Twilight of the Shadow Government: How Transparency Will Kill the Deep State

by Kevin Shipp, Kent Heckenlively

In this groundbreaking book, Kevin Shipp, a veteran CIA agent who worked with all four Directorates of the agency, including protecting the head of the CIA, provides his perspective on how the agency has strayed so far from its original mission to provide accurate intelligence to the American president.
 
You will learn about the founding of the Agency, how the intelligence agencies have manipulated journalists through Project Mockingbird, as well as their new efforts with the Center for Global Engagement, and Big Tech interference. Shipp will also give you his up close and personal assessment of how the directors of the agency have contributed to our safety or undermined it. Shipp and Heckenlively detail how the CIA has blocked whistleblowers and the reforms they champion, while also controlling our country through secret alliances with large corporations, Wall Street, Big Media, the drug trade, and blackmail of our political leaders.
 
Shipp provides his own history with the Agency, both the good and bad, including the Agency’s attempt to ruin his career and life when he turned whistleblower. The actions of brave patriots exposing this shadow government and their dark arts of persuasion are having a devastating effect as they are being covered daily in alternative media and independent podcasts. Perhaps most striking of all, Shipp lays out his plan for a dramatic overhaul of the Agency, likely to win wide approval from other sectors of the intelligence community, restoring the freedom of our country, while also keeping us safe from our adversaries.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History

474 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[John Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather than the "insider information" that you might expect, the book seems to be a collection of passages from previous books by other authors. In other words, secondhand information. A lot of the author's own contributions are based on his own speculation - "this sounds about right" -type of stuff. Then there is the internal office politics, horror stories from his own career.

[Joel O · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you may be able to tell by the start and finish dates, I didn’t read this book in one sitting. It is not a book to read for pleasure or entertainment. It is both frightening and informative. Kevin tells a detailed story filled with personal experiences that will help you better understand the world we live in and how we arrived here. It is definitely worth the read. I will loan it to others to read, but I intend to keep my copy.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this down. Offered a cool perspective on the intelligence industry and the types of things that go on behind closed doors in both the U.S. and foreign countries. Some of the stories seem so wild they read like fiction. Makes you think about a lot of the things you’re seeing in the media today and analyze what that piece of media wants you to think.

[Abby Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, takes you through the history of the CIA (including shady leaders) up to present day 2024.
Despite the very concerning history, I liked that Kevin laid out a plan for reform. He also continued to encourage people to read, think critically, search for the truth, which is the only way out of this mess. Bad actors only have power in the dark

[The_J · Rating 5 out of 5]

It isn't paranoia when they are actually out to get you (even if it is your own side). How much of what we think we know of our government is actually pantomime? Bad actors have infiltrated so much, it is just a question of how much has to be burned down.

[Paul Perrone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and Revealing

A fascinating read, well written and engaging, into the inner workings of US intelligence agencies, and namely the CIA. Including many revelations, backed by independent references.

[William Loder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step to Recovery

I’ve just finished “Devils Chestboard as well as Kent and Kevin’s accounts of CIA and deep state. It’s a confirmation of how corrupt and incompetent our government has been. Hopefully our new leadership will take a surgical solution to help us. Good read.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is refreshing to know the truth!

Enjoyed the book, realized what we have been told about conspiracy theories doesn’t vary far from the truth! And that our government is truly in a mess.

[Cory Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in disbelief how corrupt government systems are. With the help of the citizens voicing their concerns, maybe we can get to a solution and uncover the truth.

[Jaime Alter]

"It's up to us to start the avalanche"

[Johnnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book points out all the issues with how the USA has become not a great country plus not knowing how to be a true friend indeed. Government agencies were not created to have more power than the people. This country is a democratic. Why do we the USA have close to 1 million people holding top-secret security clearances? This country leaders has to change.

[Amy Mcclellan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of glaring typos in this book. Bad editing?

[Natasha B · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book is informative, I found it hard to get into & only read 38%.

[Talor North · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAMN. 👀