The Secret History of the CIA
by Joseph J. Trento
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"The CIA was founded on the best of intentions - to battle the Soviet Empire during the Cold War. For over 50 years, hundreds of men and women in America's foremost intelligence agency have engaged nobly in espionage that was both risky and mysterious, in the name of national security. But the real CIA, as revealed in this book, was an organization haunted from the very beginning by missed opportunities, internal rivalries, mismanagement, and Soviet moles."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field show more provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved show lessTags
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In this uneven but fascinating account, Trento relies on the personal stories of a few first-hand witnesses. It is in these accounts that the main contribution of Trento is clear. It is less a history than a synthesized account of these witnesses.
Trento explains his interest in the CIA which began in 1976 when William Corson, a retired CIA senior officer, opened for him the doors of the CIA's arcane world. Corson introduced Trento to James Jesus Angleton, the CIA's legendary Chief of counterintelligence, who eventually put him in contact with Robert T. Crowley, another ex-CIA officer and a close friend of Corson.
The work roughly covers the same ground as Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, by Tim Weiner, but the works are totally show more different. show less
Trento explains his interest in the CIA which began in 1976 when William Corson, a retired CIA senior officer, opened for him the doors of the CIA's arcane world. Corson introduced Trento to James Jesus Angleton, the CIA's legendary Chief of counterintelligence, who eventually put him in contact with Robert T. Crowley, another ex-CIA officer and a close friend of Corson.
The work roughly covers the same ground as Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, by Tim Weiner, but the works are totally show more different. show less
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7 Works 527 Members
Joseph J. Trento has been an investigative reporter since 1968, when he joined the staff of the legendary journalist Jack Anderson. He is the author of the best-selling book Widows and has worked for CNN's investigative unit; consulted for 60 Minutes, Nightline, and PrimeTime Live; and appeared on Meet the Press, CBS Morning News, Good Morning show more America, and NPR. Currently, Mr. Trento is president of the Public Education Center He lives in Virginia show less
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction, Politics and Government
- DDC/MDS
- 327.1273 — Society, Government, and Culture Political science International Relations: Spies Foreign policy and specific topics in international relations Espionage and subversion North America United States
- LCC
- JK468 .I6 .T68 — Political Science Political institutions and public administration (United States) Political institutions and public administration United States Government. Public administration
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 307
- Popularity
- 103,808
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.55)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 5
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 4
