European University Institute Library

Intelligence wars, American secret history from Hitler to al-Qaeda, Thomas Powers

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

index present

non fiction

Intelligence wars

bibliography

50184833

Thomas Powers

American secret history from Hitler to al-Qaeda

These essays about U.S. intelligence services, from Thomas Powers -- acknowledged secret intelligence authority and Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist -- trace a history of brilliant successes, ghastly failures, and gripping uncertainties. They range from the exploits of Wild Bill Donovan during World War II, to the CIA's elaborate cold war struggles with the KGB, to debates about the role of secret intelligence in the post-Cold War world. Here too are analyses of the Bay of Pigs fiasco and the Kennedy assassination, William Casey's years as CIA director under Ronald Reagan, the Aldrich Ames scandal, and such urgent contemporary issues as whether the CIA is up to the challenge of defending America against terrorism

The, underground entrepreneur -- The, conspiracy that failed -- Founding father -- Phantom spies at Los Alamos -- The, plot thickens -- The, riddle inside the enigma -- The, bloodless war -- Saving the Shah -- And after we've struck Cuba? -- The, heart of the story -- The, mind of the assassin -- The, interesting one -- Marilyn was the least of it -- Soviet intentions and capabilities -- The, ears of America -- Notes from underground -- Doing the right thing -- Last of the cowboys -- The, bottom line -- No laughing matter -- Who won the Cold War? -- The, black arts -- The, trouble with the CIA -- America's new intelligence war