The Origins of FBI Counterintelligence (Modern War Studies) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: counterintelligence structure, prosecution memo, counterintelligence policy, United States, New York, State Department (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A richly detailed account of the FBI's response to the world crisis of the 1930s and 1940s that overturns much accepted 'wisdom' about FBI intelligence failures and turf battles. Batvinis stays close to his sources while telling an engrossing story that should become the new standard account of FBI counterintelligence. A stimulating and fascinating work." Richard Gid Powers, author of Secrecy and Power: The Life of J. Edgar Hoover "A strong and compelling book on the FBI's pre-World War II transformation." Katherine Sibley, author of Red Spies in America: Stolen Secrets and the Dawn of the Cold War "An important book on a little-explored aspect of FBI history." Athan Theoharis, author of The FBI and American Democracy: A Brief Critical History"

Review

"This interesting book traces the development of the FBI's counterintelligence role in the crucible of pre-World War II security concerns." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 332 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Kansas; annotated edition edition (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0700614958
• ISBN-13: 978-0700614950
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #968,606 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Start at Understanding the History of FBI Counterintelligence, January 26, 2008

By	Roger D. Launius "Historian" (Washington, D.C., United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is a fine volume that offers a timely appraisal of how one of the nation's oldest and most revered law enforcement organizations restructured itself to execute the counterintelligence mission that became so critical as the world careened toward war in the 1930s. In the process Herbert Hoover took the opportunity to greatly expand the scope and power of the FBI to undertake surveillance across a much broader front than ever before. The author, Raymond J. Batvinis, does much to show how the FBI transformed itself, played politics, and became a publicly revered entity through its emphasis on counterintelligence.

Raymond Batvinis also does a fine job of exploring the bureaucratic battles within the government--especially between the FBI and the State Department--over who performed the mission and how it would be executed. The combination of the FBI's criminal investigation skills coupled with new techniques and objectives--for example wiretapping and domestic surveillance--presages some the debates and abuses of the post-9/11 era. In this regard "The Origins of FBI Counter-Intelligence" is highly instructive.

While an excellent book in overall, I was taken by the lack of depth in discussing the beginnings of the dispute between J. Edgar Hoover and General William Donovan of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the forerunner of the CIA, over jurisdictional issues involving counterintelligence from the onset of World War II. This is why I gave it a four instead of a five star review. Nonetheless, this is a very fine study of an important topic.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Reference on the FBI, June 9, 2007

By	W. Houghton (Sequim, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a fast, easy read with lots of details and facts about the early history of FBI. It is a must read for students of the pre-WW II era. Batvinis has done some supurb primary reasearch, even gong back to FDR's personal files to see what he said about the threats against our country. I just retired from the FBI after 30 years and I didn't know half the stuff in this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book, July 10, 2008

By	Stephen D. Calhoun "Stephen D. Calhoun" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Marylanders: Without Shelter or a Crumb I strongly recommend this book. Dr. Batvinis has thoroughly researched the topic of our government's efforts prior to World War Two to create a system to counteract Axis and Soviet espionage. His historical research and conclusions are very relevant to the current issues we now face in our post 9/11 world. The issue of Constitutional law versus our need for national security is explored through the author's thorough examination of the decision making process between government appointed and elected officials.