24. Amaryllis Fox: “What Does This New Version of Mutually Assured Destruction Look Like?”

Amaryllis Fox's riveting memoir tells the story of her ten years in the CIA, where she was recruited at the age of 21 and underwent intensive training to become a non-official cover (NOC) undercover agent. She worked in various roles, including analyzing classified cables and infiltrating terrorist networks in the Middle East and Asia. The book also explores her personal life, including her marriages and motherhood, and the challenges of balancing her secret CIA life with her personal relationships. Fox's experiences led her to realize the importance of vulnerability and building trust in achieving peace and security.

In this book, Sudhir Venkatesh recounts his extensive fieldwork in the Robert Taylor Homes, a notorious housing project in Chicago. Initially, Venkatesh's research involved observing the lives of gang members and residents, which led to a complex and often dangerous relationship with JT, the leader of a subgroup of the Black Kings gang. Over several years, Venkatesh gained deep insights into the gang's operations, including their drug-dealing activities and the intricate social and economic structures within the community. The book highlights the moral ambiguities and harsh realities of life in urban poverty, as well as the author's own ethical dilemmas and personal growth during his research.