OSS The Secret History of America's First Central Intelligence Agency
Language: English
Published by University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London, 1972
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Dale A. Sorenson, Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.Dale A. Sorenson
AbeBooks seller since March 19, 2014
Association member: IOBA
Condition: Used - Near fine
US$ 17.50
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Berkeley, LA, and London: University of California Press, 1972. First Edition. 8vo.xii, 458 pages, Index, Notes, Bibliography. 23 illustrations from photographs including full page portrait of General William "Wild Bill" Donovan. Green cloth, gilt spine letters. Book near fine, no owner's name. Dustjacket slightly worn, few short tears, light splash stain on front cover panel, price intact. From dj: "Conceived in the military crisis of World War II, the U. S. Office of Strategic Services was America's first central intelligence agency." Founded and directed by General Donovan. ISBN 0520020235; 23 illustrations; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 458 pages.
Seller Inventory # 2815
- Title
- OSS The Secret History of America's First Central Intelligence Agency
- Author
- Smith, R. Harris
- Publisher
- University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London
- Publication year
- 1972
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Dust jacket
- Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0520020235
- ISBN 13
- 9780520020238
- Edition
- First Edition.
--Washington Post Book World
In the months before World War II, FDR prepared the country for conflict with Germany and Japan by reshuffling various government agencies to create the Office of Strategic Services--Americaâ s first intelligence agency and the direct precursor to the CIA. When he charged William (â Wild Billâ ) Donovan, a successful Wall Street lawyer and Wilkie Republican, to head up the office, the die 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 countryâ 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 OSS 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
arguably be called the most authoritative work on the subject.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Back Cover
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 OSS 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 arguably be called the most authoritative work on the subject.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Dale A. Sorenson
Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.
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Dale A. Sorenson
MD, U.S.A.
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