The Paladin

Written by David Ignatius

Narrated by George Guidall

CIA operations officer Michael Dunne is tasked with infiltrating an Italian news organization that smells like a
front for an enemy intelligence service. Headed by an American journalist, the self-styled bandits run a cyber operation
unlike anything the CIA has seen before. Fast, slick, and indiscriminate, the group steals secrets from everywhere and
anyone, and exploits them in ways the CIA can neither understand nor stop.

Dunne knows it’s illegal to run a covert op on an American citizen or journalist, but he has never refused an
assignment and his boss has assured his protection. Soon after Dunne infiltrates the organization, however, his cover
disintegrates. When news of the operation breaks and someone leaks that Dunne had an extramarital affair while on
the job, the CIA leaves him to take the fall. Now a year later, fresh out of jail, Dunne sets out to hunt down and take
vengeance on the people who destroyed his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980080657

Reviews for The Paladin

[Stephen Langton Foundation · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Magnificent narration by an absolute Master! David Ignatius is brilliant

[Tom Ward · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an artfully-crafted novel by an elite novelist. It is well worth your time. Also, it’s exceptionally well narrated.

[paul_samael-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I'd previously read "The Quantum Spy" (good/very good) and "The Director" (pretty good) by this author, but after those two, this one was a very big disappointment - poor characterisation and the idea of highly realistic video fakes, while interesting, is not explored in a very interesting way here. Felt to me a bit like the author was just churning another one out for the sake of it. I guess it depends what you want from your spy books - if you are happy with pretty standard thriller fare, then maybe this will do it for you and perhaps I am being a bit harsh on it. But what I liked about "The Quantum Spy" in particular was that it looked at aspects of the espionage world that have not been written about all that much by others (e.g. quantum computing and China's MSS) - so it felt a cut above your average espionage thriller.

[maneekuhi · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was predisposed to writing a good review for David Ignatius’ “Paladin” (PAL). I had read a number of his other novels, enjoyed them, generally gave them 4 star ratings. Additionally, I read Ignatius’ Washington Post columns all the time and catch many of his appearances on “Morning Joe” – and listen to his every word. So it pains me to say that I found PAL very boring, occasionally unreadable, and not worthy of a recommendation. I think even a two star rating is generous.I won’t re-summarize the plot in any detail except to say that our hero, Michael Dunne, CIA operative, is doomed by his bosses for failure on a case, and winds up serving a year in jail. He vows revenge upon his release. The story, no big surprise, is told in a series of flashbacks, bouncing back and forth from before jail to after.My first criticism is that I feel strongly that the story would have been more interesting if told chronologically. Why has “flashback” become the standard, and real time the exception – its way overdone and only contributes unnecessary complexity and confusion to this story.Secondly, in the early days of computer crime, readers would learn a nugget or two of cyber wisdom and be satisfied; the plot was still key. In PAL and too many others of the day, the author is keen on demonstrating his knowledge and in going to great lengths to educate at least some of us on grad level material we know nothing about nor care to. And of course this must include a very heavy dose of social media features of the moment. But, if that isn’t enough, how about complicating the plot (what plot you may ask as you get further into this) with a heavy dose of Wall St. crime. Characters ?, dialog? tension? twists ? C’mon, you want that, too?! Duh, not here…..

[carole888fort · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Paladin by David Ignatius takes the reader on a thrill ride with the CIA, the FBI and the ever-changing world of high tech and high finance. Michael Dunne is assigned by the CIA to an undercover investigation of an Italian news group led by an American. There is evidence that secrets are being used illegally, However, Michael soon finds himself thrown to the wolves, charged with running a covert operation on Americans. No one speaks on his behalf and he is then sentenced to a year in prison, as his marriage falls apart and he loses custody of his young daughter. He has a long time to plot his revenge on the people who abandoned him at the worst time in his life. Upon his release, he sets in motion a plan to pursue his enemies, no matter what it takes. The Paladin is a high-energy narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seat and will show how technology in the wrong hands and for the wrong purposes can lead to a world of trouble. Highly recommended. Thank you to W.W. Norton and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.