
The Ghosts of Langley
Into the Heart of the CIA
John Prados(Author)
Amberley Publishing
Published on 15. January 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
480 pages
978-1-3981-0328-3 (ISBN)
Description
The Ghosts of Langley is the story of spymasters, their minions, and the ways in which the Central Intelligence Agency changed the world. These were determined men and women who believed in their mission, followed White House orders - and sometimes circumvented them. It is also the story of some brave reformers who attempted to change the CIA's culture but were swept under the rug, or worse, converted to the dark side.
The Ghosts of Langley uses profiles of key figures in CIA history as a lens through which to examine the history of American intelligence and the ways that actions undertaken by the CIA agents helped create the situation the nation now faces, taking into account not only covert operations, but intelligence analysis, technological discoveries and more. John Prados reaches into areas that have never before been explored in books on the agency, including how its lawyers helped define the parameters of accountability for intelligence gathering and the ways in which covert operations are conducted and revealed. Along the way, he reveals the existence of US intelligence beyond White House control.
The Ghosts of Langley uses profiles of key figures in CIA history as a lens through which to examine the history of American intelligence and the ways that actions undertaken by the CIA agents helped create the situation the nation now faces, taking into account not only covert operations, but intelligence analysis, technological discoveries and more. John Prados reaches into areas that have never before been explored in books on the agency, including how its lawyers helped define the parameters of accountability for intelligence gathering and the ways in which covert operations are conducted and revealed. Along the way, he reveals the existence of US intelligence beyond White House control.
Reviews / Votes
'A riveting highlight reel of the CIA's greatest hits - and misses' -- TIM WEINER, author of LEGACY OF ASHES 'Every CIA officer should read John Prados' -- KAI BIRD, author of THE GOOD SPY 'A detail-rich, often relentless litany of CIA scandals and mini-scandals' -- THE WASHINGTON POSTMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chalford
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 157 mm
Width: 236 mm
Thickness: 43 mm
Weight
734 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3981-0328-3 (9781398103283)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
John Prados is a senior research fellow on national security affairs, including foreign affairs, intelligence, and military history, at the National Security Archive. He is an award-winning author of 22 books, most recently THE FAMILY JEWELS: The CIA, Secrecy, and Presidential Power and ISLANDS OF DESTINY: The Solomons Campaign and the Eclipse of the Rising Sun. In addition to three Pulitzer Prize nominations, Prados is the recipient of the Henry Adams Prize in American History and the notable book award from the United States Naval Institute. He holds a PhD in International Relations from Colombia University and is a contributing editor to MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History.