Shop the Business Savings Event
Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery
Amazon prime logo
$14.39 with 28 percent savings
List Price: $19.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, January 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, January 10. Order within 17 hrs 18 mins
In Stock
$$14.39 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.39
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
$14.39 with 28 percent savings
List Price: $19.99
FREE pickup Saturday, January 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or Prime members get FREE pickup Thursday, January 9. Order within 17 hrs 18 mins.

1.76 mi | Ashburn 20147

How pickup works
Pick up from nearby pickup location
Step 1: Place Your Order
Select the “Pickup” option on the product page or during checkout.
Step 2: Receive Notification
Once your package is ready for pickup, you'll receive an email and app notification.
Step 3: Pick up
Bring your order ID or pickup code (if applicable) to your chosen pickup location to pick up your package.
In Stock
$$14.39 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.39
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Stephen Kinzer
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Poisoner in Chief Paperback – November 10, 2020

by Stephen Kinzer (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 940 ratings
Editors' pick Best Biographies & Memoirs
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$14.39","priceAmount":14.39,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"39","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"v6y9r4XpiSj0ecXe1toEzCtrnN37pTiF61FYTpDK5fASzCbQn3zsK0V%2BjAtDTHdH22sUJy%2B639HDFajXOCN0CyY4ai5PWLU2Rt97M%2BmBWYLFyLh7%2BQOEzP9ElOO6OgjvRR6msd3QnEgeHuq9GG12%2Fg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}],"desktop_buybox_group_2":[{"displayPrice":"$14.39","priceAmount":14.39,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"39","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"v6y9r4XpiSj0ecXe1toEzCtrnN37pTiF61FYTpDK5fASzCbQn3zsK0V%2BjAtDTHdH22sUJy%2B639HDFajXOCN0CyY4ai5PWLU2Rt97M%2BmBWYLFyLh7%2BQOEzP9ElOO6OgjvRR6msd3QnEgeHuq9GG12%2Fg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"PICKUP","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":2}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

The bestselling author of All the Shah’s Men and The Brothers tells the astonishing story of the man who oversaw the CIA’s secret drug and mind-control experiments of the 1950s and ’60s.

The visionary chemist Sidney Gottlieb was the CIA’s master magician and gentlehearted torturer―the agency’s “poisoner in chief.” As head of the MK-ULTRA mind control project, he directed brutal experiments at secret prisons on three continents. He made pills, powders, and potions that could kill or maim without a trace―including some intended for Fidel Castro and other foreign leaders. He paid prostitutes to lure clients to CIA-run bordellos, where they were secretly dosed with mind-altering drugs. His experiments spread LSD across the United States, making him a hidden godfather of the 1960s counterculture. For years he was the chief supplier of spy tools used by CIA officers around the world.

Stephen Kinzer, author of groundbreaking books about U.S. clandestine operations, draws on new documentary research and original interviews to bring to life one of the most powerful unknown Americans of the twentieth century. Gottlieb’s reckless experiments on “expendable” human subjects destroyed many lives, yet he considered himself deeply spiritual. He lived in a remote cabin without running water, meditated, and rose before dawn to milk his goats.

During his twenty-two years at the CIA, Gottlieb worked in the deepest secrecy. Only since his death has it become possible to piece together his astonishing career at the intersection of extreme science and covert action. Poisoner in Chief reveals him as a clandestine conjurer on an epic scale.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Griffin
  4. Publication date
    November 10, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5.35 x 1 x 8.15 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1250762626
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1250762627
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
iphone with kindle app
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Get the free Kindle app: Link to the kindle app page Link to the kindle app page
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
View Kindle Edition

Frequently bought together

Poisoner in Chief
This item: Poisoner in Chief
$14.39
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jan 11
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties
$18.84
Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 13
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War
$11.99
Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 13
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Treatment
Choose items to buy together.

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous set of slides
  6. Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA
    Tim Weiner
     
    Paperback
    -38%$13.69
    List: $22.00
    Get it as soon as Saturday, Jan 11
    FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Next set of slides

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
940 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They appreciate the thorough research and clear presentation of the facts. Many find the subject interesting and valuable historical documentation. However, opinions differ on the reader appeal - some find it riveting and eye-opening, while others feel it seems sensationalistic or like a novel.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityWriting styleResearch qualityInterestReader appeal
24 customers mention "Readability"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They praise the author's skill in weaving together information and making it an enjoyable experience despite the macabre subject matter.

"Very well written, great book...." Read more

"This is a fantastic book. It’s incredibly detailed (not for the weak I would say). If that’s what you’re looking for (like I was) it’s a great read." Read more

"This is a great read. A rollercoaster of emotions. Definably keeps your attention from cover to cover...." Read more

"...this book, while I purchased it for information, turned into an enjoyable experience despite the macabre subject matter...." Read more

22 customers mention "Writing style"17 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style. They find it well-researched, easy to read, and engaging. The narrative is backed by credible references.

"Very well written, great book...." Read more

"...A very good readable book. Read and learn." Read more

"Great writer...." Read more

"...I won’t point any fingers, but only say that I thought this book was poorly written, if well-researched." Read more

19 customers mention "Research quality"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-researched, informative, and easy to follow. They appreciate the detailed account of recent history and clear explanations of the CIA's drug program.

"This is a fantastic book. It’s incredibly detailed (not for the weak I would say). If that’s what you’re looking for (like I was) it’s a great read." Read more

"Another scholarly work by Stephen Kinzer fleshing out some of the hidden and horrific U.S. history during the post World War II transformation from..." Read more

"...but only say that I thought this book was poorly written, if well-researched." Read more

"...Gottleib himself lived off grid. Fascinating, well-documented but sickening account of recent history, as far as we can learn from all the evidence..." Read more

17 customers mention "Interest"15 positive2 negative

Customers find the book interesting. They mention it's an interesting story from the annals of the C.I.A.'s covert operations, providing valuable historical documentation of his crimes. The book presents the story behind a man who caused enormous harm, and provides well-researched details on a dark part of our history.

"...Gottleib himself lived off grid. Fascinating, well-documented but sickening account of recent history, as far as we can learn from all the evidence..." Read more

"...He spoke well and the subject seemed interesting—and indeed it is, the saga of Sidney Gottlieb, who led the CIA experiment in mind control and did..." Read more

"Well written book on a very dark part of our history. Just finished it and have ordered Kinzer’s book on the Dulles brothers." Read more

"Excellent insight into MK ULTRA, its history, the CIA, and the masterminds behind it all. JUST BUY THE BOOK ALREADY!" Read more

5 customers mention "Reader appeal"2 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's appeal. Some find it engaging and eye-opening, keeping them hooked until the end. Others feel it's sensationalistic and resembles a novel, rather than an expose of horrific abuse.

"I'm about a quarter of the way through the book. It seems pretty sensationalistic to me...." Read more

"I was surprised by the way this book kept me riveted to the last page...." Read more

"...The CIA, so very mysterious , to this day and unfathomable, and so lethal and mysterious ...." Read more

"Love this book. Everyone should read this eye-opening book about covert CIA operations, mind control using drugs and other “torture” used on..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Marc Love
    5.0 out of 5 stars Where's the wild cop?
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written, great book. However, towards the end for the where are they now parts, I was surprised there was no mention of the wild ex-cop that was helping in New York bringing in prostitutes. Was he not in any of those legal cases, as I was curious to know his fate as well as he was a key player in the story.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Magan Stohler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written and Intriguing
    Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a fantastic book. It’s incredibly detailed (not for the weak I would say). If that’s what you’re looking for (like I was) it’s a great read.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • RC Fillmore
    4.0 out of 5 stars When America became the enemy it defeated.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Another scholarly work by Stephen Kinzer fleshing out some of the hidden and horrific U.S. history during the post World War II transformation from a moralistic democracy into a national security state. Mr. Kinzer exposes the hidden inhumane activities that resembled the war crimes of our Axis enemies during the war.
    The OSS and its' CIA successor secretly rescued many of the Nazi and Japanese torturers and bioweapons experts from justice in order to serve our new twisted attempt at expanding their work. The unknown number of innocent victims that were deliberately misled and destroyed under Sidney Gottlieb's MK-ULTRA mind control and assassinations program, remains a secret. At least this book pulls open the curtain part of the way. The author explores the recklessly caused death of Fort Dietrick chemist, Frank Olson, who was deliberatively dosed with LSD without his knowledge, leading to an alleged suicide or possibly murder.
    There is a gap in the author's thin transition from the 1950s Eisenhower administration to the 1960s Kennedy administration. While JFK initially went along with the ill fated Bay of Pigs debacle and the early actions of Operation Mongoose, he changed. I doubt that he knew or would have approved of MK-ULTRA and he clearly was heading in a different direction on Cuba and USSR, than the actions of the 1950s cold warriors that he inherited in the CIA. So one might try to justify such tactics in the 1950s when President Eisenhower enthusiastically supported them, but by 1963, JFK'S Test Ban treaty and efforts at peace before his death, cannot be reconciled with a CIAs rogue torture and assassination program.
    Forgive my skepticism but I am not convinced that the program was abandoned simply because it was a total failure. What has been revealed about MK-ULTRA may have been abandoned because the abuses were leaking out and the leaks became threatening to the CIA. What we don't know about MK-ULTRA may have involved successes so sinister, they will never be willingly disclosed
    A challenge to the author. Use your world class research to tell the true history of the CIA's Operation Mockingbird, which was initiated during the same 1950s time period, but unlike MK-ULTRA, is alive and still in force today. Many of the CIA abuses the author has documented in this and other books, would not have been possible but for Mockingbird. That would be a book worth reading but perhaps difficult to publish.
    19 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • John Berry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Poisoner In Chief
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is the third book I've read written by Steven Kinzer and I loved it as much as the other two. There should be a reader warning that this book contains way more than an adult theme. In fact if one is American that loves his/her country and believes that Americans are above the German and Japanese death camps; well you will be shocked.

    I read The Brothers first followed by All the Shah's Men. One nagging question I've had is whether Eisenhower knew what's going on in his administration. The Poisoner In Chief settles that question for me. Having read about Ike, I just couldn't see his involvement. He railed about the Military Industrial Complex and also the evils of war. It seems he chose a more covert policy with lots of denials.

    The main protagonist is Sidney Gottlieb. I had never heard of him or MK-ULTRA before reading this book. It seems there are a few of my friends who have heard of MK-ULTRA were but I can't imagine they knew about the complexity of this group. I've usually dismissed this kind of information as coming from conspiracy theorists and perhaps that's why it's new news.

    Mr. Kinzer backs up his information with references and footnotes. He did this as well in the other two books I've read. The news is, we were and may still be, no better than the people we accused of horrendous tortures in Nazi Germany and Japan.

    The idea my country would do these things seems totally out of character. Yet, this 3rd book just goes further in shattering my ideals of God and Country. I realize times were different and being provoked to participates as the right thing to do if one is an American Patriot. Then on they marched.

    I guess sometimes it's not conspiracy if it's true.

    A very good readable book. Read and learn.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Russ Kobernik
    5.0 out of 5 stars History is important.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great read. A rollercoaster of emotions. Definably keeps your attention from cover to cover. I'm looking forward to reading it again in the future.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • kayla Flinn
    5.0 out of 5 stars As advertised!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    As advertised
    Report
  • Gute Produkt.
    5.0 out of 5 stars The duality of man- An extreme example
    Reviewed in Germany on September 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Having stumbled upon MK-Ultra in the past I decided to buy this book after listening to a podcast in which Stephen Kinzer talks about this book. Obviously the granular research into how the Project came about and what were it’s precursors has to be applauded. What I liked even more is the insight into Gottliebs life from many different perspectives. On the one side Gottlieb as the poisoner, torturer, assassin, man without a moral compass when it came to his CIA work on unsuspecting subjects. On the other hand a man that was interested in folk dance and by some acquaintances (especially the ones he met after retiring from the CIA) described as a calm, nice, reflected man. Gottlieb himself noted that MK-Ultra (and the human suffering that came with it) served a greater purpose. After all the Cold War was in full swing! Did the power that Gottlieb had over the enormous project MK-Ultra show his true colors or might Gottlieb have been a victim of the effects that the project had in a completely different way than most of the unsuspecting civilian victims? Ultimately Gottlieb was haunted by what he did while working for the CIA for many years after MK-Ultra already had ended-just like many of his victims that were haunted by the everlasting effects that LSD experiments had on their psyche.
    Report
  • Just a Number
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb chilling account of clandestine CIA
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I read this after hearing about the Unabomber's student experiences. It really is jaw dropping in places. Expertly written.
    Report
  • Maïté BISCH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cadeau de noël
    Reviewed in France on July 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Livre déroutant mais très intéressant, mon père est conquis par ce cadeau
    Report
  • RAFAEL HURTADO
    5.0 out of 5 stars El drogador del gobierno que cambió la juventud
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Vital para entender la época de los sesenta y lo que siguió ;fue un trabajo de corporaciónes gubernamentales.
    Report