A reader wrote a review on Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA
Not the first history, but probably the best because of Weiner's meticulous research and sourcing. He makes a strong case that the romance of the Agency's founders all too often found a ready partner in presidents of both parties wanting an easy fix for thorny problems. A blind spot is the analytical work of the Agency. Weiner's sources appear to have come largely from the Clandestine Service, giving short shrift to the analysts who put the "Central" in CIA.
Not the first history, but probably the best because of Weiner's meticulous research and sourcing. He makes a strong case that the romance of the Agency's founders all too often found a ready partner in presidents of both parties wanting an easy fix for thorny problems. A blind spot is the analytical work of the Agency. Weiner's sources appear to have come largely from the Clandestine Service, giving short shrift to the analysts who put the "Central" in CIA.