U.S. Intelligence: Evolution and Anatomy Second Edition (The Washington Papers) [Hardcover]

Mark M. Lowenthal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0275944352 | ISBN-13: 978-0275944353 | Edition: 2 Sub

No major twentieth-century power has so short a history of national intellligence agencies or activities as does the United States, and few have been as public or as tumultuous. A major debate has now opened over the future structure, size, and role of U.S. intelligence in the aftermath of the cold war. This unique, and fully updated, book is a history of the U.S. intelligence community--as well as a detailed description of the organization and function of the major components of the community as they existed at the beginning of 1992. The history of the intelligence community can be divided into three distinct periods. From its creation in 1947 until the revelations and investigations of 1974-1975, the intelligence community operated under fairly broad grants of authority based on trust. After the Nixon administration, a previously dormant Congress was galvanized to write new oversight provisions and also took on a greater role as a shaper and consumer of intelligence. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the cold war in 1991, the intelligence community found its role and even its necessity questioned due to the sudden absence of its major target. Lowenthal emphasizes that a competent and challenged intelligence capability is an essential part of the U.S. national security structure, despite the status of external events or threats. The major requirement of this structure, he says, is providing timely, objective, and pointed analysis to policymakers across a wide range of issues.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a welcome and timely update of one of the most concise and objective guides to the history and structure of U.S. intelligence. Mark Lowenthal's book offers useful perspective on, and context for, how the intelligence community has developed and what have been the long-standing issues--many of which remain pertinent as we reshape intelligence to serve us in the post-cold war world.”–Rep. Dave McCurdy Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence U.S. House of Representatives

About the Author

MARK M. LOWENTHAL is the senior specialist in U.S. foreign policy at the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers; 2 Sub edition (August 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275944352
• ISBN-13: 978-0275944353
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,378,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Saved by Amazon, September 30, 2010

By 

Bishop - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: U.S. intelligence: Evolution and anatomy (The Washington papers) (Paperback)

Amazon came through when I needed a break. One of my college classes required a book that I hadn't had time to get beforehand; and those I could find were selling for $25-$35. I found one here, used paperback (just need the data, thanks), for only $6; and it arrived in just under a week. Thanks, guys!