The Company We Keep: A Husband-and-Wife True-Life Spy Story Audiobook, by Robert Baer Play Audiobook Sample

The Company We Keep: A Husband-and-Wife True-Life Spy Story Audiobook

The Company We Keep: A Husband-and-Wife True-Life Spy Story Audiobook, by Robert Baer Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Robert Baer, Dayna Baer, Richard McGonagle Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780307878496

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

139

Longest Chapter Length:

05:00 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

14 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

03:41 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

9

Other Audiobooks Written by Robert Baer: > View All...

Publisher Description

Robert Baer was known inside the CIA as perhaps the best operative working the Middle East. But if his career was all that a spy might aspire to, his personal life was a brutal illustration of everything a spy is asked to sacrifice. Dayna Williamson thought of herself as just an ordinary California girl. But she was always looking to get closer to the edge. When she joined the CIA, she was initially tasked with Agency background checks, but she quickly distinguished herself as someone who could thrive in the field. Tapped to serve in some of the world’s most dangerous places, she discovered an inner strength and resourcefulness she’d never known—but she also came to see that the spy life exacts a heavy toll. When Bob and Dayna met on a mission in Sarajevo, it wasn’t love at first sight. But there was something there, a spark. And as the danger escalated and their affection for each other grew, they realized it was time to leave “the Company,” to somehow rediscover the people they’d once been. As worldly as they both were, the couple didn’t realize at first that turning in their Agency ID cards would not be enough to put their covert past behind.

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"I found this book to be a surprising page-turner (nook screen-tapper?). You get the sense that being a CIA agent is comprised of long stretches of waiting punctuated with high drama. And it takes a toll on the family. "

— Sue (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “A breezy, often fascinating account of this CIA romance.”

    — Washington Post
  • “Propulsive momentum…The authors give a good sense of the improvisational nature of the CIA…Both Baers write affectingly of their experiences.”

    — Kirkus Reviews
  • “An engaging narrative that should appeal to readers of spy-themed literature, factual or fictional.”

    — Booklist

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller

The Company We Keep Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.08333333333333 out of 53.08333333333333 out of 53.08333333333333 out of 53.08333333333333 out of 53.08333333333333 out of 5 (3.08)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 5
3 Stars: 10
2 Stars: 7
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I thought spies were only in James Bond movies till I read this book. Their lives read like a movie and it's only when you read about the losses in their personal lives that it hits home they are real people. "

    — Camilla, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " i lovvvvvvvvvvvvvve backdoor diplomacy. and dal. "

    — Kylee, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Each chapter was a vignette about their time in the CIA. It was interesting to learn more about what the CIA does. "

    — Michelle, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Although it took some time to finish, (kept putting it down in favor of fiction titles), I enjoyed this part-memoir, part-travelogue, part-espionage thriller. There were sections that read like James Bond. I appreciated the additional background and information this account provided on the Bosnian situation in the 90s. "

    — Mary, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book does give some insights to the lives of a CIA operative, but that aspect is limited particularly when it is acknowledged that the CIA has reviewed the book to assure that classified info is not revealed {you know, the interesting stuff}. To my surprise, the value of the book lies in its revealing the tragedies and triumphs of this couples personal lives which are profoundly effected by constantly living on the edge of reality, or lack of reality. "

    — Chuck, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Book was okay. Like to break up fiction with true stories. Not enough cohesive connection between stories. Will try see no evil. "

    — Lorraine, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A really interesting book, but it dragged towards the end and it was a chore to finish. "

    — Stephanie, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Another book club book. OK, but it's not actually the page turner that the cover claims it to be (never judge a book by its cover...oops). An interesting insight into the boredom of a CIA operative, which eventually spins down into an adoption story (?) "

    — Emma, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book gives you some idea of what life is like in the CIA. I'm sure a lot of it is watered down. Also, the writing is not the best. On the whole, it was an interesting read. "

    — Joan, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This account of how two CIA operating officers met, married and began settling into life after the CIA treats the dissolution of each of their first marriages rather offhandedly, but does make the point that the only path to true relationships is to settle in and work on maintaining them. "

    — Nick, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Entertaining insight into how the CIA works. "

    — Sam, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I would not have read this book if it hadn't been a monthly read for the Book Hoarders Anonymous podcast, but I ended up really liking it. It was a fairly quick read for me and very enjoyable. "

    — Ellen, 11/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book got 5 stars, not because it was deep or life-changing, but because it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. "

    — Em, 7/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This a dual memoir with a very happy ending. In all honesty, it does show the value and operational uses (other than honey traps) of female operatives. "

    — Doyle, 6/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " As a spy book I give it a one star. But it's a decent biography. "

    — Nate, 12/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " interesting look into the lives of real CIA agents "

    — Larissa, 5/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " it was only ok. nothing spectacular. i feel like there are better books out there about the CIA "

    — Erin, 4/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This real-life CIA tale should appeal to anyone who enjoys good spy fiction. "Syriana" was based on one of Robert Baer's books. "

    — Sandy, 3/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I truly enjoyef the peek into the real lives of two CIA operatives. The glimpses imclufe the mundane, humorous and exciting. I learned a lot and lived a little, if only vicariously. "

    — Robin, 12/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I truly enjoyef the peek into the real lives of two CIA operatives. The glimpses imclufe the mundane, humorous and exciting. I learned a lot and lived a little, if only vicariously. "

    — Epic.rdr, 6/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was a birthday present from my wife. I enjoyed it very much. It was an easy read. I learned quite a bit of culture, geography, and history in between the telling of tales--a good book. Thank you Ciarra.. "

    — Steve, 5/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Really 2.5 stars. The CIA stuff is interesting, but the personal story never connects. "

    — Becky, 5/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " very interesting story of ex-CIA agents all over the world.. "

    — Andrea, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A really interesting book, but it dragged towards the end and it was a chore to finish. "

    — Stephanie, 5/4/2011

About the Authors

Robert Baer is the author of two New York Times bestsellers: Sleeping with the Devil, about the Saudi royal family and its relationship with the United States, and See No Evil, which recounts Baer’s years as a top CIA operative. See No Evil was the basis for the acclaimed film Syriana, which earned George Clooney an Oscar for his portrayal of Baer. Baer writes regularly for Time.com and has contributed to Vanity Fair, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. He is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on the Middle East.

Dayna Baer before leaving the CIA to settle down with her husband Robert, was an accomplished intelligence operative.

About Richard McGonagle

Richard McGonagle is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and an experienced film, television, and voice-over actor. He has appeared in such films as Rules of Engagement and such television shows as The Practice and JAG.