Sale!

The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton

Name: The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton
Brand: St. Martin’s Press
SKU: 126365
Availability: InStock

Disclosure

Explore the enigmatic world of CIA spymaster James Jesus Angleton in The Ghost, a gripping biography that reveals the secrets, strategies, and shadowy operations behind Cold War intelligence. This captivating book offers unparalleled insight into espionage history and the complexities of covert leadership.

Category: Books

Tags: CIA biography, Cold War espionage, espionage book, intelligence history, James Jesus Angleton, secret service biography, spy memoir

Brands: St. Martin’s Press

“The best book ever written about the strangest CIA chief who ever lived.” – Tim Weiner, National Book Award-winning author of Legacy of Ashes

A revelatory new biography of the sinister, powerful, and paranoid man at the heart of the CIA for more than three tumultuous decades.

CIA spymaster James Jesus Angleton was one of the most powerful unelected officials in the United States government in the mid-20th century, a ghost of American power. From World War II to the Cold War, Angleton operated beyond the view of the public, Congress, and even the president. He unwittingly shared intelligence secrets with Soviet spy Kim Philby, a member of the notorious Cambridge spy ring. He launched mass surveillance by opening the mail of hundreds of thousands of Americans. He abetted a scheme to aid Israel’s own nuclear efforts, disregarding U.S. security. He committed perjury and obstructed the JFK assassination investigation. He oversaw a massive spying operation on the antiwar and black nationalist movements and he initiated an obsessive search for communist moles that nearly destroyed the Agency.

In The Ghost, investigative reporter Jefferson Morley tells Angleton’s dramatic story, from his friendship with the poet Ezra Pound through the underground gay milieu of mid-century Washington to the Kennedy assassination to the Watergate scandal. From the agency’s MKULTRA mind-control experiments to the wars of the Mideast, Angleton wielded far more power than anyone knew. Yet during his seemingly lawless reign in the CIA, he also proved himself to be a formidable adversary to our nation’s enemies, acquiring a mythic stature within the CIA that continues to this day.

The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton offers a captivating exploration into the shadowy world of espionage through the extraordinary life of one of the most enigmatic figures in CIA history. This meticulously researched biography delves deep into the complexities and contradictions of James Jesus Angleton, whose unparalleled career shaped the landscape of American intelligence during the Cold War. Readers are invited to uncover the intricate operations, psychological battles, and clandestine maneuvers that defined Angleton’s tenure as the CIA’s chief of counterintelligence. Through compelling narrative and rich detail, this book provides an insightful look at how Angleton’s relentless pursuit of double agents and his profound paranoia influenced global intelligence strategies. It not only reveals the inner workings of the CIA but also offers an intimate portrait of a man whose secretive life blurred the boundaries between loyalty and suspicion. Ideal for history enthusiasts, intelligence professionals, and anyone fascinated by the covert world of espionage, this biography enriches the reader’s understanding of the delicate balance between national security and secrecy. The Ghost seamlessly blends historical context with personal anecdotes, making it an engaging addition to any bookshelf. Whether used for academic study, professional reference, or personal interest, this book enhances the reader’s appreciation of intelligence operations and the human complexities behind them. It stands as a unique testament to the secretive figures who have shaped modern history from behind the scenes, providing a gripping and thought-provoking experience that resonates beyond the pages.