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Tim Weiner

Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA

"Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA" by Tim Weiner is a comprehensive and authoritative account of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) history, from its inception after World War II to the present day. Drawing on unprecedented access to CIA records, as well as interviews with current and former officials, Weiner provides a detailed and often critical examination of the agency's operations and its impact on American foreign policy. The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on a different era of the CIA's history. The first part covers the agency's early years, when it was tasked with gathering intelligence on the Soviet Union and its allies. Weiner describes how the CIA's initial successes in this area were soon overshadowed by its failures, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the CIA's involvement in the overthrow of Iran's democratically elected government in 1953. The second part of the book examines the CIA's role in the Vietnam War, which Weiner argues was a turning point for the agency. He describes how the CIA's intelligence on the war was often flawed, and how the agency's covert operations in Southeast Asia contributed to the escalation of the conflict. The third part of the book covers the CIA's activities during the Cold War, including its involvement in the Contra war in Nicaragua and its efforts to combat Soviet influence in Afghanistan. Weiner argues that the CIA's actions during this period often undermined American foreign policy and contributed to the erosion of democratic institutions around the world. The final part of the book examines the CIA's post-Cold War activities, including its role in the War on Terror. Weiner argues that the CIA's focus on counterterrorism has come at the expense of its traditional role in gathering and analyzing intelligence, and that the agency's actions since 9/11 have often been counterproductive. Overall, "Legacy of Ashes" is a meticulously researched and thought-provoking book that challenges many of the myths surrounding the CIA. While Weiner is critical of the agency's actions, he also acknowledges its successes and the difficult challenges it has faced. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in American foreign policy, intelligence, and the history of the Cold War...