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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “My last book of 2007 was Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA , one of the CIA books recommended in the comments of my post History of the CIA. I read it on my Kindle, which I love. |
Didn’t Like It “dry and repetitive. details on the complete incompetence of the CIA.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“sure wish we'd know all the crap WHEN it happened.”
Chuck E wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I've read this book in the Dutch edition, which put me through a lot of irritation. Over the course of these 555 pages, I estimate a minimum of 150 to 200 errors; in typos, incorrect translations and a load of clumsiness in phrasebuilding (so that references within the same phrases were not clear). The original would certainly have pleased me a lot more.
Arjen vdr Hoeven wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It is kind of a big deal to get names and dates correctly, when concerning historic facts.
I've given four stars, because I think the original edition would probably deserve those imho. The Dutch edition hardly gets to three stars.”
“Some of the acts committed by individuals in the CIA are disturbing. Unchecked power is never a good thing.
Jason A wrote this review Tuesday, November 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“This is a superb book. Very well written and researched, with a surprising amount of first hand quotations throughout the whole book. You won't regret it!”
M. Hani wrote this review Thursday, October 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“dry and repetitive. details on the complete incompetence of the CIA.”
Joel L wrote this review Tuesday, July 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Legacy of Ashes is quite shocking. Through movies and books, we are presented with an image of the CIA that it is amazing and knows all. The truth of it would appear to be the opposite, that it consitently makes errors and knows very little. As I listened to the Audiobook rather than read the print edition I am unable to give precise examples from the text, but off of the top of my head, several things that I found astonishing were:
Gavin wrote this review Sunday, January 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
* The sheer number of double agents from the USSR, Cuba, China etc who managed to work for the CIA
* The CIA lying outright to the President on a number of occasions
* Despite having far greater resources, not really having a clue about anything that the USSR was doing throughout its existence
* Kissinger's involvement in installing dictators like Pinochet
* Pretty much anything to do with the Middle East being incorrect
* Blowing up the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade
There are plenty more stories in the book. In fact, it seems that the CIA never really got much right and competed against other US agencies rather than work toward the greater good (perhaps they need to read Egonomics).
Despite having an exhausting amount of information to cover, Weiner breaks each of the 40+ chapters into manageable chunks, each containing a different story with enough background data to make it feel like you are getting the inside story but not too much so that you are sapped down by it all. Quite frankly, this is an excellent book and should be read by anyone with an interest in the events of the second half of the 20th Century. It helps to dispel the myth that America is a gentle, noble country that acts out of a greater good and shows that even with the most resources, you are not always guaranteed to win against rivals with lesser. It also shows the benefit of forward planning, as arguably some recent events in the world would have been prevented had the CIA taken the time to consider long-reaching implications. Let's just hope that the message has finally gotten through.”
“It may have been my approach to the box rather than the book itself but I found it very biased.
Chris D wrote this review Friday, January 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I was looking for an unbiased history of the CIA rather than a proof text of why it is failure of an organization.”
“Overall, an excellent book! Written in a clear journalistic style, easily accessible for the average reader. Reviews the content periodically throughout the book, retains your attention and reminds you of key events. Weiner only cites on the record sources, so the factual evidence is documented and allows primary sources to tell the story. He subtly makes political references and argues through the use of quotations and documentation. Weiner takes the thesis and constantly weaves it into the CIA's history and does it masterfully.
Jeremy R wrote this review Thursday, December 4 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
If you read only one section from the book, make sure to read the 9/11 and Iraq War sections. It will challenge the liberal and conservative positions on the record. A must read!”
“Interesting reading but a very one-sided view of the history and workings of the CIA. It reads like The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight. I hope I'm not being too naive in saying that if this organization were really as inept as it is painted in this book it could not have survived as long as it has in any form.
Jim M wrote this review Friday, November 21 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I am adding George Tenet's book to my list just to get anothe perspective on things.”
“Great book. Very interesting and eye opening. Well written. Highly recommend if you are interested in reading up on the CIA. Every citizen of the US should understand the history of this organization and how it continues to be use by the President.”
Todd A wrote this review Sunday, November 16 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
