29/04/2015

Goodreads|TheHistoryBookClubAMERICANGOVERNMENT:CIA(showing150of196)
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message1:byBentley,GroupFounder,Leader,Chief(new)

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TheHistoryBookClub
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May26,201108:08PM

Thisisathreadtodiscussbooks(nonfictionandhistoricalfiction)abouttheCIA.Onthis
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message2:byAlisa(new)

GroupHome

Jun09,201107:47PM

Thislooksinteresting.

InstantGrammar
Checker
CorrectAllGrammarErrors
AndEnhanceYourWriting.Try
Now!

byRobertBaer
InhisexplosiveNewYorkTimesbestseller,topCIAoperativeRobertBaerpaintsachillingpictureof
howterrorismworksontheinsideandprovidesstartlingevidenceofhowWashingtonpolitics
sabotagedtheCIAseffortstorootouttheworldsdeadliestterrorists,allowingfortheriseofOsama
binLadenandAlQaedaandthecontinuedentrenchmentofSaddamHusseininIraq.
AveterancaseofficerintheCIAsDirectorateofOperationsintheMiddleEast,Baerwitnessedthe
riseofterrorismfirsthandandtheCIAsinadequateresponsetoit,leadingtotheattacksof
September11,2001.Thisrivetingbookisbothanindictmentofanagencythatlostitswayandan
unprecedentedlookattherootsofmodernterrorism,andincludesanewafterwordinwhichBaer
speaksoutabouttheAmericanwaronterrorismanditsprofoundimplicationsthroughoutthe
MiddleEast.
RobertBaerwasconsideredperhapsthebestonthegroundfield
officerintheMiddleEast.
SeymourM.Hersh,TheNewYorker
FromThePreface
Thisbookisamemoirofonefootsoldierscareerintheothercoldwar,theoneagainstterrorist
networks.ItsastoryaboutplacesmostAmericanswillnevertravelto,aboutpeoplemanyAmericans
wouldprefertothinkwedontneedtodobusinesswith.
Thismemoir,Ihope,willshowthereaderhowspyingissupposedtowork,wheretheCIAlostitsway,
andhowwecanbringitbackagain.ButIhopethisbookwillaccomplishonemorepurposeaswell:I
hopeitwillshowwhyIamangryaboutwhathappenedtotheCIA.AndIwanttoshowwhyevery
Americanandeveryonewhocaresaboutthepreservationofthiscountryshouldbeangryand
alarmed,too.
TheCIAwassystematicallydestroyedbypoliticalcorrectness,bypettyBeltwaywars,bycareerism,
andmuchmore.Atatimewhenterroristthreatswerecompoundingglobally,theagencythatshould
havebeenmonitoringthemwasbeingscrubbedcleaninstead.Americansweremakingtoomuch
moneytobother.Lifewasgood.TheWhiteHouseandtheNationalSecurityCouncilbecame
cathedralsofcommercewheretheinterestsofbigbusinessoutweighedtheinterestsofprotecting
Americancitizensathomeandabroad.Defangedanddispirited,theCIAwentalongfortheride.And
thenonSeptember11,2001,thereckoningforsuchvastcarelessnesswaspresentedforalltheworld
tosee
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message3:byBentley,GroupFounder,Leader,Chief(new)

Jun09,201110:33PM

ThislooksinterestingAlisa.Thanks.
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message4:byAndr(new)

Alisawrote:"Thislooksinteresting.

Jun10,201103:20AM

sponsoredbooks
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Themindisitsownplace.
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morebooks...

Booksmentionedinthistopic
SeeNoEvil:TheTrueStoryofaGroundSoldierinthe
CIA'sWaronTerrorism(othertopics)
Roosevelt'sSecretWar:FDRandWorldWarII
Espionage(othertopics)
TheTripleAgent:ThealQaedaMolewhoInfiltratedthe
CIA(othertopics)
Castro'sSecrets:TheCIAandCuba'sIntelligence
Machine(othertopics)
HardMeasures:HowAggressiveCIAActionsAfter9/11
SavedAmericanLives(othertopics)

More...

Authorsmentionedinthistopic
RobertBaer(othertopics)
JosephE.Persico(othertopics)
JobyWarrick(othertopics)
BrianLatell(othertopics)
JosA.RodrguezJr.(othertopics)

More...

byRobertBaer..."

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Alisa,aterrificbook,believeme!
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message5:byTerrence(new)

Aug15,201110:17AM

Thisbook'safantastichistoryoftheOSS,thegroupthatbasicallyturnedintotheCIA.It'sreally
readableandhasatonoffunanecdotes,notCIAexactlybutalongthesamelines.
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message6:byAlisa(lasteditedAug15,201110:25AM)(new)

Aug15,201110:25AM

Terrencewrote:"
Thisbook'safantastichistoryoftheOSS,thegroupthatbasicallyturnedintotheCIA.It'sreally
readableandhasa..."
Terrence,thanksfortherecommendation!
Iknowtheseareyourfirstfewpostsandthanksforaddingthebookcover,pleasealsorememberto
addtheauthorlink.

by

JosephE.Persico
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message7:byTerrence(new)

Aug15,201110:43AM

Oopsshoot,Ineedtogobackanddothatabunchsorry!!
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message8:byAlisa(new)

Aug15,201111:01AM

You'llgetthehangofit.You'vebeenabusyguytoday!:)Thankssomuch!
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message9:byDaniel(new)

Sep19,201112:03PM

Terrencewrote:"
Thisbook'safantastichistoryoftheOSS,thegroupthatbasicallyturnedintotheCIA.It'sreally
readableandhasa..."
Looksinteresting,maybeI'llcheckitout.
flag*

message10:byAndr(new)

Sep20,201105:01AM

TheTripleAgent:ThealQaedaMolewhoInfiltratedtheCIAbyJobyWarrick
Iussuallydon'tcaretoomuchabouttheblurbs,butherethey'reonspot:
"TheTripleAgentisapageturner....It'samustreadforcounterterrorismandspyjunkies."
AssociatedPress
"Warrickisabrilliantreporterandafinewriter....ThisisasgrippingatruelifespysagaasI'veread
inyears."
BobDrogin,LATimes
"Ariveting,heartwrenchingtale."
TheWashingtonPost
"[An]accessibleandfastpaceddebut....[Warrick]givesthisstoryacinematicfeelwithsuspensful
foreshadowing,richcharacterdevelopment...andaremarkableamountofheart."
PublishersWeekly

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"WarrickhaspiecedtogetherafastpacedandcompellingnarrativethatreadslikeaHollywood
screenplay.HeprovidesararelookatthecareersandpersonallivesofCIAofficers,includingthe
courageouswomenwhoplayedkeyroles....Spellbinding."
ThePhiladelphiaInquirer
"Insightfulandriveting....Mr.Warrickaddsawealthofnewdetailtoanarrativethatreadslikethe
bestspyfiction."
TheWashingtonTimes
"TheTripleAgentisaspythrillerlikenoother.Neverhassuchagiantintelligencedebaclebeen
chronicledthisvividly,thisintimately.Rivetingandharrowing,ladenwithdeceptionandduplicity,it
isaremarkable,behindthecurtainaccountoftheCIAsdarkestdayinAfghanistan."
RajivChandrasekaran,authorofImperialLifeintheEmeraldCity
Absolutelyfirstrate,breakthroughreporting.
BobWoodward,authorofObamasWars
TheTripleAgentisasuperlativepieceofreportingandwriting.JobyWarrickmanagestotakethe
readerinsidetheCIA,Jordanianintelligence,andalQaeda.Hisintimateportraitsofintelligence
officersandtheterroriststheystalkareunforgettable.TheTripleAgentisoneofthebesttruelife
spystoriesIhaveeverread.
DavidIgnatius,columnistfortheWashingtonPostandauthorofBloodmoney
Astartlingandmemorableaccountofdaring,treachery,andcatastropheintheCIAswaragainstal
Qaeda.Thedeadlybuzzofunmanneddrones,thefanaticaldriveofasuicidebomber,andthe
desperatehopesoftheintelligenceagentsatoutpostKhostaredrawntogetherinapowerfulandfast
pacedstoryofourtime.
DavidE.Hoffman,PulitzerPrizewinningauthorofTheDeadHand
TheTripleAgentisbyturnsharrowingandheartbreaking,fascinatingandfrightening.JobyWarrick
takesthereaderdeepinsidetheCIAsbiggestdisastersinceSeptember11,amonumentalblunderthat
allowedanalQaedamole,carryingathirtypoundbomb,intotheagencyshighlysecret,frontline
outpostalongtheAfghanborderwithPakistan.Theblastleftsevenagencyemployeesdeadandmany
questionsunanswered,questionsthatWarrickskillfullyanswersinatalethatreadslikeathrillerand
stretchesfromthedustybackalleysofWaziristantotheplushexecutiveflooratLangley.
JamesBamford,authorofthebestsellingThePuzzlePalace,BodyofSecrets,andTheShadow
Factory
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message11:byAlisa(new)

Apr15,201210:37AM

Anupcomingrelease~

by
BrianLatell
CASTRO'SSECRETSisarivetingaccountofColdWarhistoryandtheU.S.'shistoricallytroubled
relationshipwithitsislandneighbor.HighlyacclaimedauthorandintelligenceexpertBrianLatell
offersastrikinglyoriginalviewofFidelCastroinhisroleasCuba'ssupremespymaster.Basedon
interviewswithhighleveldefectorsfromCuba'spowerfulintelligenceandsecurityservices,Latell
exposeslongburiedsecretsofFidel'snearly50yearreignforthefirsttime.Theyincludenumerous
assassinationsandattemptedonescarriedoutonCastro'sorders,someagainstforeignleaders.More
thanadozenrankingCubansecretagentsembracedbytheCIAandFBIspeakinthesepagessome
havenevertoldtheirstoriesontherecordbefore.LatellalsoprobesdispassionatelyintotheCIA's
mostdeplorableplotsagainstCubaincludingpreviouslyobscureschemestoassassinateCastro
andpresentsshockingnewconclusionsaboutwhatFidelactuallyknewofLeeHarveyOswaldpriorto
theassassinationofJohnF.Kennedy.
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message12:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Apr18,201208:38AM

Interesting,thanksforsharingthisone.
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message13:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

May25,201206:32AM

Anewbook:
HardMeasures:HowAggressiveCIAActionsAfter9/11SavedAmericanLives
(noimage)HardMeasures:HowAggressiveCIAActionsAfter9/11SavedAmericanLivesbyJoseA.
RodriguezJr.
Synopsis
AnexplosivememoiraboutthecreationandimplementationofthecontroversialEnhanced
InterrogationTechniquesbytheformerChiefOperationsOfficerfortheCIA'sCounterterrorism

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Center.
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message14:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

May25,201206:34AM

Another:
TheArtofIntelligence

by

HenryA.Crumpton

Synopsis
AlegendaryCIAspyandcounterterrorismexperttellsthespellbindingstoryofhishighrisk,action
packedcareerwhileillustratingthegrowingimportanceofAmerica'sintelligenceofficersandtheir
secretmissions
Foracrucialperiod,HenryCrumptonledtheCIA'sglobalcovertoperationsagainstAmerica's
terroristenemies,includingalQaeda.Inthedaysafter9/11,theCIAtaskedCrumptontoorganizeand
leadtheAfghanistancampaign.WithCrumpton'sstrategicinitiativeandboldleadership,fromthe
battlefieldtotheOvalOffice,U.S.andAfghanalliesroutedalQaedaandtheTalibaninlessthan
ninetydaysaftertheTwinTowersfell.AttheheightofcombatagainsttheTalibaninlate2001,there
werefewerthanfivehundredAmericansonthegroundinAfghanistan,adynamicblendofCIAand
SpecialForces.ThecampaignchangedthewayAmericawageswar.Thisbookwillchangetheway
AmericaviewstheCIA.
TheArtofIntelligencedrawsfromthefullarcofCrumpton'sespionageandcovertactionexploitsto
explainwhatAmerica'sspiesdoandwhytheirserviceismorevaluablethanever.Fromhisearlyyears
inAfrica,whereherecruitedandransources,fromloathsomecriminalstoheroicwarriorstohis
liaisonassignmentattheFBI,theCIA'sCounterterrorismCenter,thedevelopmentoftheUAV
Predatorprogram,andtheAfghanistanwartohislaterworkrunningallCIAclandestineoperations
insidetheUnitedStates,heemploysenthrallingstorytellingtoteachimportantlessonsabout
nationalsecurity,butalsoaboutduty,honor,andloveofcountry.
NobooklikeTheArtofIntelligencehaseverbeenwrittennotwithCrumpton'suniqueperspective,in
atimewhenAmericafacedsuchgraveanduncertainrisk.Itisanepic,suretobeaclassicintheannals
ofespionageandwar.
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message15:byBentley,GroupFounder,Leader,Chief(new)

May25,201211:09AM

Yes,Imentionedthisonanotherthread.Didyouwatchthevideofrom60minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdkoqe...
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message16:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

May25,201211:15AM

Ihaven'tyet,butIwill,thanks.
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message17:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Aug29,201212:54PM

Thislooksinteresting:
SafeforDemocracy:TheSecretWarsoftheCIA

JohnPrados
Synopsis
romitsfoundingintheaftermathofWorldWarII,theCentralIntelligenceAgencyhasbeen
discoveredinthemidstofsomeofthemostcrucialandmostembarrassingepisodesinUnited
Statesrelationswiththeworld.RichardNixon's1969presidentialorderthatdeclaredCIAcovert
operationsnecessarytotheattainmentofAmericanforeignpolicygoalswasanacknowledgmentthat
secretwarfaretoolshadamuchwiderapplicationthanjustthecoldwarconflictwiththeSoviet
Union.Thequestionofwhat,exactly,theseoperationshavecontributedtoU.S.policyhaslongbeen
neglectedintherushtoaccusetheCIAofbeinga"rogueelephant"ormerelylistingitsnefarious
deeds.SafeforDemocracyforthefirsttimeplacesthestoryoftheCIA'scovertoperationssquarelyin
thecontextofAmerica'sglobalquestfordemocraticvaluesandinstitutions.Nationalsecurity

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historianJohnPradosoffersacomprehensivehistoryoftheCIA'ssecretwarsthatisasclosetoa
definitiveaccountasispossibletoday.Hedrawsonthreedecadesofresearchtoilluminatethemen
andwomenoftheintelligenceestablishment,theirresourcesandtechniques,theirtriumphsand
failures.Inadramaticandrevealingnarrative,SafeforDemocracynotonlyrelatestheinsidestories
ofcovertoperationsbutexaminesinmeticulousdetailtheeffortsofpresidentsandCongressto
controltheCIAandthespecificchoicesmadeintheagency'ssecretwars.AlongthewayMr.Prados
offerseyeopeningaccountsofthecovertactionsthemselves,fromradicallyrevisedinterpretations
ofclassicoperationslikeIran,Guatemala,Chile,andtheBayofPigstolesserknownprojectslike
TibetandAngolatovirtuallyunknowntalesoftheCIAinGuyanaandGhana.Hesuppliesfull
accountsofReaganeraoperationsinNicaraguaandAfghanistan,andbringsthestoryuptodatewith
accountsofmorerecentactivitiesinSomalia,Bosnia,andIraq,allthewhilekeepingAmericanforeign
policygoalsinview.
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message18:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Aug29,201212:56PM

RichardHelmswroteabook:
ALookOverMyShoulder

RichardHelms

Synopsis
ALookoverMyShoulderbeginswithPresidentNixonsattempttoembroiltheCentralIntelligence
Agency,ofwhichRichardHelmswasthenthedirector,intheWatergatecoverup.Helmsthenrecalls
hiseducationinSwitzerlandandGermanyandatWilliamsCollegehisearlycareerasaforeign
correspondentinBerlin,duringwhichheoncelunchedwithHitlerandhisreturntonewspaperwork
intheUnitedStates.HelmsservedontheGermandeskatOSSheadquartersinLondon
subsequently,hewasassignedtoAllenDullessBerlinofficeinpostwarGermany.
OnhisreturntoWashington,HelmsassumedresponsibilityfortheOSScarryoveroperationsin
Germany,Austria,andEasternEurope.HeremainedinthispostuntiltheCentralIntelligenceAgency
wasformedin1947.AtCIA,Helmsservedinmanypositions,ultimatelybecomingtheorganizations
directorfrom1966to1973.HewasappointedambassadortoIranlaterthatyearandretiredfrom
governmentserviceinJanuary1977.ItwasoftenthoughtthatRichardHelms,whoservedlongerin
theCentralIntelligenceAgencythananyoneelse,wouldnevertellhisstory,buthereitisrevealing,
newsmaking,andwithcandidassessmentsofthecontroversiesandtriumphsofaremarkablecareer.
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message19:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(lasteditedAug29,201212:58PM)(new)
Aug29,201212:58PM

U.S.CovertOperationsandColdWarStrategy
(noimage)USCovertOperationsandColdWarStrategy:Truman,SecretWarfareandtheCIA,
194553bySarahJaCorke
Synopsis
Basedonrecentlydeclassifieddocuments,thisbookprovidesthefirstexaminationoftheTruman
AdministrationsdecisiontoemploycovertoperationsintheColdWar.
AlthoughcovertoperationswereanintegralpartofAmericasarsenalduringthelate1940sandearly
1950s,themajorityoftheseoperationswereillconceived,unrealisticandultimatelydoomedto
failure.Inthisvolume,theauthorlooksatthreecentralquestions:Whywerethesetypesof
operationsadopted?Whyweretheyconductedinsuchahaphazardmanner?And,why,onceit
becameclearthattheywerenotworking,didtheadministrationfailtoabandonthem?
ThebookarguesthattheTrumanAdministrationwasunabletoreconcilepolicy,strategyand
operationssuccessfully,andtoagreeonaconsistentcourseofactionforwagingtheColdWar.This
ensuredthattheywastedtimeandeffort,moneyandmanpoweroncovertoperationsdesignedto
challengeSoviethegemony,whichhadlittleornorealchanceofsuccess.
USCovertOperationsandColdWarStrategywillbeofgreatinteresttostudentsofUSforeign
policy,ColdWarhistory,intelligenceandinternationalhistoryingeneral.
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message20:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Aug29,201201:01PM

TheAgency:TheRiseandDeclineoftheCIA

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JohnRanelagh
Synopsis(ReviewbyForeignAffairs)
Mr.Ranelagh,aBritishtelevisionproducer,haswrittenthebestcomprehensivehistoryoftheCIA.
Heisincontrolofthemassivesecondaryliterature,hasusedtheFreedomofInformationAct
effectively,interviewedwidely,andminedcongressionalsources.Thetoneiscriticalbutdetached,
devoidofboththemuckrakingpassionoftheleftandtheselfcongratulatoryapproachoftheoldboy
network.Afinebook.
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message21:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Aug29,201201:03PM

HonorableMen:MyLifeintheCIA

WilliamE.Colby

Synopsis
Thefirsthalfofthiscandidandrevealingmemoirrecountstheauthor'scareerasapractitionerof
covertactioninWorldWarIIandafterwardinSweden,ItalyandVietnam.Theoperator'slimited
viewpointmayseemtosometocolorhisjudgments,especiallyofSouthVietnameseleaders.Thisis
thededicatedprofessionalatwork,withfewsecondthoughts,muchquietheroism,andlittlesenseof
ambiguityorirony(astheverytitlesuggests),inanerawhenhistradewasgenerallyaccepted.The
lasthalfhasvastlywiderdimensions.AsColbymovedtoseniorcommandinCIA,hisfirstclasslegal
mindandtrainingcameincreasinglyintoplayatatimewhentheyweremostneeded.Hisarticulate
anddetailedaccountoftheperiodafter1971withintheAgency,andofitsstormyrelationswith
Congress,thepressandthepublic,doesmuchtoclarifyatangledstory,andtheauthor'sevolving
conductandjudgments,underenormouspressurefromallsides,seemtothisreviewertohavebeen
essentiallyrightandpersuasivecertainlyascomparedtothestonewallingurgedbymany.Whilethe
elementofselfjustificationcanhardlybeabsent,thebasicviewpointis,morethaninmostsuch
memoirs,tragicColbystressesthehistorical(andpeculiarlyAmerican)contextoftheactionsand
misdeedsbothoftheAgencyandofitslatterdaycritics.TheresultbelongsalongsidetheChurch
CommitteeReportastothepastandpresent,andintheforefrontofseriousdebateaboutthefuture
roleandstructureofintelligenceandcovertoperationsintheAmericandemocraticsystem.Onecan
arguewithmanyoftheauthor'sconclusions,notablyhiscontinuedbiastowardcovertoperations
andhistreatmentofthecentralanalysisfunctionofintelligenceis,bythesametoken,skimpy.But
thisisabigandimportantbook.Itdeservestobereadwhole,andcarefully.
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message22:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Aug29,201201:05PM

GeneralWalterBedellSmithasDirectorofCentralIntelligence

LudwellLeeMontague
Synopsis
ThisbookcontinuestheofficialhistoryoftheCIAbeguninArthurDarling'sTheCentralIntelligence
Agency.LudwellLeeMontague'sbookisoneofthefirstdocuments,alongwithDarling'shistory,tobe
declassifiedandmadeavailableundertheCIA'sHistoricalReviewProgram,launchedin1985.
Montaguewasaleadinggovernmentofficialwhoparticipatedintheinterdepartmentaldebateover
thepostwarorganizationofU.S.intelligencethatoccurredin1945.Hedraftedmanyofthepoliciesof
theJointChiefsofStaffduringthisbureaucraticstruggle,includingJIC239/5,theplanthatwasalso
thebasisfortheestablishmentoftheCentralIntelligenceGroup,thepredecessoroftheCIA.He
servedasGeneralSmith'sexecutiveassistantwhenSmithwasappointedDirectorofCentral
Intelligencein1950.MontaguecontendsthatSmithissoimportanttothedevelopmentofthe
intelligencecommunitythatthehistoryofthecommunitycanlegitimatelybethoughtofas"pre
SmithandpostSmith."ThebookfocusesontheinitiativesthatSmithimplementedinorderto
reformtheU.S.intelligencecommunity,whichwasunderheavycriticismatthetimeforaseriesof
intelligencefailure.Thereorganizationoftheintelligencecommunitydescribedhercontains,with
justafewexceptions,thepredecessorsofthemajororganizationalcomponentsoftoday'sCIA.This
bookservesasanimportantcompaniontoArthurDarling'sbookinthatitprovidesbothbackground
materialandMontague'sopinionconcerninghowDarling'sstudycameintoexistence.Mostofthis
worksurvivedthedeclassificationprocessrelativelyintacttogiveusadetailedanalysisofacritical
periodinthedevelopmentoftheintelligencecommunity.
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message23:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Aug29,201201:07PM

RaidersoftheChinaCoast

FrankHolober
Synopsis(AFIOReview)
AnauthenticlivelyandfirsthandaccountofCIAoperationstobuildaguerillamovementthatwould
divertCommunistChinesetroopsfromtheKoreanfront.Theauthor,aCIAFarEastspecialistand
Chinascholar,servedwiththeQuemoypartisansfortenmonths195152,andtookpartinthe
clandestinepartisanoperationsagainsttheChinesemainland.Thenarrativeisanecdotal,an
eyewitnessaccountthatliftstheveilofsecrecyonspecialoperationsinawarthathasslippedfrom
publicconsciousnesseventhoughasmanyAmericansdiedinKoreaasdidinVietnam.Itcanberead
asarousingstoryorashistory,celebratinganexceptionalcastofAmericancharactersinvolvedin
theseclandestineoperations,includingmorethan8,000courageousChineseguerillafighters.
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message24:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Aug29,201201:08PM

TheCIA'sSecretWarinTibet

KennethJ.Conboy
Synopsis
DefianceagainstChineseoppressionhasbeenadefiningcharacteristicofTibetanlifeformorethan
fourdecades,symbolizedmostvisiblybythemuchreveredDalaiLama.ButthestoryofTibetan
resistanceweavesafarrichertapestrythananyonemighthaveimagined.
KennethConboyandJamesMorrisonrevealhowAmerica'sCentralIntelligenceAgencyencouraged
Tibet'srevoltagainstChinaandeventuallycametocontrolitsfledglingresistancemovement.They
providethefirstcomprehensive,aswellasmostcompellingaccountofthislittleknownagency
enterprise.
TheCIA'sSecretWarinTibettakesreadersfromtrainingcampsintheColoradoRockiestothescene
ofclandestineoperationsintheHimalayas,chroniclingtheagency'shelpinsecuringtheDalaiLama's
safepassagetoIndiaandsubsequentinitiationofoneofthemostremotecovertcampaignsofthe
ColdWar.ConboyandMorrisonprovidepreviouslyunreporteddetailsaboutsecretmissions
undertakeninextraordinarilyharshconditions.Theirbookgreatlyexpandsonpreviousmemoirsby
CIAofficialsbyputtingvirtuallyeverymajoragencyparticipantonrecordwithdetailsofclandestine
operations.Italsocallsaswitnessesthepeoplewhomanagedandfoughtintheprogramincluding
TibetanandNepaleseagents,Indianintelligenceofficers,andevenmissionaircrews.
ConboyandMorrisontakepainstotellthestoryfromallperspectives,particularlythatoftheformer
Tibetanguerrillas,manyofwhomhavegoneonrecordhereforthefirsttime.Theauthorsalsotell
howTibetledAmericaandIndiatobecomesecretpartnersoverthecourseofseveralpresidential
administrationsandcitedozensofIndianandTibetanintelligencedocumentsdirectlyrelatedtothese
covertoperations.
AsthemovementforTibetanliberationcontinuestoattractinternationalsupport,Tibet'sstatus
remainsacontentiousissueinbothWashingtonandBeijing.Thisbooktakesreadersinsideacovert
warfoughtwithTibetanbloodandU.S.sponsorshipandallowsustobetterunderstandthetrue
natureofthatcontroversy.
ThisbookispartoftheModernWarStudiesseries.
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message25:byJerome(lasteditedAug29,201202:38PM)(new)

Aug29,201202:13PM

There'sabunchoftitlesontheGoodreadsListopiaList
TheRealCIA
(I'mnottryingto"promote"thelistorwhatever,butthere'salmost100booksonit)
Andsomefrommytoreadshelf:

byRonaldKessler

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byStansfieldTurner

byDavidMorehouse

by
ChristopherRobbins

DanielRobertGraham

byDinoBrugioni

byJamesE.ParkerJr.

byNickCullather

ThomasLeoBriggs

byJamesE.ParkerJr.

byKennethJ.Conboy

byIanJohnson

byRhodriJeffreysJones

byWilliamM.Leary

byAllenCates

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Goodreads|TheHistoryBookClubAMERICANGOVERNMENT:CIA(showing150of196)

EvanThomas

byBurtonHersh

byJeffersonMorley

by

SteveHendricks

byJosephJ.Trento

byPhilipTaubman

byCatherineCollins

byNormanPolmar

byThomasLaird

byFabianEscalante
TheWarThatNeverWasAnInsider'sAccountOfCiaCovert
OperationsAgainstCubabyBradleyEarlAyers

byBradleyEarlAyers

byWarnerSmith

byJosephB.Kelly

byAndyAnderson

byCaroleMcGranahan

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message26:byJerome(new)

Aug29,201202:13PM

Bryanwrote:"Thislooksinteresting:
SafeforDemocracy:TheSecretWarsoftheCIA

JohnPrados
Synopsis
romitsfoundingintheaftermathofWorld..."
"SafeforDemocracy"wasagreatbook,Ifinisheditafewdaysago.
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message27:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Aug30,201207:00AM

Greatlist,Jerome.Justacoupleoftweaks:
Needatitlelinkforbookswithoutbookcovers:
(noimage)TheWarThatNeverWas:AnInsider'sAccountOfCiaCovertOperationsAgainstCubaby
BradleyEarlAyers
McGranahan'spicturegotturnedaround:

CaroleMcGranahan
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message28:byJerome(lasteditedSep17,201201:22PM)(new)

Sep16,201206:35PM

Thisbooklookskindofdumb.

byJohnJacobNutter.
Thesourcesareoutdated,peopletellme,andithaslotsofweirdstoriesabouttheAgencystealing
JimmyCarter'sbriefingbooksandgivingthemtoReagan,thingslikethat.
Maybeyouguysmightwanttocheckitout,Idon't.
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message29:byJerome(new)

Sep18,201201:00PM

ThishereisaremarkablydetailedaccountofoneoftheAgency'smorecontroversialcovert
actionprograms,startedunderBillClintonandexpandedunderGeorgeBush:

byStephenGreydescribesinmeticulousdetailtheCIA's"rendition"program,whereCIA
contractedplanes(asortofnew"AirAmerica",nowcalledAeroContractorsLtd.),flyterrorist
suspectsto"blacksites"inCentralAsiaandtheMiddleEasttobeinterrogated,essentially
"subcontracting"interrogationtoothercountriestoavoidbreakingUSlaw.
It'sfairlyinteresting,andistoldinanarrative,neutral,justthefactsstyle.Thisisn'tapoliticalrant,
despitewhatthetitlemayimply.
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message30:byJerome(new)

Sep21,201208:08AM

Here'sanupcomingbiographyofWilliamColby,CIAdirector19731976,tobereleasedon
November15.HewasalsoCIAstationchiefinSaigonduringthewarinVietnam.

byCarlColby
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https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/562848cia

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message31:byBentley,GroupFounder,Leader,Chief(lasteditedSep21,201209:20AM)(new)

Sep21,201209:19AM

ThankyouJeromeyouaregettingahandleonthecitations.
Andyouaremakingsomegoodadds.YouseemtobetryingtofollowtheformatthatBryanuses
inforexamplepost23.Itisalwaysgoodtohavesomeinformationaboutthebookitself.
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message32:byJerome(new)

Sep21,201211:56AM

Isawatrailerforafilmtitled"Argo"(intheatersOctober12),abouttheCIAandtheIran
HostageCrisis.Itlookedprettygood,andturnsoutthatit'sabook,too.

byAntonioMendez
Synopsis
OnNovember4,1979,IranianmilitantsstormedtheAmericanembassyinTehranandcaptured
dozensofAmericanhostages,sparkinga444dayordealandaquakeinglobalpoliticsstill
reverberatingtoday.Butthereisalittleknowndramaconnectedtothecrisis:sixAmericansescaped.
AndatoplevelCIAofficernamedAntonioMendezdevisedaningeniousyetincrediblyriskyplanto
rescuethembeforetheyweredetected.DisguisinghimselfasaHollywoodproducer,andsupported
byacastofexpertforgers,deepcoverCIAoperatives,foreignagents,andHollywoodspecialeffects
artists,MendeztraveledtoTehranundertheguiseofscoutinglocationsforafakesciencefictionfilm
calledArgo.Whilepretendingtofindtheperfectfilmbackdrops,Mendezandacolleaguesucceeded
incontactingtheescapees,andsmugglingthemoutofIran.AntonioMendezfinallydetailsthe
extraordinarilycomplexanddangerousoperationheledmorethanthreedecadesago.Ariveting
storyofsecretidentitiesandinternationalintrigue,Argoisthegrippingaccountofthehistory
makingcollusionbetweenHollywoodandhighstakesespionage.
Relatedtitles:

byRezaKahlili

by

RobertWright
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message33:byBentley,GroupFounder,Leader,Chief(new)

Sep21,201212:23PM

Jerome,nowyouhaveyourcitationsandpostsjustlikeBryan,waytogothatisthe
moderator'srequiredformatandyouhavemastereditandareusingit.Terrific.
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message34:byJerome(new)

Sep21,201212:51PM

byChrisPocock

byFrdricLert
Synopsis
FredericLerthassupplementedtechnicalinformationavailableintheU.S.withEuropeansources
andinterviewswithformerCIAcontractagentslivingabroadtopresentauniqueandheavily
illustratedportraitofAgencyaerialoperationsfrom1948tothepresent.
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message35:byBentley,GroupFounder,Leader,Chief(new)

Sep21,201204:19PM

GoodjobJerome:thereisonlyoneadditionthatBryanandthemoderatorsaddandthatisthe
titleatthetopinboldforexamplethisishowtheoneabovewouldlook:
WingsoftheCIA

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/562848cia

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byFrdricLert
Synopsis
FredericLerthassupplementedtechnicalinformationavailableintheU.S.withEuropeansources
andinterviewswithformerCIAcontractagentslivingabroadtopresentauniqueandheavily
illustratedportraitofAgencyaerialoperationsfrom1948tothepresent.
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message36:byBentley,GroupFounder,Leader,Chief(lasteditedSep21,201204:20PM)(new) Sep21,201204:20PM

JeromealsonormallywedoonebookperpostifyouwouldliketoemulateBryan,etc.
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message37:byJerome(new)

Sep21,201204:34PM

'kay,thanks.
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message38:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Sep21,201205:04PM

Imitationisthehighestformofflattery,lol.
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message39:byBentley,GroupFounder,Leader,Chief(new)

Sep21,201205:09PM

Yes,itisandrightlyso(smile).
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message40:byJerome(new)

Sep22,201205:50AM

Ha!
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message41:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Nov09,201201:34PM

Hmmm...IthinksomeoneintheCIAhadanaxetogrind:
DavidPetraeusresignsasCIADirector:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/n...
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message42:byAlisa(new)

Nov09,201202:06PM

Bryanwrote:"Hmmm...IthinksomeoneintheCIAhadanaxetogrind:
DavidPetraeusresignsasCIADirector:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/n......"
Somethingotherthanthepubliclystatedreasonisbehindit,that'sforsure.Shouldbeinterestingto
seewhoreplaceshim.
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message43:byJill,AssistingModeratorMilitaryHistL/GlobalNF/Eur/Brit/Music(new)
Nov10,201208:29PM

IheardthattheFBIdiscoveredemailsinPetraeus'scomputerwiththewomaninvolved.So
whyweretheymonitoringhisemails?Thiswholeissueissuspect.
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message44:byBryan,AssistingModeratorPresidentialSeries(new)

Nov11,201204:55AM

IbelievetheFBIwasinvestigatingifabiographerhadaccesstoPetraeus'emails.Heendedup
havinganaffairwiththebiographer.
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message45:byAlisa(new)

Nov11,201212:56PM

ThisarticlefromTheSeattleTimesspellsitoutabitfurther.Whatamess.
http://seattletimes.com/html/nationwo...
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message46:byChristopher(new)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/562848cia

Nov11,201203:55PM

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ThanksforthelinkAlisathisdefinitelyshedssomelightonwhathappened!
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message47:byJerome(new)

Nov12,201201:29PM

Thisbookwasverygood:
FirstIn:AnInsider'sAccountofHowtheCIASpearheadedtheWaronTerrorin
Afghanistan

byGarySchroen
Synopsis
WhileAmericahelditsbreathinthedaysimmediatelyfollowing9/11,asmallbutdeterminedgroup
ofCIAagentscovertlybegantochangehistory.Thisistherivetingfirstpersonaccountofthe
treacheroustopsecretmissioninsideAfghanistantosetthestageforthedefeatoftheTalibanand
launchthewaronterror.
Asthrillingasanynovel,FirstInisauniquelyintimatelookatamissionthatbegantheU.S.
retaliationagainstterrorismandreclaimedthecountryofAfghanistanforitspeople.
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message48:byAlisa(new)

Nov12,201201:54PM

GreatadditionJerome.Looksinteresting,thanksforthepost.
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message49:byJerome(new)

Jan01,201307:22PM

Thissoundsveryinteresting.Unfortunatelywe'llhavetowaituntilAprilforittocomeout:
TheShadowWar:TheCIA,aSecretArmy,andthePursuitofAmerica'sEnemies
totheEndsoftheEarth

byMarkMazzetti
Synopsis
APulitzerPrizewinningreportersexplosiveaccountofthetransformationoftheCIAandAmericas
specialforcesintocompetingcovertmanhuntingandkillingoperationsthenewAmericanwayof
war
OsamabinLadensdemisewasmerelyonesensationalmomentinthefirstdecadeofAmericas
shadowwar,thetransformationofthenationalsecurityapparatusintoamachinecalibratedfor
manhuntingoperations.BeyondthebigwarsinAfghanistanandIraq,Americahaspursuedits
enemieswithkillerrobotsandspecialoperationstroopstrainedprivateersforassassination
missionsandusedthemtosetupclandestinespyingnetworksandreliedonmercurialdictators,
unreliableforeignintelligenceservices,andragtagproxyarmies.Theshadowwarhasblurredthe
linesbetweensoldiersandspies,loweredthebarforwagingwararoundtheglobe,andchangedfor
goodhowAmericafightsitsbattles:Thisisthenewwayofwar.Anewmilitaryintelligencecomplex
hasemerged.
TheCIA,createdasaColdWarespionageservice,isnowmorethaneveraparamilitaryagency
orderedbytheWhiteHousetokilloffAmericasenemies:fromthesustainedbombingcampaignin
themountainsofPakistanandthedesertsofYemenandNorthAfricatothesimmeringclanwarsin
Somalia.Foritspart,thePentagonhasturnedintotheCIA,dramaticallyexpandingspyingmissions
inthedarkspacesofU.S.foreignpolicy,likeIran.Thecountrieswhereradicalgroupshavecarvedout
wide,remoteswathsofterritoryareoftentheveryplacesmostopenlyhostiletoAmerican
intervention.Wherethesoldierscantgo,theUnitedStatessendsdrones,proxies,andgunsforhire.
PulitzerPrizewinnerMarkMazzettiexaminesthesesecretwarsoverthepastdecade,trackingkey
charactersfromtheintelligenceandmilitarycommunitiesacrosstheworld.Amongthecharacterswe
meetinTheShadowWarareayoungCIAofficerdroppedintothetribalareastolearnthehardway
howthespygamesinPakistanareplayed,anAirForcetestpilotwhofiredthefirstdronemissilein
theNevadadesert,achainsmokingPentagonofficialwhorananoffthebooksspyingoperationin
AfghanistanandPakistan,awomanfromthehorsecountryofVirginiawhobecameobsessedwith
SomaliaandconvincedthePentagontohirehertogatherintelligenceaboutalQaedaoperatives
there.Gripping,newsbreaking,andpowerfullytold,TheShadowWarrevealsthetruenatureof
Americanwarfareinthetwentyfirstcenturyamodelthatisheretostay.
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message50:byJerome(new)

Feb01,201310:39AM

ThiscomesoutinAprilaswell:
ShadowWarrior:WilliamEganColbyandtheCIA

byRandallBennettWoods
Synopsis
WorldWarIIcommando,ColdWarspy,andCIAdirectorunderpresidentsNixonandFord,William
EganColbyplayedacriticalroleinsomeofthemostpivotaleventsofthetwentiethcentury.A
quintessentialmemberofthegreatestgeneration,Colbyembodiedthemoralandstrategic
ambiguitiesofthepostwarworld,andfirstconfrontedmanyofthedilemmasaboutpowerand
secrecythatAmericastillgrappleswithtoday.
InShadowWarrior,eminenthistorianRandallB.WoodspresentsarivetingbiographyofColby,
revealingthatthiscrusaderforglobaldemocracywasalsodrawntothedarkersideofAmerican
power.AimingtohelpreversethespreadoftotalitarianisminEuropeandAsia,ColbyjoinedtheU.S.
Armyin1941,justasAmericaenteredWorldWarII.HeservedwithdistinctioninFranceand
Norway,andattheendofthewartransitionedintoAmericasfirstpeacetimeintelligenceagency:the
CIA.Freshfromthefightagainstfascism,Colbyzealouslyredirectedhiseffortsagainstinternational
communism.Heinsistedontheimportanceoffightingcommunismontheground,doggedlyapplying
guerillatacticsforcounterinsurgency,sabotage,surveillance,andinformationgatheringonthenew
battlefieldsoftheColdWar.Overtime,thesestrategiesbecameincreasinglyruthlessasheadofthe
CIAsFarEastDivision,Colbyoversawanendlesssuccessionofassassinationattempts,coups,secret
warsinLaosandCambodia,andthePhoenixProgram,inwhich20,000civiliansupportersofthe
Vietcongwerekilled.ColbyultimatelycamecleanaboutmanyoftheCIAsillegalactivities,making
publicasetofinternalreportsknownasthefamilyjewelsthathaunttheagencytothisday.
Ostracizedfromtheintelligencecommunity,hediedundersuspiciouscircumstancesamurkyending
toalifelivedintheshadows.
Drawingonmultiplenewsources,includinginterviewswithmembersofColbysfamily,Woodshas
craftedagrippingbiographyofoneofthemostfascinatingandcontroversialfiguresofthetwentieth
century.
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