The Encyclopedia of the CIA [Paperback]

W. Thomas Smith Jr. (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The CIA is one of the most mysterious and most controversial government agencies, yet journalist Smith glosses over its more complicated aspects in his A-to-Z guide to the organization, which presents the CIA's history from its inception in 1947 through today's war on terror. Smith, a former Marine Corps infantry leader and paratrooper, rather glorifies the agency and its operatives-e.g., in writing of the CIA's role in the 1953 Iranian coup d'etat, he describes ousted leader Mossadegh as "a nervous man prone to fits of crying" and gives little weight to Mossadegh's assertion that the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, which he wanted to nationalize, "was bleeding Iran dry of its oil." The Iran operation "went off without a hitch," Smith writes triumphantly, offering no clue as to the action's controversial nature. But, while not a fully objective history, this volume can be a handy reference for anyone who needs a reminder as to what the "Halloween Massacre" was or what the various nicknames given to the CIA's predecessor, the OSS ("Oh So Secret," "Oh So Social") were. 45 b&w photos.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-This comprehensive, A-to-Z resource describes in some detail the largest, most important arm of secret defense for the U.S. The almost 550 entries include terms; people; operations; responsibilities; controversies; film, television, and fiction portrayals; and the agency's history from its beginnings to its current role in America's war on terrorism. Entries range in length from a few sentences to two or three pages. The few black-and-white photographs tend to be dark or grainy. Appendixes include a glossary of acronyms, abbreviations, and code names; an organization chart; questions and answers about the CIA; and lists of directors and deputy directors. An extensive bibliography and comprehensive index complete this user-friendly, informative title.-Dana McDougald, Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, GA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816046670
• ISBN-13: 978-0816046676
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,843,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedia of the Central Intelligence Agency, August 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of the CIA (Paperback)

Smith's book is the ultimate resource for those fascinated with history and our countries most conroversial governmental agency - the Central Intelligence Agency .....fascinating and long forgotten tales of intrique - finally there is a source, beautifully organized, with the answers to any questions you may have about the CIA....thanks W. Thomas Smith, Jr. your book is well done.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedia of the Central Intelligence Agency, August 5, 2003

By 

F.D. Meier (Denison, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of the CIA (Paperback)

This is a very good reference book and helpful to those of us who want to understand our CIA and how it works.
I also found it interesting that Julia Child was in the CIA.
This book deserves five stars.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FIVE STAR BOOK, July 14, 2003

By 

Charles Beardsley (Roanoke Rapids, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of the Central Intelligence Agency (Hardcover)

This is one of the best books on the CIA I've read even though its an encyclopdia form with entries. Particularly fascinating are the unknown operations which W. Thos. Smith Jr. has brought to the forefront of history. What makes this book so good is it's objectivity. CIA has its skeletons. But it also has it courageous heroes and patriots most of which we have never heard of.
Smith also does justice to the brave men and women of the OSS of second World War fame.
I highly recommend this to anyone who hopes to have a better understanding of the CIA and its roots. Smith is a journalist from the south, writing articles for USA Today and Wash. Post, proving once again that some of the best American writers continue to come from below Mason-Dixon.