Top Secret

Clandestine Operations, Book 1

By: W.E.B. Griffin, William E. Butterworth IV

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author, a brand-new series about the Cold War - and a different breed of warrior.

In the first weeks after World War II, a squeaky-clean new second lieutenant named James D. Cronley Jr. is spotted and recruited for a new enterprise that will eventually be transformed into something called the CIA. One war may have ended, but another one has already begun, against an enemy that is bigger, smarter, and more vicious: The Soviet Union.

The Soviets have hit the ground running, and Cronley's job is to help frustrate them, harass them, and spy on them any way he can. His recruiter thinks he has the potential to become an asset - though, of course, he could also screw up spectacularly. And in his first assignment, it looks like that's exactly what might happen. He's got seven days to extract a vital piece of information from a Soviet agent, but Cronley's managed to rile up his superior officers (he seems to have a talent for it), and if he fails, it could be one of the shortest intelligence careers in history.

There are enemies everywhere - and, as Cronley is about to find out, some of them even wear the same uniform he does.

©2014 W. E.B. Griffin (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Recorded by arrangement with G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.

Colonel Klink All Over Again

This is not the best WEB Griffin I have read to date, and I have read a lot. Unfortunately, the narrator turned it into a cliche which is grossly unfair to Griffin. Clearly Cendese watched old episodes of Hogan's Heroes to prepare for the various characters in Top Secret (if you're too young, Google the comedy series; you'll see what I mean). Since this is Book 1 in the series, you will probably want to read it anyway, but be prepared for shades of Colonel Klink.

Performance

If you could sum up Top Secret in three words, what would they be?

Very good story.

How could the performance have been better?

I have enjoyed all the previous books, but this narrator was not nearly as good as the previous ones.

the start of the CIA

What made the experience of listening to Top Secret the most enjoyable?

I loved the story, I loved the movement the story had to it. It wasn't action filled by any means. But it was a great story and the way it was told

What was one of the most memorable moments of Top Secret?

The ending, I think the way it ended I liked that a lot. I won't talk about it as I don't wish to ruin the ending of a good book and great story for anyone

What does Alexander Cendese bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I liked how he read the Characters, I think he did a great job telling us a story and he helped give that story life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Before there was a CIA....The birth of a CIA

Any additional comments?

Very solid story on the birth of what would be the CIA

Narrator

The narrator’s name must be Hambone Jones because his narration more suits a three stooges short than this story.

another good pick

another good story character development good enjoyed the historical references in the old army lingo