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A Look over My Shoulder: A Life in the Central Intelligence Agency Hardcover – April 1, 2003

by Richard Helms (Author), William Hood (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 130 ratings
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A Look Over My Shoulder, by Richard Helms, begins with President Nixon’s attempt to embroil the Central Intelligence Agency, of which Helms was then the director, in the Watergate cover-up. Helms then recalls his education in Switzerland and Germany and at Williams College; his early career as a foreign correspondent in Berlin, during which he once lunched with Hitler; and his return to newspaper work in the United States. Helms served on the German desk at OSS headquarters in London; subsequently, he was assigned to Allen Dulles’s Berlin office in postwar Germany.

On his return to Washington, Helms assumed responsibility for the OSS carryover operations in Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe. He remained in this post until the Central Intelligence Agency was formed in 1947. At CIA, Helms served as a division chief; as chief of operations for Frank Wisner; as deputy director for plans (operations); as deputy director; and, ultimately, as director, from 1966 to 1973. He was appointed ambassador to Iran later that year, and he retired from government service in January 1977.

A Look Over My Shoulder focuses on subjects such as intelligence collection, covert action, the uses and misuses of intelligence, and the problems secret intelligence encounters in an open society. Helms discusses

• working with Allen Dulles in Berlin in the early days of the Cold War.
• the amazing results of CIA’s Berlin tunnel operation, code name GOLD: “[Soviet officers’] unvarnished comments on the quality of Soviet military equipment, the intellectual capacity of fellow officers, and the wisdom of Moscow’s military policies were in more than one sense priceless.”
• the remarkable progress of high-altitude spying: “[The U-2 photographs] permitted resolution to some thirty inches—not quite enough to limn a football, as some press accounts have suggested, but quite good enough to spot a Soviet soldier perched on an open privy a discreet two hundred yards from [a guided missile] site in Cuba.”
• his relationship with presidents and other key figures of the Cold War: After an Air Force briefing on the destruction of the electric grid in North Vietnam, LBJ’s only question to Helms was “Are the lights on in Hanoi?”; J. Edgar Hoover once offered Helms “a forty-five-minute uninterrupted history of the FBI in peace and war.”
• how President Nixon attempted to embroil CIA in the Watergate cover-up: “The telephone call that set in motion the events that would eventually end my intelligence career came as I was preparing for bed, Saturday, June 17, 1972. . . . ‘I’ve just learned that the District police have picked up five men in a break-in at the Democratic Party National Headquarters at the Watergate.’”

It was often thought that Richard Helms, who served longer in the Central Intelligence Agency than anyone else, would never tell his story, but here it is—revealing, news-making, and with candid assessments of the controversies and triumphs of a remarkable career.
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  1. Print length
    496 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Random House
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    6.38 x 1.53 x 9.47 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    037550012X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0375500121
  8. See all details
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4.4 out of 5 stars
130 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and detailed, covering CIA history from WWII to the Truman administration. They describe the narrative as interesting and enjoyable, with anecdotes that enhance the story. Readers praise the writing quality as well-structured and easy to read, providing a refreshing perspective on the activities of the CIA.

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10 customers mention "History"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's detailed account of the CIA's history from World War II to the present. They find it insightful and informative, providing an insider's look at major operations and important personalities. The author provides practical insights into intelligence capabilities and limitations. Overall, readers find the book insightful and valuable for its historical value.

"An in-depth first hand account from a "been there-done that" Agency officer. Historical value is immense." Read more

"...techniques, but it is a wonderful memoir giving in-depth glimpse into major operations and important personalities of the intelligence agency..." Read more

"...Not only does he cover a great deal of history, he also gives an insider’s look at the frustrations and stresses placed on the people who work in..." Read more

"...There was alot of info that I didnt know and have added the info to my research." Read more

8 customers mention "Narrative quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the memoir engaging with anecdotes and a good chronology. They appreciate Helms' account of an interesting career and find it useful for insights into intelligence realities.

"...It's a highly interesting account of not only an interesting career but it's a good chronology of the early days of OSS through the establishment of..." Read more

"...He enhances the narrative with anecdotal stories, such as when Allen Dulles almost met Vladimir Lenin, before he returned to Moscow and started the..." Read more

"Interesting read...." Read more

"...The book is most useful for its insights into the realities of intelligence operations as well as the insights into politicians and policymakers..." Read more

8 customers mention "Writing quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and easy to read. They find it convincing, well-structured, and interesting.

"The book is splendidly written -- very accessible, very good flow. Well-crafted all-around...." Read more

"...The book is well written and easy to follow. He begins the book by describing his intelligence activities in World War II...." Read more

"Well written and the book is well structured. I can use it as a resource while reading other period pieces." Read more

"...This book is easy to read and very interesting." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and interesting. It provides a perspective from someone who started out in covert operations. The author's take on CIA activities is refreshing and important.

"...Greatly enjoyable." Read more

"...His take on CIA activities is refreshing and important...." Read more

"Interesting read. Provides the mind set of a person who started out in covert operations in Europe during WWII and then grows with the CIA during..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Road Scholar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read it twice. Lots of info here
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    An in-depth first hand account from a "been there-done that" Agency officer. Historical value is immense.
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  • Ben Kenobi
    5.0 out of 5 stars A splendidly written account
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The book is splendidly written -- very accessible, very good flow. Well-crafted all-around. It's a highly interesting account of not only an interesting career but it's a good chronology of the early days of OSS through the establishment of the CIA. This isn't a handbook on operational or analytic techniques, but it is a wonderful memoir giving in-depth glimpse into major operations and important personalities of the intelligence agency through Helms' long career. Relationships are a big theme, and Helms does not shy away from dispensing professional advice for would-be DCIs.

    Greatly enjoyable.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Mike Dillemuth
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Inside Look at the CIA in the Cold War
    Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Former Director Richard Helms provides an insightful and personal look at his time in the CIA. Not only does he cover a great deal of history, he also gives an insider’s look at the frustrations and stresses placed on the people who work in the intelligence profession. The book is well written and easy to follow.

    He begins the book by describing his intelligence activities in World War II. This includes his work with Allen Dulles, one of the Agency’s early founders. He enhances the narrative with anecdotal stories, such as when Allen Dulles almost met Vladimir Lenin, before he returned to Moscow and started the Bolshevik revolution. Mr. Helms also describes his work with Presidents Johnson and Kennedy as they dealt with Vietnam, the Russians, and Fidel Castro. Equally fascinating was his work with President Nixon up through the Watergate scandal.

    One fascinating aspect of this memoir was Mr. Helms’ description of how political agendas seemed to trump national security. He is very candid in describing his encounters with the Church and Pike committees. The political agendas of these politicians placed him in a position where he was forced to admit to a crime so as to avoid financial ruin. Mr. Helms is able to tell his story and illustrate how national security and politics are not always black and white. Mr. Helms was later awarded the National Security Medal by President Regan which definitely went a long way in correcting this injustice.

    Although the narrative moves quickly, it’s still a long book at 452 pages. Mr. Helm’s includes numerous photos which help bring the narrative to life. All in all, a fascinating and personal look at the CIA during the Cold War.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Geoffrey Bowler
    5.0 out of 5 stars A really great book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I used the book for my enjoyment as well as my interest in the CIA as well as spies. There was alot of info that I didnt know and have added the info to my research.
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  • A. M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars An important history
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Helms provides an amazing perspective from behind closed doors. His take on CIA activities is refreshing and important. It definitely changed my perspective on the very important and noble role the CIA played during many crucial events throughout Helm's tenure.

    People who criticize the CIA (and America) from afar would do themselves a service reading books like these.
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  • Chuck Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Well written and the book is well structured. I can use it as a resource while reading other period pieces.
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  • R. Marten
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very open and convincing read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Helms seems to be very detailed in his history of CIA from WW2, Truman administration thru Nixon/Ford administrations. Of course, as most reviewers note, how much is believable depends on readers preconceived opinions. Some of the book drags because he describes so many different personalities in the CIA and the world that he had to deal with, along with so much red tape. This book has SO much more information that was ignored by Allen Dulles' book (published in the mid '60's).

    I like how he didn't shy away from explaining U2 flights as much as he could, addressing Cuba/Castro interactions, Vietnam, and JFK assassination. One of the reasons I find that Helms is believable is that he admits that Vietnam history was unknown or ignored by everybody, Vietnam was not like Korea-they had been fighting for independence for 2000 years. Hindsight told him that Vietnam would NEVER had surrendered. I do find his support for J. Edgar Hoover disturbing, even maintaining that Hoover wasn't homosexual (homosexuality was Hoover's least important flaw). In Helms' defense, he probably didn't have to deal with Hoover much since CIA is responsible for everything outside of FBI's jurisdiction.

    I believe his main purpose in writing this book is to absolutely stress how the CIA is a tool of the administration; President and at least some in Congress are aware and dictate everything that CIA attempts to do. There has been too much discussion on how the CIA does everything secretly on their own without any rules - he's trying to set the record straight in that the Agency has always followed the orders of the current administration.

    I think that he is convincing with his details, some failures and some successes during his tenure. Others will have other opinions on this book- such is the case with an organization that has to protect this country from enemies that don't worry about 'transparency'. Too many people here don't want secrets kept from public, I say that that is the very definition of insanity, treating our patriots that risk their lives worse than the enemies that want to destroy this country.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • randall voight
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insight from the inside.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting read. Provides the mind set of a person who started out in covert operations in Europe during WWII and then grows with the CIA during the 50's and 60's.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • NESTOR JUAN MICHELL BEZAMA
    5.0 out of 5 stars L es recomiendo Legado de Cenizas. La historia de la CIA de Tim Weiner
    Reviewed in Mexico on September 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Richard Helms ha sido el mejor director de la agencia desde su creación.
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  • Oni ilyas
    4.0 out of 5 stars Memory most be available
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2019
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