Jesus, My Father, The CIA And Me by Ian Cron

                    Imagine waking up as a teenager one day to discover that your alcoholic, stock broker father actually worked for the CIA. That is the description of what happened to author Ian Cron in his teenage years. And it was then that he discovered the beginning of the truth about his father's life, truth which had affected him dramatically while growing up in a world of instability and would continue to shape the years of his life, even decades later.
                    Ian Cron is an Episcopal priest and writer, whose latest book "Jesus, My Father, The CIA And Me" is a memoir of his life experiences which led him through bouts of depression, alcoholism, fear and, finally, resolution with the pages of his own story as it evolved. The book does not attempt to fill in every detail, as even the author notes quite early that we don't always remember things as the way that they were. He instead pieces together tales in his life drama that take the reader on a journey with him through the heartache, frustration and disappointment that he had to overcome in growing up to be who he is today.
                    For anyone who grew up with an alcoholic father, the book may be a little unpleasant, perhaps jarring memories of your own childhood and struggles that you faced. For anyone whose alcoholic father worked for the CIA (not sure how many of those would fit the category), it may be a bit of a medicinal healing balm to help you make sense of the chaos you may have encountered along the way. For others who do not fit those two categories, you will find a peek into the life of a young man who desperately wanted a relationship with his father and how he made peace inside himself when that relationship was not found in his own life.
                    If I had known a little about Ian Cron prior to reading the book, it would have probably helped me to understand the direction the book was heading. I found myself unsure as to whether the piece would have a 'happy ending' and it took some adjustment to flow freely with it. It is, however, laced with good natured humor throughout the contents and each story tells not just a part of the author's experiences, but also the lessons he learned while taking the course called life.
                   This book was given to me complimentary as a part of the book review program for bloggers at www.booksneeze.com.  I learned a lot about Ian Cron, his family, life with a troubled father who worked for the CIA, and what it is like to struggle with the longing for the family relationship you always wanted but never experienced. I trust that as you read it, whatever you have struggled with in life, it will help you to close the pages on your past and start a new chapter with a fresh perspective on living.