ISBN: 9781493042173 - oss: the secret history of america's first central intelligence agency (12 Ergebnisse)

Paperback. Zustand: Good. The best book about America's first modern secret service. --Washington Post Book World In the months before World War I, FDR prepared the country for conflict with Germany and Japan by reshuffling various government agencies to create the Office of Strategic Services--America's first intelligence agency and the direct precursor to the CIA. When he charged William (Wild Bill) Donovan, a successful Wall Street lawyer and Wilkie Republican, to head up the office, the stage was set for some of the most fantastic and fascinating operations the U.S. government has ever conducted. Author Richard Harris Smith, himself an ex-CIA hand, documents the controversial agency from its conception as a spin-off of the Office of the Coordinator for Information to its demise under Harry Truman and reconfiguration as the CIA. During his tenure, Donovan oversaw a chaotic cast of some ten thousand agents drawn from the most conservative financial scions to the country's most idealistic New Deal true believers. Together they usurped the roles of government agencies both foreign and domestic, concocted unbelievably complicated conspiracies, and fought the good fight against the Axis powers of Germany and Japan. For example, when OS operatives stole vital military codebooks from the Japanese embassy in Portugal, the operation was considered a success. But the success turned into a flop as the Japanese discovered what had happened, and hastily changed a code that had already been decrypted by the U.S. Navy. Colorful personalities and truly priceless anecdotes abound in what may be called the most authoritative work on the subject.…

Paperback. Zustand: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.

Paperback. Zustand: Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.

Paperback. Zustand: Fair. The item might be beaten up but readable. May contain markings or highlighting, as well as stains, bent corners, or any other major defect, but the text is not obscured in any way.

Paperback. Zustand: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Zustand: New. "The best book about America's first modern secret service."--Washington Post Book WorldThe OSS was founded by FDR during World War II and was the precursor to the CIA. Truly priceless anecdotes and colorful personalities abound, including the first head of the office, William ("Wild Bill") Donovan. Written by former CIA-man Richard Harris Smith, it is included on the CIA's Official List of Recommended Books for Intelligence Reading. It is the most authoritative work on the subject. …

Zustand: New.

PAP. Zustand: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

PAP. Zustand: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

Paperback. Zustand: Brand New. 413 pages. 8.75x5.75x1.50 inches. In Stock.

Paperback. Zustand: new. Paperback. The best book about Americas first modern secret service.--Washington Post Book WorldThe OSS was founded by FDR during World War II and was the precursor to the CIA. Truly priceless anecdotes and colorful personalities abound, including the first head of the office, William (Wild Bill) Donovan. Written by former CIA-man Richard Harris Smith, it is included on the CIA's Official List of Recommended Books for Intelligence Reading. It is the most authoritative work on the subject. "The best book about America's first modern secret service."--Washington Post Book World The OSS was founded by FDR during World War II and was the precursor to the CIA. Truly priceless anecdotes and colorful personalities abound, including the first head of the office, Wil. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.…

Paperback. Zustand: New. "The best book about America's first modern secret service."--Washington Post Book WorldThe OSS was founded by FDR during World War II and was the precursor to the CIA. Truly priceless anecdotes and colorful personalities abound, including the first head of the office, William ("Wild Bill") Donovan. Written by former CIA-man Richard Harris Smith, it is included on the CIA's Official List of Recommended Books for Intelligence Reading. It is the most authoritative work on the subject. …