Synopsis
Undercover: Memoirs of An American Secret Agent, published in 1974 by former intelligence officer E. Howard Hunt, is a candid and self-justifying autobiography detailing his decades in clandestine operations. Written shortly after his conviction for his role in the Watergate break-in, the book offers a firsthand account of the inner workings of American intelligence from the early days of World War II through the downfall of the Nixon administration. Hunt frames his narrative around a lifelong commitment to anti-communism, painting himself as an operational patriot whose covert actions were always carried out in service of American national security.
The narrative traces Hunt’s career from his early service in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in China to his long tenure as a central operative within the Central Intelligence Agency. Hunt reflects on several major Cold War operations in which he played a pivotal role, including the 1954 covert overthrow of the Arbenz government in Guatemala and the disastrous 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba. Throughout these sections, Hunt offers sharp critiques of Washington's political leadership and CIA bureaucracy, arguing that political indecision, poor high-level management, and a lack of resolve frequently undermined the efforts of field operatives.
The final section of the memoir focuses on Hunt’s post-CIA career, specifically his work as a consultant for the Nixon White House and his leadership of the covert team known as the "Plumbers". He outlines his involvement in the covert "Gemstone" operations, the break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist, and the eventual Watergate break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Defending his conduct, Hunt portrays himself as a loyal soldier who was simply executing orders passed down from top White House officials, expressing bitterness over being abandoned by the administration during the ensuing legal fallout. Ultimately, the book serves as both a historical primary source on Cold War espionage and a controversial defense of a career spent in the shadows.