Jesus, My Father, The CIA and Me: A memoir...of sorts by Ian Morgan Cron

In a touching but perhaps superficial biographical memoir, Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A memoir… of sorts, Episcopal priest Ian Morgan Cron relates the story of his childhood growing up with an alcoholic father. Although his father was indeed a CIA agent for brief periods, this is not so much a part of his story (albeit its place in the title).  What does come through is the intense pain of a young man who blames himself for his father’s drinking and then spends his adolescence seeking his own relief in drugs and alcohol.  Ultimately emerging as an alcoholic himself, Ian finally finds relief and release in the church.

Ian Cron’s relationship with his dad which ranges from approval -seeking to hatred to forgiveness is recounted in this book.  The author speaks with the honesty of one who wanted to be “struck by lightning rather than having to go home”(71) to his abusive father. Continuing his biography, Ian carries his story into the present day and introduces us to his wife and three children. He writes in an artistic vein sometimes flashing back to earlier experiences, and I easily became engrossed in his story.  Although this memoir is beautifully written, I would have liked to know more specific details about Ian’s growth in the Lord.   His spiritual journey is not totally explained; but perhaps that is part of the metaphor.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review.  I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions given here are my own.