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December 18, 2007

History of the CIA

I’m looking for a great book on the history of the CIA. Any recommendations from out there in the blogosphere?

1951CommentsHistory+of+the+CIA2007-12-19+01%3A20%3A27Brad+Feld | Posted in: Books | Posted by: Brad Feld

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Brad,

I am looking as well for a good CIA book. I recently read this book- By Way of Deception: The Making and Unmaking of a Mossad Officer- http://www.amazon.com/Way-Deception-Making-Unmaki...

I found it interesting.
Thanks,
Fred

Comment by Fred Elabed — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

Check out "True Men & Traitors: My Life in the CIA".

http://www.amazon.com/True-Men-Traitors-Life-CIA/...

I just finished this up a few weeks ago, it was an enjoyable read.
Regards,

Elliot

Comment by Elliot Turner — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

I can't think of a pure CIA history book at the moment that I would recommend, but "The Wizards of Langley" by Jeffrey T. Richelson is a decent one about its Directorate of Science & Technology. For a broader look at American intelligence, I highly recommend "For the President's Eyes Only" by Christopher Andrew. And James Bamford's "Body of Secrets" is a fantastic read about the National Security Agency, which of course has been in the news quite a bit in recent years.

Comment by chipgriffin — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

A excellent fictional look at the history of the CIA is "The Company" by Robert Littell. It's sometimes said you can learn more about a subject from fiction than non fiction.
http://www.amazon.com/Company-Robert-Littell/dp/B...

Comment by Doug Cummings — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

I also asked this question on Twitter and numerous folks suggested "Legacy of Ashes" by Tim Weiner. I have yet to read it myself, so I can't offer a personal opinion.

Comment by chipgriffin — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

Anatomy of a failure? (Only half-joking…)

Comment by don_jones3607 — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

I just watched the movie (Showtime series?) on video. It was excellent. Amy told me the book was even better. I like Littell so I'll check it out.

Comment by bfeld — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

Legacy of Ashes – <http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Ashes-History-Tim-We...

although take it with a grain of salt since it's somewhat critical.

and it's available for the kindle!

If you want to concentrate a little more on the early years, this contrasts interestingly with the above: <http://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Men-Daring-Early/...

If you reach the point where you want to go deeper into the spookiness of our spy agencies, read up the NSA. I remember reading the Puzzle Palace sometime in the mid-80s before the government would admit the nsa even existed and was blown away.

<http://www.amazon.com/Puzzle-Palace-National-Inte...

The author followed up twenty years later with

<http://www.amazon.com/Body-Secrets-Ultra-Secret-N...

which was a good read when I got to it last year or so. Oddly, I have no idea how they actually compare since the majority of my life happened between the two readings.

Comment by bruce2096 — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

Another recommendation for Legacy of Ashes from inside the beltway.

Comment by Stuart Horner — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

i highly recommend "CIA and the cult of intelligence" by ex-CIA agent victor marchetti. amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/CIA-Cult-Intelligence-Victo...

Comment by kid mercury — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

"The Man Who Kept the Secrets" is a good account of the history of the CIA, focusing on it's main man, Richard Helms, who recently passed away.

Comment by Patrick — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

Brad, check out this book if you are interested in the creation of the CIA:

http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2007_nf_weiner.htm...

It is excellent. Hope all is well!

Best Regards,

Dave Schwartz
ProTrails

Comment by Dave Schwartz — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

Brad,

I happen to be currently reading Veil: The Secret Wars of the CIA which is a historical account of the CIA through the Reagan years. It was written by Bob Woodward of Watergate fame.

It was written in 1987 but it is amazing to read about many of the names (Robert Gates, unnamed Osama Bin Laden) and policies (sorry, Jimmy Carter) that have led us to where we are today. It is narrow and deep covering the Reagan era, but very enlightening.

Not THE history of the CIA, but probably something to put on the list after a full historical account.

Comment by bill3618 — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am

A great book on the history that led to the formation of the CIA is "A Man Called Intrepid" http://www.amazon.com/Man-Called-Intrepid-Secret-...

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History of the CIA