On Hazardous Duty

On Hazardous Duty is E. Howard Hunt's memoir of his career as a CIA operative during the early Cold War era. Hunt, who would later gain notoriety for his involvement in the Watergate scandal, recounts his experiences working in covert operations across various global hotspots including post-war Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The book offers a firsthand account of intelligence work during one of the most volatile periods in modern history, providing readers with insider perspectives on espionage tradecraft, political intrigue, and the shadowy world of Cold War intelligence operations. The memoir explores themes of loyalty, patriotism, and the moral complexities inherent in intelligence work. Hunt presents his operations with a matter-of-fact professionalism that characterized the CIA's approach during this era, detailing everything from propaganda campaigns to covert political interventions. For readers interested in Cold War history, intelligence operations, or political memoirs, this book offers a rare glimpse into the operational realities of American espionage during a formative period. While Hunt's later involvement in Watergate casts a retrospective shadow over his career, this earlier memoir captures a time when he was simply another dedicated intelligence officer navigating the dangerous chess game of superpower rivalry.