Charles McCarry (1930–2019) was an American writer and former CIA undercover operative, best known for his espionage novels. His works are praised for realism, intricate plots, and deep Cold War intelligence insights.
Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, McCarry served in the U.S. Army before working as a speechwriter for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1958, he joined the CIA, traveling as a deep-cover operative. After leaving the agency in 1967, he turned to writing, crafting espionage fiction based on his intelligence experience.
His début, The Miernik Dossier (1973,) introduced his recurring protagonist, Paul Christopher, a CIA agent navigating espionage complexities. He followed with The Tears of Autumn (1975,) exploring a conspiracy behind John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Other notable works include The Secret Lovers (1977,) The Last Supper (1983,) Second Sight (1991,) and Christopher’s Ghosts (2007.) His political thriller Shelley’s Heart (1995) examined Washington corruption, while Lucky Bastard (1998) satirized American politics.
McCarry also wrote nonfiction, including Citizen Nader (1972,) a biography of consumer advocate Ralph Nader. His literary contributions earned comparisons to John le Carré and Graham Greene.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Charles McCarry
Do you know what makes a man a genius? The ability to see the obvious.
—Charles McCarry
Topics: Genius
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