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The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the Cia, and the Rise of America's Secret

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Item specifics

Condition
Good: A book that has been read, but is in good condition. Minimal damage to the book cover eg. ...
Publication Date
2015-10-13
Pages
704
ISBN
9780062276162
Category

About this product

Product Identifiers

Publisher
HarperCollins
ISBN-10
0062276166
ISBN-13
9780062276162
eBay Product ID (ePID)
208705853

Product Key Features

Book Title
Devil's Chessboard : Allen Dulles, the Cia, and the Rise of America's Secret Government
Number of Pages
704 Pages
Language
English
Publication Year
2015
Topic
United States / 20th Century, Intelligence & Espionage
Illustrator
Yes
Genre
Political Science, History
Author
David Talbot
Format
Hardcover

Dimensions

Item Height
1.7 in
Item Weight
38.5 Oz
Item Length
9 in
Item Width
6 in

Additional Product Features

Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2015-487367
TitleLeading
The
Dewey Edition
23
Reviews
This year's best spy thriller isn't fiction - it's history…. By the time 'The Devil's Chessboard' eventually climaxes with the events that unfolded in Dallas in 1963, Talbot's argument that Dulles had both the power and temperament to execute such a plot is more than believable., A fearless, passionate, angry book…. The story of how the Kennedy brothers tried to change the world., A damning biography-of the CIA's longest standing director-and an expos of American politics…. One would be hard pressed to find a book that is better at evoking the strange and apocalyptic atmospherics of the early Cold War years in America.... Neither le Carr nor Graham Greene could do any better., A damning biography-of the CIA's longest standing director-and an exposé of American politics…. One would be hard pressed to find a book that is better at evoking the strange and apocalyptic atmospherics of the early Cold War years in America.... Neither le Carré nor Graham Greene could do any better., David Talbot's riveting account of the Kennedy Administration is heavy drama…. Brilliant journalism., A frightening biography of power, manipulation, and outright treason…The story of Allen Dulles and the power elite that ran Washington, D.C., following World War II is the stuff of spy fiction…All engaged American citizens should read this book and have their eyes opened., A chilling psychological depiction.... The vast surveillance system so dramatically revealed to the world by Edward Snowden could never have come to pass without the culture of fanatical secrecy and habitual lawlessness handed down by Dulles and his loyal agents., "A Cold War villain of realpolitik whose successes and blunders were unrivaled. As framed by Talbot, Dulles's extra-legal interventions, coups, slush funds, and ex-Nazi collaborations were as much pro-corporate as anti-Communist, more Cheneyish than Nixonian.... He'd fit right into our globalized, subcontracted, and hypersurveilled era." -- New York Magazine "Dulles is unmasked as the backstage manipulator of US policy (foreign and domestic) from the Cold War up to his skillful defense of the highly suspect Warren Commission report. Those who scoff at conspiracy theories might have a change of mind after reading this book." -- Boston Globe , Pick of the Week "A frightening biography of power, manipulation, and outright treason...The story of Allen Dulles and the power elite that ran Washington, D.C., following World War II is the stuff of spy fiction...All engaged American citizens should read this book and have their eyes opened." -- Kirkus , starred review "A damning biography--of the CIA's longest standing director--and an exposé of American politics.... One would be hard pressed to find a book that is better at evoking the strange and apocalyptic atmospherics of the early Cold War years in America.... Neither le Carré nor Graham Greene could do any better." -- Daily Beast "Offers a portrait of a black-and-white Cold War-era world full of spy games and nuclear brinkmanship." -- Mother Jones "This year's best spy thriller isn't fiction -- it's history.... By the time 'The Devil's Chessboard' eventually climaxes with the events that unfolded in Dallas in 1963, Talbot's argument that Dulles had both the power and temperament to execute such a plot is more than believable." -- Salon "A chilling psychological depiction.... The vast surveillance system so dramatically revealed to the world by Edward Snowden could never have come to pass without the culture of fanatical secrecy and habitual lawlessness handed down by Dulles and his loyal agents." -- Justyn Dillingham, Bookslut.com "This aptly titled book portrays Allen Dulles as the dark prince of the Cold War who manipulated the media, deceived presidents, helped stir up coups... [and might] have been involved in Kennedy's assassination. Readers who enjoy espionage's dark history will have a tough time putting this book down." -- Library Journal "Essential reading, especially for readers with even a passing interest in post-WW2 U.S. foreign policy." -- CounterPunch
Dewey Decimal
327.1273
Synopsis
An explosive, headline-making portrait of Allen Dulles, the man who transformed the CIA into the most powerful--and secretive--colossus in Washington, from the founder of Salon.com and author of the New York Times bestseller Brothers. America's greatest untold story: the United States' rise to world dominance under the guile of Allen Welsh Dulles, the longest-serving director of the CIA. Drawing on revelatory new materials--including newly discovered U.S. government documents, U.S. and European intelligence sources, the personal correspondence and journals of Allen Dulles's wife and mistress, and exclusive interviews with the children of prominent CIA officials--Talbot reveals the underside of one of America's most powerful and influential figures. Dulles's decade as the director of the CIA--which he used to further his public and private agendas--were dark times in American politics. Calling himself "the secretary of state of unfriendly countries," Dulles saw himself as above the elected law, manipulating and subverting American presidents in the pursuit of his personal interests and those of the wealthy elite he counted as his friends and clients--colluding with Nazi-controlled cartels, German war criminals, and Mafiosi in the process. Targeting foreign leaders for assassination and overthrowing nationalist governments not in line with his political aims, Dulles employed those same tactics to further his goals at home, Talbot charges, offering shocking new evidence in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. An expos of American power that is as disturbing as it is timely, The Devil's Chessboard is a provocative and gripping story of the rise of the national security state--and the battle for America's soul., An explosive, headline-making portrait of Allen Dulles, the man who transformed the CIA into the most powerful--and secretive--colossus in Washington, from the founder of Salon.com and author of the New York Times bestseller Brothers. America's greatest untold story: the United States' rise to world dominance under the guile of Allen Welsh Dulles, the longest-serving director of the CIA. Drawing on revelatory new materials--including newly discovered U.S. government documents, U.S. and European intelligence sources, the personal correspondence and journals of Allen Dulles's wife and mistress, and exclusive interviews with the children of prominent CIA officials--Talbot reveals the underside of one of America's most powerful and influential figures. Dulles's decade as the director of the CIA--which he used to further his public and private agendas--were dark times in American politics. Calling himself "the secretary of state of unfriendly countries," Dulles saw himself as above the elected law, manipulating and subverting American presidents in the pursuit of his personal interests and those of the wealthy elite he counted as his friends and clients--colluding with Nazi-controlled cartels, German war criminals, and Mafiosi in the process. Targeting foreign leaders for assassination and overthrowing nationalist governments not in line with his political aims, Dulles employed those same tactics to further his goals at home, Talbot charges, offering shocking new evidence in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. An exposé of American power that is as disturbing as it is timely, The Devil's Chessboard is a provocative and gripping story of the rise of the national security state--and the battle for America's soul., An explosive, headline-making portrait of Allen Dulles, the man who transformed the CIA into the most powerful-and secretive-colossus in Washington, from the founder of Salon.com and author of the New York Times bestseller Brothers. America's greatest untold story: the United States' rise to world dominance under the guile of Allen Welsh Dulles, the longest-serving director of the CIA. Drawing on revelatory new materials-including newly discovered U.S. government documents, U.S. and European intelligence sources, the personal correspondence and journals of Allen Dulles's wife and mistress, and exclusive interviews with the children of prominent CIA officials-Talbot reveals the underside of one of America's most powerful and influential figures. Dulles's decade as the director of the CIA-which he used to further his public and private agendas-were dark times in American politics. Calling himself "the secretary of state of unfriendly countries," Dulles saw himself as above the elected law, manipulating and subverting American presidents in the pursuit of his personal interests and those of the wealthy elite he counted as his friends and clients-colluding with Nazi-controlled cartels, German war criminals, and Mafiosi in the process. Targeting foreign leaders for assassination and overthrowing nationalist governments not in line with his political aims, Dulles employed those same tactics to further his goals at home, Talbot charges, offering shocking new evidence in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. An exposé of American power that is as disturbing as it is timely, The Devil's Chessboard is a provocative and gripping story of the rise of the national security state-and the battle for America's soul.
LC Classification Number
JK468.I6

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  • The Devil’s Chessboard

    The book is almost 600 pages, with much time and effort spent on the Kennedys. But, the author failed to even mention Marilyn Monroe even once. I can assure you, the CIA/FBI had a large file on the her and the Kennedys. David Talbot went after the CIA and Allen Dulles with surgical glove and the Kennedys with white gloves. There was for sure a bias against the CIA and he placed the blame for the Bay of Pigs complete on the Agency. My day was a CIA pilot in the invasion, and I can assure you, the Kennedys should take some of the blame. All in all, a good book. The best part was “The Big Event” which delt with the Kenney Assassination.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: NewSold by: bargainbookstores

  • How the CIA became an uncontrollable power.

    I loved the "scenes" wriiten in to give some drama to history. This book explains and illustrates how the developement of the CIA has protected US business interests both foreign and domestically. It connects the Presidents and focuses on Allen Dulles and his powerful friends as to how they came to dominate US forieign policy. This book exposes the real movers and shakers. This book should be used in college political classes. The CIA invents conflicts around the world for special purposes. Why is it that some countries seem to be unable to form a democracy? Many questions like these are answered. It also gives insight on the killing of JFK.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: NewSold by: barnesandnobleinc

  • Deep State in depth

    This is a 620-page book plus 41 pages of notes ... since I have had it only a few days it is needless to say that I have not finished this book yet. However, so far this is a riveting book that rivals any novel by Brad Thor plus it's all true. It is interesting that this book from 2015 seems so timely today (2024) and I received it the same day that I got 'Chaos' by Tom O'Neill and 'The Reporter Who Knew Too Much' by Mark Shaw. These books uncover the deadly shadow government and the evil CIA. Enlighten yourself and read this as well as the others listed.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-ownedSold by: arnen123

  • Great book

    The condition of the book exceeded the description in the listing. Glad the profits are going to worthy cause. The book is also very interesting. Not too far into it yet for a better review.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-ownedSold by: goodwillakron

  • Evil CIA

    Teaches the truth about US evil, brought to you by Republicans and Democrats. I have travelled a lot, so I already knew the truth. The US only cares about power and money, not people. The CIA are evil killers.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: NewSold by: todayontheweb