The Central Intelligence Agency: Security under Scrutiny (Understanding Our Government) (Hardcover)

~ Richard Immerman (Author), Loch Johnson (Author), Kathryn Olmsted (Author), John Prados (Author), Athan Theoharis (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[T]heoharis provides a good introduction to the history, structure, and operations of the CIA, information required to understand fully what all the heated arguments are about. The chapters cover the agency's origins, foreign and domestic liaison arrangements, covert activities, the work of intelligence and counterintelligence units, and CIA controversies from 1947 to 2004. The chapters are further subdivided and labeled by subtopic, and the indexing and table of contents are helpful in directing one's study. The book's reference value is increased by its 29-page chronology of key events, 20-page annotated bibliography, list of acronyms, and short biographies of 50 important CIA-related individuals. Readers can also examine the CIA's Factbook on Intelligence for the official facts and links to more information from the intelligence community....Theoharis's high-quality publication is suitable for academic and larger public libraries.”–Library Journal

“Although the CIA is the government agency most often depicted on television and in films, it is probably the least understood. This volume seeks to redress that problem, as much as possible, with a survey of the CIA's programs, personnel and activities. The chapters are arranged by theme, such as liaison arrangements and intelligence and counterintelligence, and are written by experts on those topics. The text includes biographies of important CIA administrators, a chronology of key events, and an annotated bibliography. It is part of the Understanding Our Government Series, which is aimed at high school students.”–Reference & Research Book News

Product Description

Created in 1947, the Central Intelligence Agency plays an important part in the nation's intelligence activities, and is currently playing a vital role in the "war on terrorism." While the agency is often in the news and portrayed in television shows and films, it remains one of the most secretive and misunderstood organizations in the United States. This work provides an in-depth look into the Central Intelligence Agency and how its responsibilities affect American life. After a brief history of the agency, chapters describe its organization, intelligence/counterintelligence, covert operations, controversies, key events, and notable people.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (December 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313332827
• ISBN-13: 978-0313332821
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,987,580 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides college-level readers with a primer on the CIA's history, purposes, and activities, April 27, 2006

By	D. Donovan, Editor/Sr. Reviewer "California B... (California, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY: SECURITY UNDER SCRUTINY edited by Athan Theoharis and others joins others in the 'Understanding Our Government' series to provide college-level readers with a primer on the CIA's history, purposes, and activities. Chapters describe its organization, intelligence operations, controversies and events, considering the changing role and perception of secrets and intelligence work over the decades and spying and interception projects fostered by the CIA.