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Surprise, Kill, Vanish
by Annie Jacobsen • 2019
Between peace and open war: the secret history of presidents who chose killing in the shadows.
4.31
7k+
Surprise, Kill, Vanish Summary
Surprise, Kill, Vanish 97%
Between peace and open war: the secret history of presidents who chose killing in the shadows.
by Annie Jacobsen 2019
4.31
7k+ ratings
Killing Hope
by William Blum • 1995
For forty years, the CIA overthrew governments across the globe. The full ledger is in one book.
4.27
2k+
Killing Hope Summary
Killing Hope 97%
For forty years, the CIA overthrew governments across the globe. The full ledger is in one book.
by William Blum 1995
4.27
2k+ ratings
Covert Regime Change
by Lindsey A. O'Rourke • 2018
64 covert regime changes, a 39% success rate, and blowback that erased the gains.
4.14
85
Covert Regime Change Summary
Covert Regime Change 96%
64 covert regime changes, a 39% success rate, and blowback that erased the gains.
by Lindsey A. O'Rourke 2018
4.14
85 ratings
The Jakarta Method
by Vincent Bevins • 2020
Washington's greatest Cold War win killed a million Indonesians. Then the method went global.
4.61
18k+
The Jakarta Method Summary
The Jakarta Method 95%
Washington's greatest Cold War win killed a million Indonesians. Then the method went global.
by Vincent Bevins 2020
4.61
18k+ ratings
Overthrow
by Stephen Kinzer • 2006
America has toppled 14 governments since 1893; the reasons it gave were almost never real.
4.18
5k+
Overthrow Summary
Overthrow 95%
America has toppled 14 governments since 1893; the reasons it gave were almost never real.
by Stephen Kinzer 2006
4.18
5k+ ratings
The Brothers
by Stephen Kinzer • 2013
The Secretary of State and CIA director were brothers. They ran the Cold War as a family crusade.
4.15
5k+
The Brothers Summary
The Brothers 95%
The Secretary of State and CIA director were brothers. They ran the Cold War as a family crusade.
by Stephen Kinzer 2013
4.15
5k+ ratings
The Last Warlord
by Brian Glyn Williams • 2013
America's first 9/11 victory relied on laser bombs and a brutal Uzbek warlord fighting on horseback.
4.30
120
The Last Warlord Summary
The Last Warlord 95%
America's first 9/11 victory relied on laser bombs and a brutal Uzbek warlord fighting on horseback.
by Brian Glyn Williams 2013
4.30
120 ratings
The Blood Telegram
by Gary J. Bass • 2013
Nixon needed Pakistan for a secret China opening. When genocide began, he looked away.
4.35
3k+
The Blood Telegram Summary
The Blood Telegram 95%
Nixon needed Pakistan for a secret China opening. When genocide began, he looked away.
by Gary J. Bass 2013
4.35
3k+ ratings
Rogue State
by William Blum • 2000
The world's leading democracy has overthrown forty governments since 1945, calling it freedom.
3.97
926
Rogue State Summary
Rogue State 94%
The world's leading democracy has overthrown forty governments since 1945, calling it freedom.
by William Blum 2000
3.97
926 ratings
The Way of the Knife
by Mark Mazzetti • 2013
After 9/11, the CIA started killing. The Pentagon started spying. The boundary never returned.
3.85
4k+
The Way of the Knife Summary
The Way of the Knife 94%
After 9/11, the CIA started killing. The Pentagon started spying. The boundary never returned.
by Mark Mazzetti 2013
3.85
4k+ ratings
Legacy of Ashes
by Tim Weiner • 2007
Born to inform presidents, the CIA chose covert action instead, and its failures are fatal.
3.96
16k+
Legacy of Ashes Summary
Legacy of Ashes 94%
Born to inform presidents, the CIA chose covert action instead, and its failures are fatal.
by Tim Weiner 2007
3.96
16k+ ratings
All the Shah's Men
by Stephen Kinzer • 2003
The 1953 CIA coup in Iran: how a quick win for oil created decades of blowback.
4.29
12k+
All the Shah's Men Summary
All the Shah's Men 94%
The 1953 CIA coup in Iran: how a quick win for oil created decades of blowback.
by Stephen Kinzer 2003
4.29
12k+ ratings
Devil's Game
by Robert Dreyfuss • 2005
The United States armed Islamism for sixty years. Al Qaeda was the bill that came due.
3.99
272
Devil's Game Summary
Devil's Game 94%
The United States armed Islamism for sixty years. Al Qaeda was the bill that came due.
by Robert Dreyfuss 2005
3.99
272 ratings
The Best and the Brightest
by David Halberstam • 1969
How Washington's most brilliant men led America into Vietnam, and could not stop themselves.
4.27
13k+
The Best and the Brightest Summary
The Best and the Brightest 94%
How Washington's most brilliant men led America into Vietnam, and could not stop themselves.
by David Halberstam 1969
4.27
13k+ ratings
The Spymasters
by Chris Whipple • 2020
Fourteen men and one woman, one brutal job: telling presidents what they don't want to hear.
4.05
1k+
The Spymasters Summary
The Spymasters 94%
Fourteen men and one woman, one brutal job: telling presidents what they don't want to hear.
by Chris Whipple 2020
4.05
1k+ ratings
The Imagineers of War
by Sharon Weinberger • 2017
DARPA gave us the Internet and lost Vietnam. The same faith in technology drove both.
3.69
565
The Imagineers of War Summary
The Imagineers of War 94%
DARPA gave us the Internet and lost Vietnam. The same faith in technology drove both.
by Sharon Weinberger 2017
3.69
565 ratings
The Management of Savagery
by Max Blumenthal • 2019
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
4.29
807
The Management of Savagery Summary
The Management of Savagery 94%
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
by Max Blumenthal 2019
4.29
807 ratings
The Afghanistan Papers
by Craig Whitlock • 2021
Washington’s own postmortem: the war was unwinnable, and they hid the truth for twenty years.
4.25
7k+
The Afghanistan Papers Summary
The Afghanistan Papers 94%
Washington’s own postmortem: the war was unwinnable, and they hid the truth for twenty years.
by Craig Whitlock 2021
4.25
7k+ ratings
Science of Coercion
by Christopher Simpson • 1994
Communication studies was secretly built by the Pentagon as a weapon, not a discipline.
4.11
89
Science of Coercion Summary
Science of Coercion 93%
Communication studies was secretly built by the Pentagon as a weapon, not a discipline.
by Christopher Simpson 1994
4.11
89 ratings
JFK's Forgotten Crisis
by Bruce Riedel • 2015
A CIA shadow war in Tibet helped spark the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Asia never recovered.
4.17
445
JFK's Forgotten Crisis Summary
JFK's Forgotten Crisis 93%
A CIA shadow war in Tibet helped spark the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Asia never recovered.
by Bruce Riedel 2015
4.17
445 ratings
The Billion Dollar Spy
by David E. Hoffman • 2015
A Soviet engineer's note gave the CIA billions in secrets; a single betrayal took it all away.
4.23
16k+
The Billion Dollar Spy Summary
The Billion Dollar Spy 93%
A Soviet engineer's note gave the CIA billions in secrets; a single betrayal took it all away.
by David E. Hoffman 2015
4.23
16k+ ratings
The Yom Kippur War
by 50Minutes • 2016
How a Yom Kippur ambush shattered Israel's myth, drew in superpowers, and led to Camp David.
3.00
3
The Yom Kippur War Summary
The Yom Kippur War 93%
How a Yom Kippur ambush shattered Israel's myth, drew in superpowers, and led to Camp David.
by 50Minutes 2016
3.00
3 ratings
The Twilight Struggle
by Hal Brands • 2022
How America's Cold War playbook for long-haul rivalry can be updated for China and Russia.
3.98
248
The Twilight Struggle Summary
The Twilight Struggle 93%
How America's Cold War playbook for long-haul rivalry can be updated for China and Russia.
by Hal Brands 2022
3.98
248 ratings
The Master of Disguise
by Antonio J. Mendez • 1999
How the CIA disguise chief spirited 150 agents out of hostile territory without a single loss.
3.85
3k+
The Master of Disguise Summary
The Master of Disguise 93%
How the CIA disguise chief spirited 150 agents out of hostile territory without a single loss.
by Antonio J. Mendez 1999
3.85
3k+ ratings
Fire in the Lake
by Frances FitzGerald • 1972
The Vietnam War was lost in the chasm between American optimism and Vietnamese reality.
4.10
3k+
Fire in the Lake Summary
Fire in the Lake 93%
The Vietnam War was lost in the chasm between American optimism and Vietnamese reality.
by Frances FitzGerald 1972
4.10
3k+ ratings
White Malice
by Susan Williams • 2021
Africa's Cold War was a lie. America's real mission: control the uranium, crush independent leaders.
4.17
1k+
White Malice Summary
White Malice 93%
Africa's Cold War was a lie. America's real mission: control the uranium, crush independent leaders.
by Susan Williams 2021
4.17
1k+ ratings
The Jungle Grows Back
by Robert Kagan • 2018
The global peace is a fluke. American power built it; without constant effort, it collapses.
4.09
1k+
The Jungle Grows Back Summary
The Jungle Grows Back 93%
The global peace is a fluke. American power built it; without constant effort, it collapses.
by Robert Kagan 2018
4.09
1k+ ratings
McNamara at War
by Philip Taubman • 2025
By 1965, McNamara's data proved Vietnam unwinnable. Why he kept fighting for three more years.
4.18
528
McNamara at War Summary
McNamara at War 93%
By 1965, McNamara's data proved Vietnam unwinnable. Why he kept fighting for three more years.
by Philip Taubman 2025
4.18
528 ratings
Phenomena
by Annie Jacobsen • 2017
How the CIA spent decades training psychic spies to fight the Cold War.
3.94
2k+
Phenomena Summary
Phenomena 93%
How the CIA spent decades training psychic spies to fight the Cold War.
by Annie Jacobsen 2017
3.94
2k+ ratings
The Situation Room
by George Stephanopoulos • 2024
Twelve presidents. One basement room. The crises that revealed who they really were.
4.33
11k+
The Situation Room Summary
The Situation Room 93%
Twelve presidents. One basement room. The crises that revealed who they really were.
by George Stephanopoulos 2024
4.33
11k+ ratings
The Crusader
by Paul Kengor • 2006
The Cold War didn't end by accident. Reagan spent six decades preparing to win it.
4.33
387
The Crusader Summary
The Crusader 93%
The Cold War didn't end by accident. Reagan spent six decades preparing to win it.
by Paul Kengor 2006
4.33
387 ratings
Imperial Hubris
by Michael Scheuer • 2004
Al-Qaeda is not a terror group but an insurgency, and American policy is its top recruiter.
3.81
2k+
Imperial Hubris Summary
Imperial Hubris 92%
Al-Qaeda is not a terror group but an insurgency, and American policy is its top recruiter.
by Michael Scheuer 2004
3.81
2k+ ratings
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2006
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
4.12
4k+
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy Summary
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy 92%
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2006
4.12
4k+ ratings
Den of Spies
by Craig Unger • 2024
The Reagan campaign's secret pact with Iran: keep the hostages captive and win the White House.
3.84
264
Den of Spies Summary
Den of Spies 92%
The Reagan campaign's secret pact with Iran: keep the hostages captive and win the White House.
by Craig Unger 2024
3.84
264 ratings
Dark Alliance
by Gary Webb • 1998
The CIA's Contra army needed money. The cocaine they smuggled to get it fueled LA's crack epidemic.
4.30
2k+
Dark Alliance Summary
Dark Alliance 92%
The CIA's Contra army needed money. The cocaine they smuggled to get it fueled LA's crack epidemic.
by Gary Webb 1998
4.30
2k+ ratings
The Last Shah
by Ray Takeyh • 2021
Two Pahlavi kings tried to drag Iran into modernity by force. Both died in exile.
3.90
202
The Last Shah Summary
The Last Shah 92%
Two Pahlavi kings tried to drag Iran into modernity by force. Both died in exile.
by Ray Takeyh 2021
3.90
202 ratings
Shopping for Bombs
by Gordon Corera • 2006
Pakistan's bomb architect ran a global nuclear black market that armed Iran, Libya, and North Korea.
3.80
123
Shopping for Bombs Summary
Shopping for Bombs 92%
Pakistan's bomb architect ran a global nuclear black market that armed Iran, Libya, and North Korea.
by Gordon Corera 2006
3.80
123 ratings
R. N. Kao
by Mr Nitin A Gokhale • 2019
How a gentle, artistic police officer built India's CIA and secretly redrew South Asia's map.
3.92
456
R. N. Kao Summary
R. N. Kao 92%
How a gentle, artistic police officer built India's CIA and secretly redrew South Asia's map.
by Mr Nitin A Gokhale 2019
3.92
456 ratings
[(The Coup
by Ervand Abrahamian • 2013
Oil, not communism, drove the 1953 Iran coup. Its buried logic still poisons US-Iran relations.
4.13
748
[(The Coup Summary
[(The Coup 92%
Oil, not communism, drove the 1953 Iran coup. Its buried logic still poisons US-Iran relations.
by Ervand Abrahamian 2013
4.13
748 ratings
Fiasco
by Thomas E. Ricks • 2006
A year planning the invasion, zero for the peace: how ideology and hubris lost Iraq.
4.09
8k+
Fiasco Summary
Fiasco 92%
A year planning the invasion, zero for the peace: how ideology and hubris lost Iraq.
by Thomas E. Ricks 2006
4.09
8k+ ratings
Buckley
by Carl T. Bogus • 2011
To build the modern American right, one man had to decide who belonged and who did not.
3.75
151
Buckley Summary
Buckley 92%
To build the modern American right, one man had to decide who belonged and who did not.
by Carl T. Bogus 2011
3.75
151 ratings
Bangladesh
by Anthony Mascarenhas • 1986
Bangladesh's founders each betrayed the nation. The nation devoured each in turn.
4.12
945
Bangladesh Summary
Bangladesh 92%
Bangladesh's founders each betrayed the nation. The nation devoured each in turn.
by Anthony Mascarenhas 1986
4.12
945 ratings
The Shah
by Abbas Milani • 2007
A CIA-backed restoration, a forced march into modernity, and the revolution it made inevitable.
4.23
1k+
The Shah Summary
The Shah 92%
A CIA-backed restoration, a forced march into modernity, and the revolution it made inevitable.
by Abbas Milani 2007
4.23
1k+ ratings
Area 51
by Annie Jacobsen • 2011
The UFO at Roswell was real. The bodies were human. The secret was darker than aliens.
3.86
11k+
Area 51 Summary
Area 51 92%
The UFO at Roswell was real. The bodies were human. The secret was darker than aliens.
by Annie Jacobsen 2011
3.86
11k+ ratings
The Oil Kings
by Andrew Scott Cooper • 2011
Secret U.S. deals armed the Shah and quadrupled oil prices. The world never recovered.
4.10
831
The Oil Kings Summary
The Oil Kings 92%
Secret U.S. deals armed the Shah and quadrupled oil prices. The world never recovered.
by Andrew Scott Cooper 2011
4.10
831 ratings
Central America's Forgotten History
by Aviva Chomsky • 2021
Central American migration isn't about poverty. It's the legacy of a century of US intervention.
4.06
518
Central America's Forgotten History Summary
Central America's Forgotten History 92%
Central American migration isn't about poverty. It's the legacy of a century of US intervention.
by Aviva Chomsky 2021
4.06
518 ratings
The Great War for Civilisation
by Robert Fisk • 2005
One reporter's fifty-year witness to the West's century-long war on the Middle East.
4.41
6k+
The Great War for Civilisation Summary
The Great War for Civilisation 92%
One reporter's fifty-year witness to the West's century-long war on the Middle East.
by Robert Fisk 2005
4.41
6k+ ratings
Pakistan on the Brink
by Ahmed Rashid • 2012
The Afghan war cannot be won without confronting the deeper crisis inside Pakistan.
3.78
910
Pakistan on the Brink Summary
Pakistan on the Brink 92%
The Afghan war cannot be won without confronting the deeper crisis inside Pakistan.
by Ahmed Rashid 2012
3.78
910 ratings
Cobra II
by Michael R. Gordon • 2006
How the Pentagon fight over troop numbers toppled Saddam quickly and then lost the peace.
3.97
2k+
Cobra II Summary
Cobra II 92%
How the Pentagon fight over troop numbers toppled Saddam quickly and then lost the peace.
by Michael R. Gordon 2006
3.97
2k+ ratings
India's Wars
by Arjun Subramaniam • 2016
Four wars forged modern India. The military history its own universities still don't teach.
4.19
515
India's Wars Summary
India's Wars 92%
Four wars forged modern India. The military history its own universities still don't teach.
by Arjun Subramaniam 2016
4.19
515 ratings
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