania, United States)  5 Stars
October 23, 2009
I usually re-sell my books after reading once but this I'm hanging onto so as to re-read over the winter, though it may leave you a little depressed due to government attitudes, but not the authors' & reminds us to truly Thank people doing these tough, clandestine jobs, jobs most of us cannot do.
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An Extraordinary Man! by Pasquale R. Valerio 5 Stars
August 24, 2009
Fred is an interesting man who helped to keep our country safe. An excellent read that I found hard to put down once I started. Considering that this was his first book, he did a magnificent job! His hard work and constant drive to get those responsible is remarkable. His details and insight are incredible. A rare and honest look into the dark world that Fred and his associates protected us from. I'm looking forward to his next book.
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Very interesting by Raffox (before I was there, now I am here!) 5 Stars
August 06, 2009
Highly suggested, this book brings you the flavour of an operative officer's life from day 1. It almost reads like a romance, but with the difference of not being just imagination. Lots of details are included which help to get a pretty good taste of what it must have been like to work for the C.I.A.
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Eye opening by Arcane Thought (NY) 4 Stars
July 22, 2009
Anyone who doubts that we have had an issue with international terrorism since long before 9/11 needs to read this book. It is simply amazing how many incidents big and small that have happened over the years and how they all fit together. This author does a great job of taking us on that journey. A must read for anyone interested in the subject matter.
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