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In Search of Enemies: A CIA Story Paperback – Illustrated, March 17, 1984

by John Stockwell (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 103 ratings
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“[The United States’ goal in Angola] was not to keep out the Cubans and Soviets but to make their imperial efforts as costly as possible to prove that, after Vietnam, we were still capable of response, however insane. It is the story that has been told, and in impressive and convincing detail, by John Stockwell, the former chief of the CIA’s Angola ‘task force.’ His book should not be missed. Since strategic thought survives by ignoring experience, it has a highly professional interest in avoiding accounts such as this. By the same token, all who are alarmed about the tendency toward such strategic thinking should strongly welcome Mr. Stockwell’s book.” ―John Kenneth Galbraith, New York Review of Books

In Search of Enemies is much more than the story of the only war to be found when the CIA sought to recoup its prestige after the Vietnam debacle. Though no American troops were committed to Angola, only “advisors,” many millions were spent, many thousands died, and many lies were told to the American people, in waging a war without purpose to American vital interests and without hope of victory.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    W. W. Norton
  4. Publication date
    March 17, 1984
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 1 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0393009262
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0393009262
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John R. Stockwell (1937- ), who lived in Africa for ten of his early years, is a graduate of the University of Texas and an alumnus of the U.S. Marine Corps. After twelve years as a CIA officer, he resigned from the agency on April 1, 1977.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton; First Edition (March 17, 1984)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393009262
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393009262
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 103 ratings

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John Stockwell

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4.6 out of 5 stars
103 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and detailed. They appreciate the author's clear writing style and eye-opening account of the CIA's operations in Angola.

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ReadabilityDetail
10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and detailed. They say the author is a good speaker, and that his writing style carries over into his speaking.

"...He is a very well spoken person, & that carries over into his writing...." Read more

"...Stockwell has given a readable and detailed account of the Angolan situation...." Read more

"It is good tell all book on what the CIA has done in the past. One can only imagine what they are doing now." Read more

"Great book all around" Read more

3 customers mention "Detail"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's detail. They find it an eye-opening account of the CIA and the Angolan situation, providing an in-depth look at both.

"...anyone interesting in US foreign policy or war issues as it illustrates in detail who the CIA runs a covert operation, from beginning to end...." Read more

"...Stockwell has given a readable and detailed account of the Angolan situation...." Read more

"It an eye opening book...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Andrew
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, Unknown American History
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    First, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a book in great condition as compared to it's selling description.
    Second, I learned of this book while watching a YouTube video documentary about the authors last months in Vietnam. He is a very well spoken person, & that carries over into his writing.
    Third, the old saying "Those who don't know history are condemned to repeat it" clearly applies to the CIA. Observant & thinking people would see the similarities between this authors experience in Vietnam & what the United States experienced (repeated) in both Iraq & Afghanistan. I coined the phrase, "Make enough mistakes, & you learn what NOT to do." This is usually true for most.
    Overall a grade of "A++", & I intend to purchase his other books along with many of those he referenced in the book. From Amazon, it possible!
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Pame
    5.0 out of 5 stars This isn't a fiction book. Facts aren't always exciting.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Okay, for starters I see 1-2 stars reviews saying that this book is boring and not enough explosions for a book about war. Coming from Angola, I can tell you that their where enough explosions. However, this book isn't about that. It's about the corruption of a government and it's involvement in a war, that they had no business being in. So yeah, it is a bit boring to read about off the books politics, what did you expect? If your looking for facts from a ex-CIA personal this book is great. If your looking for action and downright fiction, pick up another book.

    As far as from the conditions the book I received, because I bought this used, it was good. Missing the dust jacket, and the sides are slightly yellowing. Other than those too minor cosmetic imperfections the book in more than acceptable.
    31 people found this helpful
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  • Jonathan W. Hackett
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Telling Parable that is Sadly True
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    What does a war machine do after more than two decades of sustained, intricate intelligence operations in a kinetic environment? Should the machine be powered down, rested, and reevaluated? Or should it pivot from Asia to another continent to face Russia? This is not a story of US intelligence and military activities after withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2021 and pivoting to Ukraine, though recent events certainly mirror Stockwell's story. Instead, this is an earlier story about another war in Asia and another pivot toward confronting Russia, this time in 1976 in Angola.

    Stockwell played a major role in this war America forgot. That war in Angola is full of lessons about the tyranny of bureaucracy, the inability of practitioners to stop practicing, and the force of habit driving us toward doom even when failure is accepted from the outset. Indeed, the presidential finding authorizing the covert war in Angola explicitly directed the CIA to avoid victory -- the goal was instead to hemorrhage Russian coffers and bleed Angolan bodies, all to keep Russia "on its toes" after the US abandoned Vietnam the year before. What lessons can a story like this teach us? And, more importantly, are we ready to listen?
    2 people found this helpful
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  • XUSMICO1-87
    5.0 out of 5 stars classic truth
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    a spot-on hands down accurate read of USI activity and the good old boy protection racket and the creation of threats to forward political goals and keep the senior staff employed, "war is a racket". accurate account of inside USI political games regarding promotions, friends in high places
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Nathaniel Wallace
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book from a Brilliant and Intrepid Man, John Stockwell!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Stockwell should be required reading! If more read his work we'd be a far less propagandized society, than the one we've unfortunately become here in the U.S.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Fred Shoppin
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a must read for anyone interesting in US foreign policy or war issues as it illustrates in detail who the CIA runs a covert operation, from beginning to end. It ain't pretty, if you believes in the Constitution. The author illustrates how the CIA lies, to Congress, to the public, and even to the layers within its bureaucratic web.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Pitawas
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good companion to my audiobook
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    History tends to repeat itself, and thus book provides preview of similar things to come.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Geoffrey A.
    4.0 out of 5 stars CIA covert operations
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Quite an exposure of CIA covert operations extending from 1949 to this day covering the globe, an identical modus operandi for the current war with Ukraine. Just change the names and country.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Geoffrey Lowe
    5.0 out of 5 stars CIA involvement in Angola conflict.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    As a soldier in the South African Defence Force, there were plenty of suspicions about CIA involvement in the Angolan conflict. I spent a total of 6 months on the South West African / Angolan border. There was a lot of speculation that we were fighting a proxy war for the Americans. It was good to know that we were right.
    Report
  • Mari-Liis Maarend
    5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived in perfect condition. Enjoyed the book.
    Reviewed in Australia on September 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Arrived in perfect condition. Enjoyed the book.
    Report
  • septiniosevero
    4.0 out of 5 stars La CIA vista desde dentro
    Reviewed in Spain on February 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Elegí el libro para un trabajo y me gustó bastan te por ver la CIA desde dentro, no todo por supuesto, pero aprendes que la CIA no lo hace todo por dinero, ni por petróleo, ni por materias primas, ni por posición estratégica. Naturalmente pega saltos de cosas que no puede o no quiere decir, como el contenido de algunas reuniones.
    Report
  • Segontra
    4.0 out of 5 stars Stockwell
    Reviewed in Germany on November 24, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Muss zugeben, dass ich das Buch bis heute nicht zu Ende gelesen habe. Stockwell, ein alter CIA Haudegen, ist jedoch klar zu empfehlen, wenn man sich ein Bild von der Szene machen will.
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  • Eddie Concannon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Braces unclip often.
    Reviewed in Australia on May 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Braces unclip regularly very annoying.
    but delivery very good and fast.
    Report