"A powerful and revelatory memoir from former CIA director John Brennan, spanning his more than thirty years in government."--Dust jacket flap. Brennan pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of the Central Intelligence Agency, describing the selfless, patriotic, and invisible work of the women and men involved in national security. He also examines the insularity, arrogance, and myopia that have, at times, undermined its reputation in the eyes of the American people and of members of other branches of government. He brings the reader behind the scenes of some of the most crucial moments in recent U.S. history. He also candidly discusses the times he has failed to live up to his own high standards and the very public fallouts that have resulted. -- adapted from jacket

Includes index.

Friday, January 6, 2017 -- Jersey boy -- Coming of age -- Discovering the Middle East -- "So, you are interested in joining the CIA?" -- Out of operations -- John of Arabia -- Analyze this -- Countering terror -- Briefing the "first customers" -- Saudi Arabia redux -- Back at Langley during stormy times -- Falling short -- The challenge of a government "start-up" -- A new TAC(K) -- Joining the Obama team -- Working in the West Wing -- Taking life to save life -- The "pacer" of Abbottabad -- Factoring in fourth-order effects -- Second shot at the best job in government -- Stirring the CIA pot -- A tortured Senate report -- Oh, the people I've met -- Dealing with Russian intrigue -- What the hell just happened? -- Undaunted.