Executive Secrets: Covert Action and the Presidency [Paperback]

William J. Daugherty (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 2, 2006

" A HISTORY BOOK CLUB SELECTION With a Foreword by Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Named a 2005 Choice Outstanding Academic Title." --

"[Daugherty] gives a frank and refreshing evaluation of several Chief Executives, their Directors of Central Intelligence, and even some lover in the hierarchy. Anyone interested or involved in the development and execution of foreign policy must know the tools available, of which covert action may be least known and understood. This understanding is also pertinent to a wider audience: the press, the public, and many political appointees in the National Security system. This book should help." -- Air Power History

"A most informative study of covert action.... This well-researched, thoughtful book is a valuable work that will be treasured by scholars and professionals in the field. Highly recommended." -- Choice

"A hard-hitting, balanced and highly successful effort to deal with the issue of presidential responsibility for covert action." -- John Stempel, Patterson School of Diplomacy, University of Kentucky

"Daugherty has done us all a tremendous service by attempting to rescue the Agency from the myths, both well-meaning and malevolent, that shape our understanding of it.... This book ought to dispel some of the fog that obscures our understanding of the C.I.A. and that prompts the gigantic mood swings in our attitude toward intelligence gathering and covert actions." -- Mark Bowden, from the foreword

"There are some interesting and carefully drawn vignettes of covert operations here that demonstrate a skillful blending of declassified documents, investigative reports, and secondary sources. It is these case studies that make this one of those essential works for specialists in intelligence policy." -- Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

"If you are a keen observer of the agency, this one will interest and instruct you." -- Rockland (ME) Courier-Gazette

"Offers a richly textured books that clears up some common misconceptions of the CIA, as well as an insider's perspective on how covert action really works, or fails." -- Savannah (GA) Morning News

"Readers of this timely and occasionally revelatory account may be surprised to learn that President Carter approved a covert action program to attack the internal legitimacy of the Soviet system, and that he repeatedly releid on covert action to achieve his foreign policy aims." -- Zbigniew Brzezinski

""[Daugherty] has done a great service for those wanting to seriously understand the realistic capabilities of the organization. This is not an easy task, for the CIA has been the subject of many books, movies, and certain mindsets in the population."--Foreign Area Officer Journal" --

From the Publisher

Foreword by Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (June 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813191610
• ISBN-13: 978-0813191614
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Rigorous and Sound February 17, 2005

By Simon Mall

Format:Hardcover

Titles like this may smack of conspiracy theory, but very rarely do authors choose their own titles. A marketing team's title should not be confused with the authors' intent. In this case, a slightly flashy title fits the content--intelligence work is often duller and at the same time more exciting than its glamorous reputation.

This point is made clear by the authors of this excellent book, developed by a fine writer and made infinitely credible by an author of unquestioned expertise. Secrets are revealed, of course, but nothing that couldn't be garnered from rigorous research. It is the meticulous attention to detail, delivered in an exciting, provocative tone, that separates this book from the miasma of contenders. The tone is sharp and compelling. The style is filled with facts and support but never burdened by them.

For fans of solid U.S. history and those who want to know the true nature of intelligence work in America, this book is highly recommended.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Should've been interesting. . . September 3, 2008

By A. Rocheleau

Format:Paperback

This book had a lot of promise. Covert action? Very cool. The problem is, it's horribly written. There's an awful lot of sloppy mistakes and repetition. It's loaded with sentence fragments and poor grammer. (Or, "the sentences are fragments and bad, bad written with.") It doesn't interfere with the substance, and maybe I'm being too particular that I couldn't focus on the subject--but I couldn't. It was obnoxious, distracting, and I finally put the book down about three chapters from the end. I'm even a history major--I'll read anything.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor storytelling even poorer scholarship. July 18, 2009

By R. Robinson

Format:Paperback

We learn nothing new in this book (everything in this book is public record) nor do we get an interesting POV from the author. I hoped that at least the author would somehow have more info regarding clandestine operations/covert ops policy using NSC or personal the notes of the president's. But nope, just easily compiled research with weak supposition; makes me think if the publisher was duped by the author that the text would be either a comprehensive text or a critical study. Instead they received about 200 pages of recycled poo.

Abridged literature review: The author wishes to convince the reader and the general public that the CIA acts only when the President orders it to do so; and intelligence work is becoming more and more politicized, which compromises integrity from the DCI, down.