Tracy Walder’s The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World’s Most Notorious Terrorists is her memoir of her years as a counterterrorism officer in the CIA and a special agent in the FBI in the post-911 world. She makes it clear in the beginning that she wouldn’t reveal any classified information, so I was prepared for the redacted lines. She overcomes childhood obstacles (she had floppy baby syndrome and was expected to be mentally retarded) and eventually heads to a California university and pledges a sorority. At a job fair there, she meets a CIA recruiter and thus begins her journey into the world of international spies with both the CIA and FBI. A strong woman, she cares deeply about America and about people while maintaining a global rather than an America-first attitude. Throughout her adventures, she juggles being “womanly” (caring about her hairstyle and wearing lipstick) with her job in a largely male-oriented world. She becomes an avowed feminist as she battles daily with overt sexism in both organizations as men call her “Malibu Barbie,” because of her California origins and her blonde hair.
This is a eye-opening glimpse into the attitudes of American governmental agencies, and it’s harrowing that they can treat women in such a nasty, misogynist manner. Every woman should read this book and demand better from our government. Walder switched from the CIA to the FBI and was treated horribly there. When the sexism grew too much, she decided to arm the next revolution by teaching school girls to negotiate their way through such hostilities and how to seek out the truth.
Walder’s account was highly personal and humorous—and at times, harrowing. An exceptional read and highly recommended.
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