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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?

December 18th, 2007 Categories: Books

Doug Cummings

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…
Doug Cummings

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…
Doug Cummings

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…
Doug Cummings

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…
http://www.roicommerce.com Fred Elabed

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
http://www.roicommerce.com Fred Elabed

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
http://blog.orch8.net/ Elliot Turner

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
Chip Griffin

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.
Chip Griffin

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.

Stuart Horner

Another recommendation for Legacy of Ashes from inside the beltway.

Don Jones

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

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.

http://intensedebate.com/people/doug_cummin3609 doug_cummin3609

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…
Doug Cummings

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…
Doug Cummings

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…

http://www.feld.com Brad Feld

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.

Bill

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.
http://www.kidmercuryblog.com kid mercury

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…
Jen White

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-…
Patrick

“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.

http://www.protrails.com David Schwartz

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

http://www.protrails.com Dave Schwartz

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
http://www.protrails.com David Schwartz

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
Elliot Turner

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
http://intensedebate.com/people/chipgriffin chipgriffin

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.
http://intensedebate.com/people/chipgriffin chipgriffin

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.
http://intensedebate.com/people/don_jones3607 don_jones3607

Anatomy of a failure? (Only half-joking…)
http://intensedebate.com/people/bfeld bfeld

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.
http://intensedebate.com/people/bruce2096 bruce2096

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.
Stuart Horner

Another recommendation for Legacy of Ashes from inside the beltway.
kid mercury

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…
Patrick

"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.
http://intensedebate.com/people/bill3618 bill3618

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.
http://intensedebate.com/people/jen_white3628 jen_white3628

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-…

History of the CIA

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