Review of Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA, and the Tragedy of MKULTRA, by John Lisle

John Lisle (author of The Dirty Tricks Department) has written a thoroughly researched book about the clandestine activities of the CIA, focusing particularly on mind control experiments dubbed MKULTRA.

Lisle doesn’t cover much new information, but backs up what he writes with meticulous attribution. Much of his book is based on the testimony of CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb, who told all (or nearly all) supposedly because he wanted to unburden his conscience.

I think Lisle has only scratched the surface in pulling back the curtain to reveal the immoral and deadly actions of the CIA. A similar book, CIA Rogues and the Killing of the Kennedys, by Patrick Nolan, goes into an equally detailed examination of MKULTRA. While Nolan credits MKULTRA for controlling Sirhan Sirhan to act as Bobby Kennedy’s assassin, Lisle stops short of attributing any success to the mind control experiments.

Favorite Quote: Within the CIA, there existed a group of personnel that plotted the assassination of foreign leaders. Insiders flippantly referred to this group as the “Health Alteration Committee.” Just as flippantly, they referred to its work as “wet affairs” because it concerned the liquidation of people.

I once was naïve, believing the United States Government was overall noble and good. I once was skeptical of conspiracy theories. Was I persuaded by propaganda, a form of mind control?

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance reader copy of this book.

Pre-order now on Amazon. Available May 20, 2025.

@JohnLisle @StMartinsPress

#CIA #mindcontrol #NetGalley #SidneyGottlieb #MKULTRA #LSD