 WF House presents an unabridged recording of The Spook Who Sat by the Door by Sam Greenlee. Narrated by Dion Graham. To my wife, Nikki. Introduction. Hi, this is Natiki Hope Presley. This book is about neither race nor politics, inequality nor revolt. Although race and politics are the backdrop, this book is about freedom. Over 50 years ago, when my father Sam Greenlee Jr. wrote The Spook Who Sat by the Door, some critics chose to see his book as simply an outline plan to educate and train youth gang members in Chicago to violently overthrow the city. They overlooked the meticulous intentionality of Spook's main character, Dan Freeman, a man on a mission to quench his thirst for freedom and justice. Freeman lawfully infiltrated the CIA through an affirmative action recruitment program designed by a failing politician who sought to win back the black vote. In an all too familiar political ploy, Dan successfully completed the program and gained feel experience but was assigned to serve as the copy boy. He's kept in a non-threatening position, void of authority and dignity. Dan's true motivation for joining the CIA was to use what he learned to empower his community and serve a purpose greater than upward mobility. The noted quote Spook performed menial duties, overcame ridicule and endured blatant racism to work towards his ultimate goal, revolution. There are those who would vilify Dan Freeman's character, calling him a troublemaker, rabble rouser, an angry black man, a disgrace to our race, or just too aggressive and extreme. It is easy to see him as the antagonist in an American fairy tale, but I propose seeing Dan as a victim of two of America's greatest tragedies, inequality and injustice. With many, Dan earned a merit-based promotion. He successfully completed the CIA training program with all its rigor. He went from being a young man living in inner city Chicago to a CIA agent, but because he's a black man, he would never earn the respect the position garners or experience the full benefits of his achievement. Dan determined it more expedient to use his access to the quote system as a weapon against it, although his tactics in this... Sample complete. Ready to continue?