From Library Journal
The factional strife in Lebanon feeds on rumor, deliberate lies, and half-truths, and spawns mercenaries and agents of every ideological stripe. Most share a harsh morality that allows terrorism to advance. A very few others are committed to relationships built on trust, honesty, and a sense of mutual responsibility. One such is Tom Rogers, a CIA agent who penetrates a prime Palestinian unit and makes a secret agreement with a young deputy chief of Fatah intelligence. This first novel is a suspenseful account of the excruciating ambiguity of the undertaking. Ignatius, a former Middle East correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, writes with a fatalistic affection for his subject and deep understanding of its complexity. As a storyteller, Ignatius deploys drama, pace, and character to make this a spy novel of formidable power. Barbara Conaty, Library of CongressCopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Los Angeles Times
A first rate achievement in the best tradition of Graham Greene.


Bob Woodward
An unparalleled and hauntingly accurate portrait of how the intelligence game is really played.


Time
An uncommonly informative and intriguing espionage thriller.


Book Description
Now back in print: the "superlative spy novel" (New York Times) by the author of the red-hot forthcoming thriller A Firing Offense. A national bestseller in its hardcover edition, Agents of Innocence is the book that established David Ignatius's reputation as a master of the novel of contemporary espionage. Into the treacherous world of shifting alliances and arcane subterfuge comes idealistic CIA man Tom Rogers. Ordered to penetrate the PLO and recruit a high-level operative, he soon learns the heavy price of innocence in a time and place that has no use for it.


About the Author
David Ignatius is assistant managing editor for business at the Washington Post, where he also served as foreign editor. He covered the Middle East for the Wall Street Journal, reporting on the collapse of Lebanon and the rise of terrorism, an experience that inspired this novel. He lives in Washington, D.C.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Now back in print: the "superlative spy novel" (New York Times) by the author of the red-hot forthcoming thriller A Firing Offense. A national bestseller in its hardcover edition, Agents of Innocence is the book that established David Ignatius's reputation as a master of the novel of contemporary espionage. Into the treacherous world of shifting alliances and arcane subterfuge comes idealistic CIA man Tom Rogers. Ordered to penetrate the PLO and recruit a high-level operative, he soon learns the heavy price of innocence in a time and place that has no use for it.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A CIA agent ordered to penetrate the PLO finds his idealism tested. (Sept.)

Library Journal

The factional strife in Lebanon feeds on rumor, deliberate lies, and half-truths, and spawns mercenaries and agents of every ideological stripe. Most share a harsh morality that allows terrorism to advance. A very few others are committed to relationships built on trust, honesty, and a sense of mutual responsibility. One such is Tom Rogers, a CIA agent who penetrates a prime Palestinian unit and makes a secret agreement with a young deputy chief of Fatah intelligence. This first novel is a suspenseful account of the excruciating ambiguity of the undertaking. Ignatius, a former Middle East correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, writes with a fatalistic affection for his subject and deep understanding of its complexity. As a storyteller, Ignatius deploys drama, pace, and character to make this a spy novel of formidable power. Barbara Conaty, Library of Congress

Bob Woodward