![]() Title: The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames Author: Kai Bird Publisher: Broadway Books Publication Date: May 20, 2014 Print Length: 448 pages #BookReview #NonFiction There were threats coming from the Middle East, especially on November 4, 1979, when a group of Iranian students stormed the U. S. Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 60 American hostages. The rescue attempt on April 24, 1980, known as Operation Eagle Claw, failed, resulting in the accidental deaths of eight American servicemen and one Iranian civilian, as well as the destruction of two helicopters. The hostages were held captive for 444 days. They were released on January 20, 1981, minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President of the United States. This was only one incident that took place during “Peacetime” or during the “Cold War.” Robert Ames was a CIA Operative who died in the bombing of the American Embassy in Beirut on April 18, 1983. He was one of 63 people killed that day of which 17 were Americans. What does Bird’s title, The Good Spy mean? Ames worked hard and he was a devoted family man. He appeared to be a kind and decent man who had a thirst for Middle East knowledge: he learned Arabic and learned about the history and culture of each area he was stationed at. He made friends, not just contacts. Ames was somewhat of a rogue who operated independently and didn’t always see eye to eye with his fellow operatives. Yet, he was “good” at his job. The Good Spy is best read in small chunks so that the reader can get to know Ames and all the many players, movers and shakers of the Middle East. Bird does an excellent job with an overview history of the Middle East and the role that Ames played in that history. Thank you for stopping by! If you enjoy books, sign up for our newsletters on the right hand sidebar.
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