The CIA at War

A "colorful and fascinating" history of the CIA and its clandestine activities overseas from the Cold War to 9/11 and the War on Terror (The Washington Post Book World).

Investigative reporter Ronald Kessler draws on his unprecedented access to CIA insiders to tell the full story of the agency and its spymasters. Kessler interviewed numerous current and retired CIA officers, including George Tenet and other top officials. He recounts the story of how Tenet transformed the CIA from a pathetic, risk averse outfit to one that has rounded up thousands of terrorists since 9/11.

The CIA at War discloses highly sensitive information about its unorthodox methods, its stunning successes, and its shocking failures. The book explores whether the CIA can be trusted, whether its intelligence is politicized, and whether it is capable of winning the war on terror. In doing so, the book weaves in the history of the CIA and how it really works.


From the CIA's intelligence failure of 9/11 to its critical role in preventing further attacks, The CIA at War tells a riveting, unique story about a secretive, powerful agency and its confrontation with global terrorism.