Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA

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Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA offers an in-depth, meticulously researched account of the CIA’s operations and impact. This authoritative book reveals the agency’s successes and failures, providing readers with a compelling insight into intelligence history and its influence on global affairs.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • With shocking revelations that made headlines all across the country, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Tim Weiner gets at the truth behind the CIA and uncovers why nearly every CIA director has left the agency in worse shape than he found it, and how these profound failures jeopardize our national security.

“For anyone interested in the CIA or American intelligence since World War II.” —The Washington Post

A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century • The precursor to the New York Times bestseller The Mission

For years, the CIA has managed to maintain a formidable reputation in spite of its terrible record, burying its blunders in top-secret archives. Its mission was to know the world. When it did not succeed, it set out to change the world. Its failures have handed us, in the words of President Eisenhower, “a legacy of ashes.”

Now Pulitzer Prize–winning author Tim Weiner offers a definitive history of the CIA—and everything is on the record. LEGACY OF ASHES is based on more than 50,000 documents, primarily from the archives of the CIA itself, and hundreds of interviews with CIA veterans, including ten Directors of Central Intelligence. It takes the CIA from its creation after World War II, through its battles in the cold war and the war on terror, to its near-collapse after 9/ll.

Here is the hidden history of the CIA: why eleven presidents and three generations of CIA officers have been unable to understand the world; why nearly every CIA director has left the agency in worse shape than he found it; and how these failures have profoundly jeopardized our national security.

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Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA offers an authoritative and comprehensive exploration of one of the most secretive and influential organizations in modern history. Written with meticulous research and backed by a wealth of declassified documents, this book provides readers with an in-depth understanding of the Central Intelligence Agency’s complex role in global affairs. From its origins in the aftermath of World War II to its involvement in pivotal Cold War events and beyond, the narrative reveals the challenges, controversies, and triumphs that have shaped the CIA’s legacy. This compelling volume is an essential addition to any bookshelf for those interested in history, politics, intelligence, or international relations. It goes beyond mere recounting of events to offer critical insights into the agency’s successes and failures, painting a nuanced picture of the intelligence community’s impact on U.S. foreign policy. The clear, professional tone makes it accessible to both casual readers and specialists seeking a detailed chronicle of the CIA’s evolution. Legacy of Ashes enhances everyday life by deepening your understanding of the forces behind global decision-making and intelligence operations. Whether used for academic study, professional reference, or personal enrichment, this book provides a valuable perspective on the delicate balance of power, secrecy, and strategy in modern governance. Its unique blend of rigorous scholarship and engaging storytelling ensures an informative and thought-provoking reading experience that resonates long after the last page is turned.