Philip Houston - Spy the lie: former CIA officers teach you how to detect deception

This book is in large part the culmination of a body of work performed by a lot of people whose names arent on the cover, made possible in even larger part by the loving support of our families. The encouragement and advice of the people in our lives who are closest to us, along with their unflinching willingness to share the burdens that necessarily accompany any meaningful endeavor, lie at the heart of everything that went in to an effort that has spanned several years.

Throughout this process we have been surrounded by individuals who have demonstrated not only a gracious generosity with their time and expertise, but a genuine desire to help make this book a worthy voice of subject matter that can truly change peoples lives for the better. We are especially grateful for the able guidance of Peter Romary, an internationally recognized legal expert and a valued friend and colleague who serves as a partner in QVerity, the company we founded to advance and share the concepts weve presented in this book. Special thanks go out also to our other friends and colleagues at QVerity, including founding partner Bill Stanton, training specialist Jack Bowden, and marketing guru Bryan Stevenson.

Among the others who have touched this book with their extraordinary skills are those who read and re-read various iterations of the manuscript, including Debi Houston, Jim and Frances Winstead, Alex and Terri Reeves, Mike and Penny Houston, Casey and Debbie Houston, Philip and Rebecca Houston, Chris Houston, Beth Houston, Nick Dawson, Ardith Tennant, and Marcy Romary. Our agent, Paul Fedorko of N. S. Bienstock in New York, had the vision to see that everyone should have access to what he had experienced in one of our training sessions, and the acumen to guide us through the transformation of that experience into the framework for this book. The crew at St. Martins Press could not have been more professional or easier to work with, and we are indebted to their talented copyeditors and designers. Our editor, Marc Resnick, is the best in the businesshis flexibility and good nature were matched only by the brilliance of his editorial craftsmanship. The trust he readily placed in us is deeply appreciated.

If the greatest deception in life is to believe that any significant accomplishment is solely ones own, then perhaps the greatest treasures in life are the people around us without whom any goal is only a dream. Coauthoring this book would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my wonderful and amazing family, which includes my wife, Debi; my sons, Phil Jr. and Chris; and my daughter, Beth. Without their love, support and understanding, I never would have been able to pursue the kind of career that enabled me to travel the world, and in turn to develop the techniques that we have captured in this book. Also, special thanks to my kids for allowing me to share their personal stories and vignettes to illustrate some of our techniques in the book.

While there are many people whose friendship and support I will always cherish, there are four former Agency colleagues worthy of special mention. These four colleagues and I formed our first commercial venture to provide training in the detection of deception. Without the hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and dedication of Bill Fairweather, Jack Bowden, Gary Baron, and a fourth colleague, who for the time being must go unnamed, this book might never have been written. I will be forever indebted to them. Their careers in the service of the United States are worthy of books unto themselves.

The Central Intelligence Agency is, of course, the backdrop for all we have written, and I would be remiss if I did not say a few words about this remarkable organization. Having worked there for almost twenty-five years, I cannot imagine spending a career anywhere else. While it is essential that most of the Agencys work be conducted in secrecy, it is also somewhat disappointing that everyone in the country cannot witness firsthand the incredible accomplishments that are achieved every day by Agency employees around the world. There is simply no finer or more dedicated group of people in the world, who work not for recognition, but only for freedom.

I am blessed to have been raised by a village. That village is Columbus, Nebraska, a small farming community in our nations heartland, filled with stout-hearted people who live by example and not by words. No one ever accomplishes anything in life without the help of others. Sadly, space does not allow me to honor the countless people who have profoundly touched my life along the way.

I wish to give special thanks to my teachers, coaches, friends, and neighbors. To my life-long friend and partner in shenanigans, Steve Andersonthank you for always having my back. To my high school track and football coach, Ron Callanthank you for your inspiration and example. To my swashbuckling and entrepreneurial army buddy, Frank Argenbrightthank you for encouraging me to pursue the deception-detection profession all those years ago. To my mentor, the late John E. Reid, who referred to me as the bald-faced lad from NebraskaI hope our book makes you proud. To my law school professors, Paula Lustbader and David Boernerthank you for giving me one of lifes most important gifts: confidence in myself. To my beautiful sisters, Julie and Stephaniethank you for your guidance, generosity, and humor. In memory of my parents, Bill and Wilma FloydI want to express my deepest thanks for their influence and unconditional love. Most importantly, thank you to my wife, Estelitachild, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist extraordinairefor your encouragement, support, wisdom, spirituality, and love. You are my rock.