Legacy of Ashes

The History of the CIA

By: Tim Weiner

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 21 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award Winner, Nonfiction, 2007

This is the book the CIA does not want you to read. For the last 60 years, the CIA has maintained a formidable reputation in spite of its terrible record, never disclosing its blunders to the American public. It spun its own truth to the nation while reality lay buried in classified archives. Now, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Tim Weiner offers a stunning indictment of the CIA, a deeply flawed organization that has never deserved America's confidence.

Legacy of Ashes is based on more than 50,000 documents, primarily from the archives of the CIA. Everything is on the record. There are no anonymous sources, no blind quotations. With shocking revelations that will make headlines, Tim Weiner gets at the truth and tells us how the CIA's failures have profoundly jeopardized our national security.

©2007 Tim Weiner (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Absorbing...a credible and damning indictment of American intelligence policy." ( Publishers Weekly)
"A timely, immensely readable, and highly critical history of the CIA, culminating with the most recent catastrophic failures in Iraq." (Mark Bowden, author of Blackhawk Down)

the destastfull truth of our national interest

it shows that only few know their own people. their own country. what's really going on.
that's why I love this America.

Did we do that??

I was always intrigued by the intelligence services of the United States but I was really let down to find out where and how it all started good men, good people, good Livs all lost in an effort to gain that which someone else wants to to be blinded to. From this to Edward Snowdin, where is the justice, and who is the avenger?

Excellent!

This may shed some light on why some countries have a bad opinion of the U.S. To the naysayer I say the whole book cannot be false. This is a good behind the scenes of the politics of the times. I, now 50, do not understand why a country (the U.S.) who believes in freedom would not respect a communist leader elected in free elections.

Great history and I truly enjoyed the backstory!

I loved listening to the history of the CIA and all the secrets (or now not so secret) details of a little known government agency.

Too Many Broken Promises

Would you listen to Legacy of Ashes again? Why?

Yes. In fact I have to hear at least one more time. There is much to digest so multiple hears (is that a word?) is a must.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Reagan because he really helped distroy the agency.

Have you listened to any of Stefan Rudnicki’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I think this is way too complex and long for a file.

Any additional comments?

Great book. Naturally I have no idea how much of this is fact but it all seem possible in such a seedy business. The Department of Defense has much the same mind-set. Sad but true.

Full of historic events

Very much enjoyed Audible read. Have to buy book tho because, lacking footnotes and index, the Audible version just leads to more questions. Author very adroit and skillful writer. Left wanting some of his many story segments to be completed, in the sense that his points were made but this reader not aware of the quote rest of the story. Would love to find and read authors source material.
This book leaves me at times depressed or cynical about the nature of democracy and our conniving, lying leaders from ike to JFK, RFK, LBJ, Nixon, and both Bushes, to their top appointees. All in fear of looking vulnerable or mistaken or ignorant or not reelectable. Their philosophy is the ends will justify the murderous means, especially the Kennedys. Reading the CIA leaders holding their noses while taking these orders and rarely refusing to break the law was interesting in its detail. I guess secret histories come out eventually. Bravo Tim Weiner

Enlightning

A well written book that never gets boring! Amazing insight into how hard intelligence work actually is

eye opening history of US foreign policy blunders.

this book is required reading for every American. eye opening. balanced. masterful account of cia history.

Determined to Survive as an Institution

"Legacy of Ashes" by Tim Weiner describes how many of the CIA's efforts since day one have turned to ashes in terms of operational success and moral soundness. One of the main themes in this book is the idea that the CIA has historically placed as much or more priority on surviving as an institution as they put on collecting and analyzing intelligence. My key takeaway was that the author believes the CIA should have been disbanded or overhauled a long time ago. To say the least, this book is eye-opening.

Excellent!

I have read this book 2x previously. wanting to hear it sold me an audible account.