In Obscura: Adventures in the World of Intelligence with Peter Theroux | MEF Podcast Ep. #339

Peter Theroux’s memoir, "In Obscura," recalls the author’s journey from journalism and translation, to the CIA and the National Security Council, weaving through Damascus and Hollywood. Drawing parallels between the hidden lives of intelligence officers and stunt actors, he offers an eloquent nuts-and-bolts glimpse into realms where success requires invisibility. What can we learn from lives lived in the shadows? What has the author learned from his journey? What anecdotes is he free to recount?

Peter Theroux has made an unusual set of career transitions from journalist (Wall Street Journal) to feature story writer (National Geographic) to book author (Translating LA) to translator from Arabic (Cities of Salt) to intelligence analyst (Central Intelligence Agency) to bureaucrat (Department of State) to policy advisor (National Security Council). Mr. Theroux holds a BA in English literature from Harvard University and studied at the American University in Cairo.