Weiner, Tim. Legacy of ashes; the history of the CIA

Kliatt, March, 2008 by Nancy Chaplin

WEINER, Tim. Legacy of ashes; the history of the CIA. Read by Stefan Rudnicki. 17 cds. 21.5 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2007. 978-1-4332-0303-9. $120.00. Vinyl; content, author, reader notes. SA

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Weiner has penned a comprehensive and devastating portrait of the federal agency that most citizens find fascinating but few understand, from its inception in the Truman administration up to the present day. This draws upon over 50,000 documents and 300 interviews. Weiner makes it clear that he is unopposed to espionage in the service of national security. Too often, however, the CIA rendered services to business interests, supported by presidents both Democratic and Republican. Worse, in later years, it became a spin master for foreign policy delusions. The CIA of the 1950s fares best in Weiner's estimation. Its agents were dedicated and battle-hardened, sacrificing to do work as dirty and dangerous as any soldier. They reported the facts. During the Vietnam era, facts seemed to become irrelevant to presidents who scornfully dismissed information that did not support their world agenda. In other administrations, a shift occurred and the expectation was that the agency would solve world situations through covert action, not just provide intelligence.

Another change was a focus on technology and sophisticated gadgetry rather then the recruitment of individuals with the knowledge of language and customs to successfully penetrate and most importantly, understand, foreign cultures. Billions have been lost to unscrupulous foreign contacts, allegedly sources of information. Mistakes were hidden behind the banner of Top Secret, sometimes by embarrassed directors, sometimes by embarrassed presidents. The frequent turnover of directors has been devastating to morale, further destabilizing an already shaky edifice. As to the leaders portrayed, there are more clowns than heroes, and Weiner's scornful tone, while understandable, is persistent. Rudnicki conveys this well in a steady and well-articulated reading. Nancy Chaplin, Libn., VCCW, Goochland, VA

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.