Chapter 3: August, 1977. Somewhere in Virginia's Tidewater Summary and Analysis

Nearing the end of a four-month paramilitary course, Robert and his four classmates were trained in parachuting to safety in enemy territory. His class went on night excursions flying over the Virginia countryside, learning to jump and land safely. On one occasion, the exercise included rendezvousing with a foreign agent at a designated location in the dark, swampy terrain. The jump instructor told the class to never look at the ground, because it was the best way to tense up and break a leg. In those days, the agents were all loyal and patriotic adventurers but in modern times Robert would see many of his colleagues evolve into political masters rather than intelligence gatherers like those who maintained the the spirit of the CIA's predecessor the OSS, Office of Strategic Services...