📖 Overview
Jason Hanson is a former CIA officer who now works as an author, security specialist, and personal safety expert. After serving with the CIA for nearly seven years, he founded Spy Escape & Evasion, a company that teaches safety and survival techniques to civilians.
His best-known book is "Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life" (2015), which became a New York Times bestseller. The book shares techniques and tactics from his CIA training, adapted for everyday civilian use in personal protection and situational awareness.
Hanson has appeared on numerous television shows including Shark Tank, where he successfully pitched his security training business. He regularly contributes to media outlets on topics related to personal safety, survival skills, and security awareness.
His other books include "Agent of Influence" and "Survive Like a Spy," which continue his focus on teaching espionage-derived safety techniques to the general public. Through his writing and training programs, he specializes in translating complex security concepts into practical applications for everyday life.
👀 Reviews
Readers see Jason Hanson as a knowledgeable former CIA officer who provides practical safety and survival tips, though some question the depth of his advice.
Readers appreciate:
- Clear, actionable personal security advice
- Real-world examples from his CIA experience
- Accessible writing style for beginners
- Focus on awareness and prevention over combat
Common criticisms:
- Basic information available free online
- Too much self-promotion and marketing
- Some advice seems obvious or common sense
- Short books with repeated content across titles
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings)
- Survive Like a Spy: 3.8/5 (400+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Spy Secrets: 4.6/5 (2,100+ reviews)
- Survive Like a Spy: 4.7/5 (500+ reviews)
One reader noted: "Good intro for complete beginners but veterans of personal protection won't find much new here." Another said: "The constant upselling to his courses detracted from otherwise solid advice."
📚 Books by Jason Hanson
Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life (2015)
A guide to personal safety and security tactics drawn from CIA training and experience.
Agent of Influence (2019) Instructions for persuasion techniques and methods used in intelligence operations.
Survive Like a Spy (2018) Survival strategies and emergency preparation methods based on CIA field experience.
The Covert Guide to Concealed Carry (2012) A manual covering techniques and considerations for carrying concealed firearms.
The Moscow Rules (2019) An examination of CIA tradecraft and survival techniques used during Cold War operations in Moscow.
Operation Child Soldier (2020) A fictional spy thriller following an ex-CIA operative working to rescue trafficked children.
Survive LIKE A SPY COMPLETE NOTEBOOK (2021) A companion workbook to Survive Like a Spy with exercises and planning templates.
Agent of Influence (2019) Instructions for persuasion techniques and methods used in intelligence operations.
Survive Like a Spy (2018) Survival strategies and emergency preparation methods based on CIA field experience.
The Covert Guide to Concealed Carry (2012) A manual covering techniques and considerations for carrying concealed firearms.
The Moscow Rules (2019) An examination of CIA tradecraft and survival techniques used during Cold War operations in Moscow.
Operation Child Soldier (2020) A fictional spy thriller following an ex-CIA operative working to rescue trafficked children.
Survive LIKE A SPY COMPLETE NOTEBOOK (2021) A companion workbook to Survive Like a Spy with exercises and planning templates.