The only Mailer book I've ever finished. It's not an easy read. In fact, it's extremely slow going at times: the writing is dense and requires attention, but the story is fabulous.

Subtitled "A Novel Of The CIA", the story takes place from the late 1950's through the 1970's, but it's not the typical Cold War spy story. Although there is espionage and intrigue galore, the novel focuses on the effect espionage has on those who participate: how the deceit and manipulation warps the individual and maims his soul.

The last page of the book, published in 1991, declares boldly TO BE CONTINUED. I waited for years, thinking "When do we get the rest of the story, Mr. Mailer?" Sadly, Mr. Mailer has departed this life, and Harlot's Ghost must stand alone. ( )

This book is fiction but everything Mailer wrote came to pass, remember Mailer went to school and was chummy with Kennedy's Best and the Brightest. Great Read, it is big but it is a page turner. ( )

A very lengthy account of a CIA operative ( )