Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Left of Boom
Left of Boom: How a Young CIA Case Officer Penetrated the Taliban and Al-Qaeda | Ralph Pezzullo
14 posts | 8 read | 1 reading | 25 to read
On September 11, 2001, Doug Laux was a freshman in college, on the path to becoming a doctor. But with the fall of the Twin Towers came a turning point in his life. After graduating he joined the Central Intelligence Agency, determined to get himself to Afghanistan and into the center of the action. Through persistence and hard work he was fast-tracked to a clandestine operations position overseas. Dropped into a remote region of Afghanistan, he received his baptism by fire. Frustrated by bureaucratic red tape, a widespread lack of knowledge of the local customs and culture and an attitude of complacency that hindered his ability to combat the local Taliban, Doug confounded his peers by dressing like a native and mastering the local dialect, making contact and building sources within several deadly terrorist networks. His new approach resulted in unprecedented successes, including the uncovering the largest IED network in the world, responsible for killing hundreds of US soldiers. Meanwhile, Doug had to keep up false pretenses with his family, girlfriend and friends--nobody could know what he did for a living--and deal with the emotional turbulence of constantly living a lie. His double life was building to an explosive resolution, with repercussions that would have far reaching consequences.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
Hooked_on_books
post image
Mehso-so

I have such mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it‘s a fascinating look at how the CIA functions in the Middle East to try to save American lives. On the other hand, the author comes across as an arrogant, reckless misogynist, which makes the book much less enjoyable. Also the redaction (above) takes some getting used to.

review
Well-ReadNeck
post image
Bailedbailed

Just couldn't get into it. Very detailed and slow going. Moving on.

blurb
Well-ReadNeck
post image

#MarchMadness #CoffeeAndABook

Starting this one now!!! And, yup, it's tea rather than coffee 😉

112 likes2 stack adds
review
shaelyni
Mehso-so

First audiobook I've ever listened to with redacted material. Enjoyed the random classical music that played often in between curse words ? story was so-so. Very informative but not keep you "on the edge of your seat" type writing.

quote
TelevisionNeighbor
post image

Intense.

blurb
shaelyni
post image

So I haven't read anything in like 3 weeks now 😱Life has gotten crazy on me and just down right hard. Trying to dive back into a new book to get myself back in the game. Up next is Left of Boom!

blurb
Well-ReadNeck
post image

#somethingforsept #SeptemberPhotoChallenge #blameitonlitsy

So much goodness from Litsy!!!!

I absolutely would not have joined BOTM if I hadn't seen so many fun unboxing posts!!

Theresa Me too! I was perfectly happy living in my little world of downloading books for my kindle & a TBR of about 20 books. Then along comes Litsy!! 😜 8y
britt_brooke I didn't even know BOTM existed until Litsy. 🙌🏻🙌🏻 8y
rivercityreading So many good books! 8y
lowellette How does BOTM work? 8y
Well-ReadNeck Sign up for 1/3/12 months and you get new hardcover book (5 recent releases are chosen by amazing panels and you pick one). They are currently running a special 50% off. You can get the deal here https://www.bookofthemonth.com/referCode/?referCode=s522ybgu0nfm9529 8y
121 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
Reading_E
post image

I filled up all of my spare shelf space with my #augusthaul 😱📚😱 now in September I need a new bookshelf shopping spree 👍😂 #augustphotochallenge

review
Twocougs
post image
Mehso-so

Mixed feelings about this story. Overall, a fascinating story of a CIA case officer and his incredibly dangerous and complicated life. Yet I did struggle with the arrogance of this young officer, I felt as though he always knew better than anyone else. Also, I get needing to let off steam but think this guy was a hard core partier well before his CIA days. Honestly, not sure where I fall with this story.

blurb
Twocougs
post image

Nothing like a "little" redaction. Dying to know what the CIA took out.

HiddenGemBooks This is why I think conspiracy theorists still thrive... Because our government still hides documents regardless of the F.O.I act and requests... 8y
BookishFeminist Government redactions will be the death of me. I just want to know so I feel you! 😩😭 @cookiejanester FOIA has lots of exceptions hence the redactions in documents released to the public. I used to do FOIA requests for a nonprofit. 8y
SecretLivesOfFictionLovers Omgosh they still blank things out? That would drive me crazy! 8y
MrBook 😂😂😂 8y
124 likes7 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Twocougs
post image

Husband and daughter (visiting from DC)left me to ride the motorcycle up to Mt. Rainier🏔🏍. I'm trying to cool off from the 🔥☀️ temps yesterday with some beer, vinyl, and an interesting read. Sunday Funday my way😎.

Jillsandypants Sounds like a perfect day! I dig the Powell's glass. That's my happy place 😊 8y
HiddenGemBooks Sounds delightful! I love how weather.com sent out severe weather alerts on Thursday about temps in the 80s - 90s over the weekend. Classic WA west side 8y
Twocougs @cookiejanester I know, it cracks me up. On the other side, we western Washingtonians are wimpy asses when it comes to heat. It hits80 and we all complain 😉 8y
91 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
Twocougs
post image

Thought I'd go in a completely different direction with my newest pick. I do love reading a book that is redacted- so curious what is underneath that big black mark😉

Megabooks This sounds good! Looking forward to your review! #ebc 8y
Laalaleighh I have this on my shelf! Haven't read it yet, can't wait to see what you think!! 8y
LauraBeth This looks good 8y
67 likes5 stack adds3 comments
review
Sydsavvy
post image
Pickpick

Glad I read this.Talented, intelligent, wild young man. A know-it-all, but I can forgive him that. I'm thankful for your service and hope that what you (all) did(do) for the rest of us doesn't ruin the rest of your life(s). I still don't understand it, but this at least gave me a bit of a POV.

blurb
Sydsavvy
post image

The only other thing I've read with censor marks are the letters Grandad wrote Grandma during WWII. This young CIA agent comes across a bit pompous but hey--I guess it goes with the territory.

Sue Illuminae has all the swearing censored out of it :) 8y
Sydsavvy @Sue No way! Ha! Definitely not what is redacted here, lol! 8y
10 likes1 stack add2 comments