The Death Merchant

by Joseph C. Goulden

Documents the career of ex-CIA agent Edwin P. Wilson, who was lured out of hiding in Libya in 1982 and forced to stand trial for his involvement in the world's most profitable illicit arms organization

438 pages, paper

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since reading The Secret Government, one of Dad's books, as a child I've maintained an interest in bringing to light the surreptitious activities of governments, particularly our own, and have read scores of books on the subject. This biography of one-time CIA and Naval Intelligence operative Edwin P. Wilson, arms dealer and traitor, like the biographies of other, similar scoundrels of the Walker family, exposes the seamy underbelly of the state and the people who live off its black budget.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and detailed book. The author however seemed determined to crucify Wilson. 20 years later (roughly the same amount of time since the publication of the book) documents were discovered that overturned the convictions of Wilson and he was released from prison.

[Dryan1066 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Below average. Didn't enjoy

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly fascinating from page one. I remember reading about Edwin P. Wilson in a series of investigative reports in the New York Times during the 1980s. Everything you ever wanted to know about how an former CIA operative goes off the reservation and starts running his own rogue ops, without anybody knowing anything for years. A lot of psychological information about Wilson, and how he was so adept that he created his own myth, believed it, and made others believe it.

[Tom Nolan]

paperback 4x6