The Literary Spy: The Ultimate Source for Quotations on Espionage & Intelligence

Books of quotations often showcase the most polished gems of thought by statesmen, writers and other luminaries. But Lathrop, a C.I.A. speechwriter, has a double mission in culling 'quotables' that shed light on the murky world of espionage: he wants to reflect both the wisdom and the ignorance of the guardians and pundits of ""intelligence"" throughout history. From J. Edgar's sputtering about too much ""damned coordination"" in government to Nietzsche's aphorism that ""convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies,"" the quotations seek to capture the spirit of both the hapless and the hopeful, the visionaries and the obfuscators, the insiders and the observers. No source is too sacred or too lightweight; passages from the Bible and Shakespeare are printed alongside snippets from talk shows and James Bond movies. Lathrop carves the quotes into alphabetical categories, including ""Assassination,"" ""Ignoring Bad News"" and ""Weapons of Mass Destruction""--topics that will register with readers who are attuned to the current state of political affairs.