See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism

See No Evil recounts Robert Baer's two-decade career as a CIA case officer in the Middle East and South Asia. Through firsthand accounts of his time in the field from the 1970s through the 1990s, Baer details the challenges and realities of gathering human intelligence in volatile regions. The narrative follows Baer's progression from an idealistic young officer to a veteran operative who witnesses the transformation of the CIA's priorities and methods. His assignments take him through Lebanon, Iraq, Tajikistan, and other critical areas where he works to develop networks of informants and track emerging threats. The book offers an operational view of intelligence gathering before and after the end of the Cold War, documenting the shift from traditional espionage to an increased reliance on technology and bureaucracy. Baer describes the complexities of running assets, navigating foreign cultures, and attempting to warn Washington about rising security concerns. This memoir serves as both a critique of U.S. intelligence practices and a testament to the value of human intelligence in understanding global threats. The author's experiences illustrate the gap between field operations and policy decisions, raising questions about the effectiveness of modern intelligence gathering methods.

Readers consistently highlight Baer's insider perspective and candid accounts of CIA operations from 1976-1997. Many note the book provides clarity on intelligence failures that preceded 9/11. Readers appreciate: - Detailed descriptions of field operations and tradecraft - Critical analysis of CIA bureaucracy and political interference - Clear writing style that makes complex situations understandable - First-hand accounts from Lebanon and Iraq Common criticisms: - Jumps between time periods, creating confusion - Too much focus on author's personal grievances with CIA leadership - Some readers found parts slow-paced - Limited coverage of certain major events Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (8,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (650+ ratings) Multiple readers noted the book reads "like a spy thriller" while providing factual insights. Several criticized the chronological organization, with one Amazon reviewer stating "the timeline is hard to follow unless you're taking notes."

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🔸 Robert Baer spent 21 years in the CIA, primarily in the Middle East, and his experiences detailed in the book served as inspiration for the 2005 film "Syriana," with George Clooney playing a character based on Baer. 🔸 The book reveals how budget cuts and bureaucracy in the 1990s severely hampered the CIA's human intelligence capabilities, with the agency increasingly relying on satellite and signals intelligence rather than agents on the ground. 🔸 During his CIA career, Baer tracked assassination attempts against George H.W. Bush, investigated the TWA 800 crash, and gathered intelligence on Hezbollah's networks throughout the Middle East. 🔸 Baer's warnings about the rising threat of Islamic terrorism and specifically about Osama bin Laden in the years before 9/11 were largely ignored by CIA leadership and Washington policymakers. 🔸 The author learned to speak Arabic, Kurdish, Persian, and French during his CIA service, skills that proved crucial in developing human intelligence sources throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.