Thank you NetGalley, Celadon Books, and John O. Brennan for the advance readers copy of "Undaunted" for my honest review.

In his memoir, John Brennan recalls his many years working in various security roles for the United States Government. The book is written with wit and humor. Additionally, he holds nothing back.

This was like reading the journal on historical accounts from a CIA agent, starting when he was a kid and going deep into his experiences. A bit slow at times, I think because there is so much of his life within these pages and there’s so much to absorb. A good writer who writes an engaging story of his life. Anyone interested in politics or the workings of our government, along with the history of a CIA agent, should read this book.

Kudos to those who serve our country honorably, doing the best that they can without playing the little political games. Such a person is John Brennan.
In his over 30 year career, he has epitomized what a good man should be. Tirelessly striving to set a good example, doing the right thing, and speaking honestly to those in power.
This book is all of that. Brennan narrates the book in such a way that you feel like he is sitting with you and confiding his most personal thoughts. I was fascinated by the stories.
I feel bad for Brennan, so many years of service, only to run head long into the world of Trump. You have to wonder where Brennan found the reserve to not punch Trump in the nose. I hope that Brennan knows that the truth will prevail, and his reputation will emerge intact.
Thank you, Mr. Brennan, for your service.

UNDAUNTED is John Brennan's memoir of his 30+ year career in the intelligence community in the US. He spans from his early career as an analyst through his rise to CIA director. His career encompasses major events, but primarily he spends a lot of time on 9/11 and the intelligence leading up to it, the work the government did post-9/11, including the killing of Osama Bin Laden, and the torture report. He concludes with the Russian security breach during the 2016 presidential campaign and the government's response (or lack there of) after the election.

Brennan conveys topics that could be quite dense to a reader in ways that are approachable, and kept me engaged throughout. While I had a general knowledge of some of his positions, obviously there was much to learn. Early in his career he specialized in middle eastern intelligence, a choice that clearly played dividends as time went on. He spent multiple years in Saudi Arabia. After many years with the CIA, he left the agency, and was then a member of Obama's administration, a stark change from an intelligence position to a policy-oriented one. The reader is able to gain insight into how a position like this functions in a presidential administration.

Highlights of his memoir included more information on the planning of the Bin Laden operation, and the conflicted views he had on the CIA's "enhanced interrogation" programs. While he was not overall supportive of them, he was the CIA director by the time the lengthy report came out about the program. He has continued to be more outspoken since leaving the CIA against the Trump administration.

Thank you Celadon Books and NetGalley for this ARC for review.