An engaging and eye-opening memoir about the author's fascinating story of her time as a CIA agent. The author is a skilled writer who shares her story with intelligence, humor, raw honesty, and wise insight.

I've been mildly curious about the CIA for a long time, and this was the perfect book to satisfy that desire to know more about what it's really like. The CIA is not glamorous like Hollywood spies, though it is cool. For the author, it was more often incredibly difficult and sometimes miserable, including serving in the middle of a very dangerous Middle Eastern war zone no one wanted to be in.

Breaking Cover is Michele Rigby Assad's inspiring story of how God used the extremely difficult trials in her career, which she didn't understand at the time, to prepare her to for a great calling of serving him in another way later on. She also shares how she was created with the personality and potential to be a good CIA agent, something she never would have imagined, and how God used that and the skills and expertise of her career to aid in her future calling. I so appreciate how she freely talks about her faith as a huge part of her life without being preachy. She never shies away from saying truthfully how God sustained her and prepared her through it all, and how He worked behind the scenes to arrange everything for the good of her, her husband, and many others.

I was so encouraged and uplifted by the clearly conveyed message, illustrated by the author's life, of how God uses ordinary people to serve him in huge and life-changing ways. The author states that God does not want qualified, perfect people. He only wants to use people who are open to him, who listen to and obey his voice, and who follow his leading no matter the cost--and it's so true. It was true of the author, and God used her to help so many others in a way she never expected. Hearing her story encourages me in following the calling God has given me, and in my seasons of deep trials that I know He's using to prepare me for great things.

Recommended. 4 stars


Content:

Violence. Description of atrocities of war and terrorist bombings. Honest but still tasteful discussion of what it's like to be a Western woman in the Middle East, including stories of the author's encounters with obscene and disgusting men. A few other things as well.

Best for older teens and up, because of these adult topics--they're dealt with as sensitively as possible, but they don't leave out necessary facts that are sometimes awful. If you're young or sensitive, ask someone else to screen it for you. ( )