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The Unexpected Spy
The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World's Most Notorious Terrorists | Jessica Anya Blau, Tracy Walder
9 posts | 4 read | 5 to read
A highly entertaining account of a young woman who went straight from her college sorority to the CIA, where she hunted terrorists and WMDs "A thrilling tale...Walders fast-paced and intense narrative opens a window into life in two of Americas major intelligence agencies" Publishers Weekly (starred review) When Tracy Walder enrolled at the University of Southern California, she never thought that one day she would offer her pink beanbag chair in the Delta Gamma house to a CIA recruiter, or that shed fly to the Middle East under an alias identity. The Unexpected Spy is the riveting story of Walder's tenure in the CIA and, later, the FBI. In high-security, steel-walled rooms in Virginia, Walder watched al-Qaeda members with drones as President Bush looked over her shoulder and CIA Director George Tenet brought her donuts. She tracked chemical terrorists and searched the world for Weapons of Mass Destruction. She created a chemical terror chart that someone in the White House altered to convey information she did not have or believe, leading to the Iraq invasion. Driven to stop terrorism, Walder debriefed terroristsmen who swore theyd never speak to a womanuntil they gave her leads. She followed trails through North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, shutting down multiple chemical attacks. Then Walder moved to the FBI, where she worked in counterintelligence. In a single year, she helped take down one of the most notorious foreign spies ever caught on American soil. Catching the bad guys wasnt a problem in the FBI, but rampant sexism was. Walder left the FBI to teach young women, encouraging them to find a place in the FBI, CIA, State Department or the Senateand thus change the world.
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Victoria6
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Book #17: I‘m a big fan of CIA/FBI women on tv shows so thought I‘d read a memoir of a real life one!

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Hazel0303
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Pickpick

If you loved the show Alias with Jennifer Garner, you will love this book. I think the author did the best she could trying to explain her experiences through some of the most controversial times in our recent history.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3131152506

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BookwormDownUnder
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Pickpick

This is a fascinating book about a woman's extraordinary career in the CIA, FBI, and finally as a teacher. Her career in the CIA was stellar and the dangers she faced were intense. It was riveting to read about her work in and dedication to counter-terrorism. She is an inspiration to all women. This is a five star book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

#TheUnexpectedSpy

CarolynM Hi there👋I've missed seeing you around. Hope all is well with you.💕 5y
BookwormDownUnder @CarolynM I‘ve been busy but things are settling down now, obviously. Thanks for checking! You doing ok in this dystopian world? 5y
CarolynM Good to know🙂 I'm good. It's all very worrying, but I'm confident we'll get through it (most of the time, anyway). Take care😘 5y
BookwormDownUnder @CarolynM Where are you? We‘re pretty isolated so hoping that helps. 5y
CarolynM Inner city Melbourne. Better than being in NSW at the moment! 5y
30 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Reecaspieces
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Pickpick
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Reecaspieces
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My plans for the day. After working ALL weekend...I am going to READ! Have a fabulous Tuesday. I am reading the tagged book...very different

Aloisi_tribe I had the weekend off and only worked four hours yesterday but your plan for today looks so lovely, I think I‘m going to adopt it as my own. It‘s a rainy, grey day here in Ohio; perfect reading weather. 😊 5y
CocoReads I worked all weekend but had yesterday off. I read most of the day myself. Very relaxing! 5y
Reecaspieces @CocoReads nothing beats it....still love my mug! ❤️ 5y
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Reecaspieces @Aloisi_tribe sounds like a fabulous plan! 5y
tanya1512 Your dog is adorable 💛. I‘m a pug momma too this is my idea of a wonderful day 5y
Reecaspieces @tanya1512 pugs are the best! 5y
97 likes1 stack add6 comments
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BookwormDownUnder
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I couldn‘t wait any longer to draw a name for the winner of a bookish prize for our #AUDayReadathon!! And the winner is.......... @Jeg !!! Congrats! Send your address to mocarney@aol.com and I‘ll send you a prize! Haven‘t bought it yet so feel free to include ideas for any bookish things you like.

Thanks everyone!! I had an unsuccessful readathon so I‘ll try this again. Maybe in Feb? Starting tagged book now. 🙂 Happy Long weekend!

Jeg I just finished it‘s 8 o‘clock here. I nearly finished another book. Thanks for organising . It‘s the first time I‘ve done a Readathon. I loved being able to read for so long. Sorry to hear it didn‘t quite work out for you. I‘ll contact you with my address. 5y
Jeg Bookish things I like? Surprise me! 5y
MrsMalaprop Yayyy! Congratulations @jeg. 📚🎉👏. Thanks for organising @readingdownunder. I got in about 6 hours reading time 👍. 5y
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Lizpixie Congratulations @Jeg Thank you @ReadingDownUnder for organising, I‘m totally down for another one! I managed to finish 1.5 audiobooks before I crashed for a few hrs tonight.😴 5y
LeeRHarry Congrats @Jeg ! 👏 I only got in about an hour but talked about books for a couple more at bookgroup ! 😊 thanks for organising @ReadingDownUnder ! 5y
thegreensofa Congratulations @Jeg , thank you again for organising @ReadingDownUnder , good one everyone, that was fun! I only read (and got to finish! Yay!) one book, but I‘m proud of myself hehe. Yes to Feb! 👌🏻😁 5y
Joanne1 Congrats @Jeg and thanks @ReadingDownUnder that was fun. I managed about five hours, finished two books, listened to some of my audiobook and started another one. I‘d love to do another one. 5y
Rissreads @LeeRHarry my bookgroup meeting is next weekend. It's the highlight of my social calendar! 5y
Rissreads Congratulations @Jeg 👍📚👏🎉🧡 5y
Rissreads Yes please organise another one! I was so busy running around and actually reading (and napping 😴) that I forgot to get on Litsy and actually engage with everyone! 😂❤📚 5y
BookwormDownUnder @Jeg I‘m a little slow but I bought your gift today!! Now to get to the PO... 5y
23 likes11 comments