Subjects:  1. 1953-1961    2. 20th century    3. Caribbean & West Indies - Cuba    4. Cuba    5. Espionage    6. Espionage, American    7. Foreign relations    8. General    9. History    10. Intelligence Operations    11. Latin America - General    12. Military Science    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Relations    15. Science/Mathematics    16. Subversive activities    17. Technology    18. United States    19. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    20. Espionage & secret services    21. Political Science / General    22. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle    23. USA   

Reviews (2)

Comprehensive and Concise
John Ranelagh's book, The Agency: The Rise and Decline of the CIA, is the definitive text on the CIA. It is comprehensive yet concise; moreover, Mr. Ranelagh took on a major project in creating this masterpiece, with so much information, and so much history, it would be nearly impossible to write an accurate history of the CIA. Yet Ranelagh accomplishes this feat marvelously. I, personally, would liked to have seen more on the scientific branch of the CIA in this book; however, it would have made the text to long and cumbersome. A much needed third edition would be relative, seeing as that the book does end with the Iran-Contra scandal, and the CIA's history has grown and transformed over the last decade with the appointment of George Tenet as its Director.

The Definitive History of U.S. Cold War Intelligence
Ranelagh, in a massive and engaging tome, brings alive the characters and story of the CIA in a fair and balanced way. My graduate class on National Security Affairs and the Intelligence Community used this book as one of the primary texts. From Julia Childs to James Jesus Angelton to Richard Colby to William Casey, this wonderful story tells the history of the Agency, its people and their interaction with presidents, Congress, the Soviet Union (KGB) and the foreign policy process. It covers the assasination attempts of Castro and various other figures as well as such bizarre episodes such as the attempt to rig up a cat as an assasin.I couldn't put the book down once I got started, however, because of the depth and breadth of its coverage. Make no mistake, this is a serious, meticulously researched and encompassing historical work. The book is as good a history of the Cold War as it is of the CIA, and covers high level decisionmaking at the presidential and Congressional level from WWII through the Reagan Administration. Not a diatribe for or against the CIA or US foreign poilicy, Agency is a first rate account of the actual events and people behind them at all the critical moments in the CIA's history. Ranelagh does a superb job at explaining the context behind the decsions that were made. For example, he gives the reader an awesome sense of the fear of Communism that lead to extreme measures being taken at various junctures without being an apologist. This book is absolutely essential reading for those in the intelligence, foreign policy and defense communities, and highly recommended for anyone interested in Cold War history. Perhaps more importantly, its a terrific read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central Intelligence Agency    2. Espionage    3. History    4. History: American    5. True Crime / Espionage    6. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    7. United States    8. United States.   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Espionage    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. History: World    7. Military - World War II   

Reviews (8)

Eavesdropping for Drongoes
In the introductory chapter, the author writes "This book explores some important tools for gathering firsthand information on spouses, CEOs, politicians and the girl next door."There aren't too many techniques for eavesdropping on CEOs or politicians in this book, so we assume the average reader would be concentrating on the other targets.The author describes himself as a semi-retired private investigator.Like most authors within this genre he tells a few war stories, but his clients mostly seem to be suspicious husbands or wives and a couple of insurance or workers compensation cases.So this is a book on how to eavesdrop on soft targets. Awesome book
WOW. Let me say right up front that this book is "No-holds-barred". It's obviously written for people who already know electronics at least at a hobby level. I'm almost afraid to put this one online, so let me say that it IS ONLY for Academic Study! While not as detailed and comprehensive as some other books I have reviewed, what it does cover is "In your face", down and dirty, and from my experience as an Electrical Engineer, VERY workable. How to crack answering machines and make free calls are among the listed topics, Paladin makes it clear that this is for Academic Study only. Brother, if you are caught doing anything this book shows, you WILL go to jail! Outdated and not worth the money
The first half of the book has some useful information. It gives the schematics and even PCB tracing patterns for a couple of decent devices, one of which is a very simple (and thus small) crystal controlled voice transmitter. In my opinion these 10 pages or so of useful info are not worth the price of the book. There is better stuff out there. The second half of the book contains some very outdated info on things like analog 800MHz cell phone interception and listening to the old style 46Mhz and 900 Mhz analog cordless phones. He also wastes a great deal of space on a dtmf tone decoder, which are not very expensive or difficult to find anyway. All in all a poor excuse for this kind of book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. Electronic surveillance    3. Electronics - Circuits - General    4. Electronics - General    5. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    6. Equipment and supplies    7. Espionage    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. United States    12. Communications engineering / telecommunications    13. Electronics engineering    14. True Crime / Espionage   

Reviews (1)

A first-rate, highly recommended book
Freeware Encryption And Security Programs: Protecting Your Computer And Your Privacy by Michael Chesbro (senior counterintelligence agent with the U.S. Department of Defense) is an invaluable and "user friendly" guide to several of the most popular and widespread freeware encryption and security programs. Freeware Encryption And Security Programs teaches the reader how to use these programs to encrypt private files, work files, email and more. No programming expertise is necessary; only the desire to put in a little extra effort to confound prying eyes overly inquisitive noses. A first-rate, highly recommended book for anyone fed up with the lack of security on the internet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Integrated Systems    2. Computer security    3. Computers    4. Computers - Computer Security    5. Data encryption (Computer scie    6. Data encryption (Computer science)    7. Espionage    8. Security - General    9. Data security & data encryption    10. True Crime / Espionage   

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. History    4. History: American    5. Intelligence    6. Miscellanea    7. Spies    8. True Crime / Espionage    9. Espionage & secret services    10. Humour    11. Political Science / Political Freedom & Security / Intelligence    12. USA   

Reviews (6)

Even More Relevant Today
John J. Nutter's The CIA's Black Ops traces the history of the use of covert operations by Cold War-era policymakers as a "third option," used in situations in which neither diplomacy nor overt military action were deemed desirable.A political scientist and not a historian, the author argues that covert operations were unavoidable (and, at times, necessary) during the Cold War and still are in the 21st century, and that policymakers' accountability is equally unavoidable.
Not a History Book; More an Overview of US Black Ops Policy
...which made it tiresome and a bit frustrating to read. I was hoping/expecting more details on the nature of the operations themselves. I agree with the author that the use of black ops is a clear policy of the US, and there are far-reaching effects as a result. But that is more of the "why". If you want more of the "how", read elsewhere. Factual Fear
Nutter has done his homework in throughly researching this work. Unlike many in the political world, he has no axe to grind, and no need to pump himself up. He delivers a solidly written, must-read book. Given what has happened since September 11, 2001, you are doing yourself a great disservice if you don't read this book. The CIA has had issues for quite some time as Nutter points out. The events of 9-1-1 just make the background that he presents all the more significant to the International Relations student. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central Intelligence Agency    2. Espionage    3. Foreign relations    4. General    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    11. United States    12. United States.    13. Political structure & processes    14. USA   

Reviews (1)

People Who Been There, Done That.
It's only when the books come out that you can begin to understand what's been happening in our Government. And this is an excellent example. Here a knowledgeable insider writes a biography of the ultimate insider. The author Clarence Ashley was an analyst for the CIA working on Soviet strategic missile capabilities and preparing national intelligence estimates.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Espionage    4. Espionage, American    5. Espionage, Soviet    6. History    7. History: American    8. Intelligence officers    9. Kisevalter, George G.,    10. Military    11. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    12. United States    13. United States - General    14. d. 1997    15. Espionage & secret services    16. USA    17. World history: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (3)

It was very good, but is not current
This one was a great reference up to 10 September 2001.Then everything changed and much of what is in this book is out of date.To be fair though, there is stll considerable value here, but that value puts it into the 'buy a used one' category (but hey, that slightly dog-eared, somewhat out of date, reference work on the shelf behind your desk gives you that 'old hand' 'been there, done that' credibility, so this isn't all bad.)
A Great Reference
I met Richelson years ago and was amazed at his comprehensive knowledge of the intelligence community. For anyone who needs a reference guide to the organizational structure as well as the operations of the intelligence community, this is the book.

Excellent reference of the US Intelligence community.
Richelson does an excellent job of providing a link and detail to all of the U.S. intelligence successes and failures over the last 35 years.This is a superb reference book for the young and old intelligence officer in aJoint or Interagency environment that needs to know how the intelligencesystemin the United States works.Richelson does not write in theory. All of this book is practical, useful and hard-hitting.It will give youexcellent depth and insight into those often heard but little knownintelligence successes and debacles.From the USS Pueblo to the origin andcurrent status of satellite intelligence, this book covers it all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. Intelligence service    4. Politics - Current Events    5. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    6. United States   

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. Politics - Current Events   

Reviews (3)

Interesting, but poorly researched
I had some personal experience with pips and the huge [...] that it was, but I find the author's research faulty to say the least. It sounds more like hearsay and conjecture than investigative writing. The writing style is difficult to read as well... not a great book, not even a good one.

Lots of assumptions
I find it interesting that a book was written based on forum posts. No evidence that the company in question is guilty of anything has been presented. I will wait for the investigation to be over before i pass judgement.
Too good to be true?
Mr. Platt gives us an excellent behind the scenes view of what a lot of Internet "too good to be true" scams are doing to millions on the Internet.His description of Mr. Marsden's Pure Investor is a great example of this global problem.
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Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. True Crime    4. True Crime / Espionage   

Reviews (7)

60's Spy Show Expose
If you were born in the 1950's this book is for you! All the great shows are here (U.N.C.L.E., Wild, Wild West, Mission Impossible, etc) The book is nicely illustrated and features the author's incredible collection of props from many different shows. Much of the author's prose illustrates his considerable knowledge and love of the subject.I wonder if the former Soviet Union has books like this one? It is my theory that the Soviet Blok collapsed because it simply wasn't very fun. This book is fun. Buy it, or you will be shot with a sleep dart (while you are sleeping, of course, so you will never know that you have been shot with a sleep dart)

UNIQUE PRIVATE COLLECTION PUBLICIZED
Danny Biederman is the actual author--the forward was by Robert W. Wallace.Biederman's collection of fictional spy artifacts is interesting to both movie buffs and to those involved in real-world espionage.I hadn't heard of most of the movies in "the Incredible World of Spy Fi," so I'll be looking them up on DVD.The spy gadgets and props are almost as important as the actor--the gimmicks are characters, too!Who can forget John Steed's steel-lined bowler, Maxwell Smart's shoe phone, the U.N.C.L.E. Special, James Bond's PPK and tricked-out sports cars, or Jim Phelp's self-destructing tape recorders? I enjoyed reading this book and it will be a valuable reference in my personal library.

CAN'T PUT IT DOWN, AND I'M A GIRL!
Christmas present, birthday present, valentine's present, no-special-occasion present: this book makes me HAPPY!I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with it.It brought back floods of ecstatic memories -- and of course, I had to read it while drinking a shaken/not/stirred martini!BRAVO! MORE BOOKS from Mr. Biederman's archives -- and WOW, can hewrite!Wry, witty, charming, impeccably researched -- 10 STARS! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. History and criticism    4. Miscellanea    5. Photography    6. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    7. Spy films    8. Spy television programs    9. Television - General    10. True Crime    11. United States    12. Films, cinema    13. Photography / General   

Reviews (1)

The Ultimate Graduate/Policy Text on Intelligence
This is the textbook for the best and the brightest of both the academic world and the policy world.It is not an easy read, between the British language form and the deep thinking, but it is, as Christopher Andrew says, "the best overview" and "surely destined to become a standard work".I especially liked its attention to components and boundaries, effects, accuracy, and evaluation.Perhaps most usefully within the book is the distinction between long-term intelligence endeavors that rely primarily on open sources and serve to improve state understanding and state behavior, and short-term espionage that tends to be intrusive and heighten the target state's feelings of vulnerability and hostility.No intelligence library is complete without this book--it provides a rock-solid foundation for serious thinking about the intelligence in the 21st Century. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. History - General History    4. International Relations - General    5. Political Science    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Espionage & secret services    8. Intelligence service    9. Political Science / International Relations   

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. Fiction    3. General    4. Historical - General    5. History - General History    6. Middle East - General    7. Middle East - Israel    8. Movie-TV Tie-In - General    9. Spanish: Adult Fiction   

Reviews (1)

Best in class textbook for intelligence
I continue to regard this book as one of the best available textbooks for inspiring informed student and entry-level employee discussion about the intelligence professional and its role in supporting policy-making.Theauthor's conclusion, and the "eleven points" he makes regardingthe current status and future of intelligence, continue to be an essentialcontribution to the great debate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. History - General History    4. Intelligence service    5. Espionage & secret services    6. USA   

Subjects:  1. Central Intelligence Agency    2. China    3. Espionage    4. Espionage, American    5. International Relations - General    6. Political Process - Leadership    7. Political Science    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Relations    10. Subversive activities    11. Tibet    12. Tibet (China)    13. True Crime / Espionage    14. U.S. - China Relations    15. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    16. United States    17. United States.    18. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    19. Espionage & secret services    20. Irregular or guerrilla forces & warfare    21. Political activism    22. USA   

Editorial Review

David Wise has written three spy novels and a number of nonfiction books about U.S. intelligence and espionage, and in Read more

Reviews (14)

InterestingStory At Several Levels
Wise wrote an interesting account covering many years.The factual components of the story appear well researched.However, the author wanders off into speculation that the materials supplied by double agent Cassidy actually caused the USSR to develop more deadly nerve gas. Given the now disclosed facts that the USSR had a massive chemical and biological research and production effort, it is unlikely that any of the well scrubbed stuff given to the USSR had any real impact.
Informative, interesting and accurate
This book is very informative and it is accurate as far as I know.It is interesting because it tells a real story, an important story that had wider repercussions than most people probably realize.
Uncle Joe
An awesome book about my Uncle Joe.Most of the family didn't know for years what he endured.This book is a great tribute to our family history.Our family is very proud.I doubt this review will help you much in deciding whether or not to buy the book, but several of my friends have read it and had a hard time putting it down until finished. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. History    4. History: World    5. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    6. Politics / Current Events    7. United States - 20th Century (1945 to 2000)    8. History / General   

Editorial Review

Johnson, a former assistant to Defense Secretary Les Aspin and now a university professor, defends the U.S. intelligence networks from the charges of ineptitude that have followed embarrassments like the Aldrich Ames case and the rout of the CIA-backed Kurds in Iraq. He argues that the successes of the CIA and the intelligence community far outweigh such setbacks, and that even the failures are often laid at the wrong door: good intelligence has often been ignored by the upper (political) levels of the bureaucracy. He cites the analysis of Gorbachev's perestroika as an example, detailing the fight by the agency's Soviet experts to get the Director to accept that a significant change was underway. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Understanding Intelligence
Even though this book was published over six years ago, the insights it provides for today are invaluable. Through it's detailed history of the changes in fashion and mission in the United States' intelligence agencies, we begin to understand why the human intelligence assets were not in place to predict September 11, why we are often surprised by events in North Korea, and the challenges faced in creating the Department of Homeland Security. Johnson gives an even-handed, largely non-political view of these issues. It is refreshing to read an account written by someone with no apparent axe to grind.

Most informative book on intelligence this quarter century
Copious insights into the secret world of spies written by the masterexpert on world intelligence.

Objective discussion of successes and failures
Loch is the dean of the scholars competent to address intelligence matters, and his experience as a member of the professional staff of both the Church Committee in the 1970's and the Aspin/Brown Commission in the1990's uniquely qualify him to discuss and evaluate U.S. intelligence.Hischapters on the ethics of covert operations and on intelligenceaccountability set a standard for this aspect of the discussion.This isthe only book I have seen that objectively and methodically discussesintelligence success and failures in relation to the Soviet Union, with asuperb three-page listing decade by decade being provided on pages 180-182. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. History: American    3. Intelligence Operations    4. Intelligence service    5. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    6. True Crime / Espionage    7. United States    8. Espionage & secret services    9. Military intelligence    10. USA   

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. General    3. History    4. Intelligence service    5. Politics - Current Events    6. Sociology    7. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    8. United States    9. Political structure & processes    10. USA   

Subjects:  1. Directories    2. Emergency communication system    3. Emergency communication systems    4. Radio    5. Radio stations    6. Reference - Tips    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Telecommunications    10. Travel - United States    11. United States    12. United States - General    13. Radio technology    14. True Crime / Espionage    15. USA