The CIA

In The CIA, intelligence historian Hugh Wilford presents a comprehensive exploration of the Agency's evolution following World War II, as America solidified its status as a global power. Drawing on extensive research, Wilford reveals how the CIA's mission expanded beyond foreign intelligence analysis to include covert operations that supported pro-American regimes and suppressed dissent. He situates the Agency within the broader context of Western imperial history, illustrating how its activities have been influenced by previous empires and the enduring legacies of colonialism. This gripping account sheds light on America's embrace of secrecy and unaccountable power both abroad and domestically.