OSS: the Secret History of America's First Central Intelligence Agency [By] R. Harris Smith
Smith, Richard Harris (1946- )
Language: English
Published by Berkeley: University of California Press, 1972
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Condition: Used
US$ 28.91
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Fine cloth copy in a near-fine, very slightly edge-nicked and dust-dulled dw, now mylar-sleeved. Remains particularly and surprisingly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and sharp-cornered. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 458 pages; Description: xii, 458 p. Illus. 24 cm. Bibliography: p. [421]-433. Subjects: United States --Secret service. Office of Strategic Services. World War, 1939-1945 1 Kg.
Seller Inventory # 156977
- Title
- OSS: the Secret History of America's First Central Intelligence Agency [By] R. Harris Smith
- Author
- Smith, Richard Harris (1946- )
- Publisher
- Berkeley: University of California Press
- Publication year
- 1972
- Dust jacket
- Dust Jacket Included
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0520020235
- ISBN 13
- 9780520020238
- Edition
- First Edition.
- Item weight
- 1 kilogram
--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.
Shipping rates from Ireland to U.S.A.
| Item | 6 to 15 business days | 3 to 14 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 19.03 | US$ 28.01 |
Payment methods
- Paypal
Specialty
Asia and Asian Colonial History, Travel and Exploration, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Political Economy, Labour History and Literature, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Social HistorySeller's business information
MW Books Limited
70A Renmore Road, Renmore
Galway, Ireland
Terms of sale
MW Books Limited. Registered at 70A Renmore Road, Galway, Ireland. Email;
mwbooksire@gmailcom. Tel; +353.87.6927443. Authorized representative; Jim
Shaughnessy. Company registration; 382786. Vat; IE 6402786L.
Immediate same day dispatch on credit card orders. Full refund on prompt return
of book if not completely satisfied with either condition or description (please
notify upon receipt). Please do not hesitate to email us with any questions
Digital Images available upon request. Accept Visa, Mastercard, U.S$ and Stg
personal cheques. PayPal also available.
Shipping extra. All books safely and securely packaged. Shipping quotes
available, but ordinarily we ship via air priority (except heavy items).
Air shipping to the U.S.and worldwide takes 4-12 business days. Surface is
available, but may take up to 5 weeks. U.K. and European destinations 3-12
business days. Please note that quoted shipping costs are based on 'standard'
books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your order is heavy or oversized, we may
contact you through ABE's 'Request Extra Shipping' facility to let you know
extra shipping is required.
Shipping terms
Shipping is charged at cost and is based on the standard weight of 1kg. Airmail to the US (4-12 business days) costs Euro 14.95 while the surface option (up to 5 weeks) comes to Euro 12.95. Airmail charges to the UK (3-12 business days) are Euro 14.95 with surface charges (up to 12 business days) coming to Euro 11.95.