At the Center of the Storm: The CIA During America's Time of Crisis [Paperback]

George Tenet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 22, 2008

At the Center of the Storm is a revealing look at the inner workings of the most important intelligence organization in the world during the most challenging times in recent history. Based on his unparalleled access to both the highest echelons of government and raw intelligence from the field, former CIA Director George Tenet's candid and gripping memoir disentangles the interlocking events that led to 9/11 and offers eye-opening new information on the deliberations and strategies that culminated in the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Through it all, Tenet paints an unflinching self-portrait of a man caught between the warring forces of the administration's decision-making process and his own conscience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Tenet’s new book...is delicious and edifying.” (Associated Press )

“Compelling.” (San Francisco Chronicle )

“….very readable…” (Los Angeles Times )

“The drums have been sounding for the long-awaited book by former CIA director George Tenet.” (Washington Post )

“…fascinating …” (New York Times )

About the Author

George Tenet was the Director of Central Intelligence from 1997 to 2004. He holds a BSFS from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and an MIA from the School of International Affairs at Columbia University. He was appointed to the faculty of Georgetown University in 2004 and lives outside Washington, D.C., with his wife, author Stephanie Glakas-Tenet, and their son.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (April 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061147796
• ISBN-13: 978-0061147791
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting Behind-the-Scenes of CIA During Turbulent Times, June 12, 2010

By 

zorba (Bala Cynwyd, Pa USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: At the Center of the Storm: The CIA During America's Time of Crisis (Paperback)

This book describes what may have been the CIA's biggest victory and worst defeat, all during the reign of Director George Tenant. But in both instances the book seems to be honest and candid, with the author even willing to be held accountable for his role. The biggest victory was the war in Afghanistan immediately following 9/11, when the CIA almost single-handedly defeated the Taliban and set in motion the War on Terror. The defeat was the Iraq War, when the agency was blamed for faulty intelligence. Tenet describes how in Afghanistan, the CIA was secretly preparing for the War on Terror well in advance of 9/11 and when the fit hit the shan, they simply -- and effectively -- implemented that plan, to strong success. But in Iraq, despite a conviction that there was not enough intelligence to justify a war, the CIA nevertheless got blamed -- unfairly -- as being the source of terrible intelligence. Tenet is critical of what he deems a foregone conclusion by Bush security advisors to invade Iraq. He claims they wanted war, and they wanted the CIA to skew the intelligence to make it fit their strategy. This review is an overly simplistic account of the book. There is so much data here, very surprising for a book about the CIA. Tenet seems like a very able director of central intelligence and while he is polite through most of the book, he rips into his adversaries -- foreign and domestic -- toward the end. I found this to be a fascinating, candid and authoritative book about the modern CIA. It gives one a clearer perspective on some of the major events of our time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars informative, December 12, 2008

By 

Reilly fan "Arlene" (Oshkosh, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Center of the Storm: The CIA During America's Time of Crisis (Paperback)

A book that everyone should read. Gives a good account of what led up to 9/11 and beyond.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars CYA At Its Finest, March 23, 2011

By 

David W. Southworth (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Center of the Storm: The CIA During America's Time of Crisis (Paperback)

This book by the former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency George Tenet, DCI from 1998-2004, chronicles Tenet's involvement in some of the most tumultuous events of the last twenty years.

He was in charge of the intelligence community in name, if not necessarily in fact, on 9/11. Blame for that attack can rest with no single individual, except Usama bin Laden. The best parts of Tenet's book cover the difficult to imagine aftermath of the response and the response. Though Tenet naturally tries to emphasize his role in effecting the response on the ground, the more likely role, and the one he discusses in some detail, are the series of meetings and briefings around Washington for the president and other senior advisers that are more interesting for their insight into the mindset of those making decisions.

The most interesting and newsworthy section of the book is about the run up to the Iraq War and its aftermath. Here, Tenet tries to deflect criticism from him by taking some blame for the results of the invasion. However, the meat of this section seems like little else than a series of buck-passing and deflection of responsibilities on others. He of course blames Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld. He settles a couple of personal scores, most notably with former weapons inspector David Kay. Remarkably, he chalks up the controversy around his infamous "slam dunk" comment as a lapse in memory (he doesn't recall making it) but says it was likely just bravado.

Tenet's book will be interesting for future researchers and those interested in a few of the finer details of conversations and decision making immediately after 9/11. However, Tenet shows himself to be largely as concerned with his historic reputation and looks smaller and weaker for his effort.