The Recruiter

"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