Releasing in 2026, American Spy will be the memoir of Navy veteran Zachary Young, the man who took CNN to court for malicious defamation and won. The book, published by Harper Collins, was co-written by American Sniper author Scott McEwen and will follow Young through his recruitment and exploits “operating in the hidden world of international espionage,” according to press release obtained first by NewsBusters.
During the trial against CNN, Young’s past work with the Central Intelligence Agency and security contractor roles was bared before the world, put under the microscope, and brutally questioned.
The memoir seems to be Young’s way to take back control and tell his story on his terms:
Mysterious, intense and drawn from real experience, American Spy tells the story of Zachary Young, an American who spent years working under cover in hostile environments and denied areas, operating in the hidden world of international espionage. The book traces Young’s path from early recruitment to missions that placed him in some of the most dangerous settings on earth, often without recognition, protection, or the ability to explain what he was doing, even to those closest to him.
Throughout the trial, it was clear that Young was the quiet professional many in the upper echelons of the American intelligence community relied on and knew personally. He went to the places and did the jobs Uncle Sam asked of him to keep the country safe, and at great personal cost:
American Spy is a deeply personal account of experience, identity, and the cost of operating far beyond the public eye.
“This book pulls back the curtain on a world most people never see,” said Scott McEwen. “Zak lived the life that movies are made from. He operated in places where there are no second chances and where the decisions you make determine who lives and who does not. His story is raw, real, and impossible to forget.”
Additionally, “American Spy will be available for pre-order upon release of the cover.”
