I received this book as a gift in 2008 or 2009, and finally got around to reading it in 2023. It was a very interesting history, which, though lengthy, moved along quickly through each time period and historical event, almost a page turner at times. Though I was aware of the questionable covert practices during battles to combat terrorism, I was surprised to read the long history of apparently botched missions and minimal effectiveness in gathering and analyzing intelligence. After finishing the book, I learned that the CIA put out a statement refuting the conclusions of the author, and although the book was favorably reviewed in the journalistic arena, it was criticized in some academic circles. It would be interesting to read an account of what has transpired following the publishing date of this book, and views from a different perspective. ( )

Vel skrifað og rannsakað verðlaunarit. Í því upplýsir Weiner klúðri ofan á klúður einnar stærstu og öflugustu leyniþjónustu heims. Saga CIA er raunar tóm harmsaga og mikið verri en ég hafði áttað mig á. Yfirmenn leyniþjónustunnar lugu að forsetanum, unnu gegn fyrirmælum hans, brutu eigin reglugerðir, afbökuðu staðreyndir og arfleifð CIA er í raun eintóm aska líkt og Eisenhower fyrrum forseti BNA komst að orði. ( )

History of the CIA. Not a pretty picture - ethics aren't in play. ( )

Must read for any American. Then read some reviews, read the cia.gov apologia, but this is a devastating history of which we are all responsible. ( )

An impressively comprehensive history that somehow manages to be eminently readable and easy-to-follow.

This is a history to terrify us. The abject failure of American intelligence gathering from beginning to end boggles the mind. It sheds light on a heretofore largely unknown perspective on the history of America and its role on the world stage from the conclusion of World War II to our most recent war in Iraq.

I'm anxious to see if this book gets a new release in the next few years with updated information. We've seen almost another decade pass since it was written - it only covers through 2005. It would be useful to know what's happened since then. ( )