Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tim Weiner delivers a compelling and detailed account of the Central Intelligence Agency's history, revealing the stark contrast between its ambitious mission and its often troubled execution. Based on exhaustive research, including over 50,000 documents, primarily from the CIA's archives, and hundreds of interviews with CIA veterans, including ten Directors of Central Intelligence, this book presents an unparalleled examination of the agency from its inception after World War II to its critical challenges in the post-9/11 world.
"Legacy of Ashes" not only chronicles the CIA's evolution through the Cold War and the war on terror but also scrutinizes its operational and intelligence failures, which have significantly impacted American national security. Tim Weiner's rigorous narrative uncovers why eleven presidents and three generations of CIA officers have struggled to understand the world and why nearly every CIA director has left the agency in a worse state than they found it.
Weiner's work, praised for its "impressively reported" and "immensely entertaining" approach by The New York Times and hailed as "truly extraordinary" by The Wall Street Journal, offers an unflinching look at the agency's attempts to repair and overhaul itself after numerous setbacks, including its lack of preparedness for 9/11. The book delves into the challenges of espionage, the complexities of international intelligence gathering, and the internal struggles within the CIA to adapt to changing global dynamics.
Through a chronological history enriched by keeping characters in context, Weiner aids readers in understanding the agency's operational ethos, its penchant for secrecy, and the ethical dilemmas posed by its covert actions. The narrative also celebrates the patriotism and sacrifices of CIA agents while critically assessing the agency's impact on international relations and its role in American democracy.
"Legacy of Ashes" is not just a critique but a reflection on the CIA's potential for reform, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and a reevaluation of its mission and methods in an era of non-state threats and complex global challenges. It presents a crucial perspective on the balance between security and democratic values, making it an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of American intelligence and its implications for the future.
As a seminal work on the history of the CIA, "Legacy of Ashes" stands as a testament to the need for a more informed and critical appraisal of intelligence activities. It is a masterful narrative that demands a rethinking of the principles and practices of espionage to ensure they serve the public interest and national security without compromising the democratic ideals America stands for.
