Executive Secrets: Covert Action and the Presidency

by William J. Daugherty

A frank and refreshing evaluation of several Chief Executives, their Directors of Central Intelligence, and even some lower in the hierarchy, Executive Secrets shines light on the development and execution of foreign policy through the understanding of the tools available, of which covert action may be least known and understood. This book is a great tool for the press, the public, and many political appointees in the National Security System. A History Book Club Selection with a foreword by Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down.

Genres: History, Espionage

326 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1996

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historic look at the CIA from its beginning in 1947 and the importance and use to maintaining national security. Since after World War II, this agency has been using covert action based on only presidential decisions, or at least this is what the author, a seventeen year veteran operations office with the CIA, has revealed in this work. Informative, and revealing, yet you can feel which way the author leans in his writing, but what else is a "company" man to do?

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating study of Presidential use of covert action programs, and all the legislative oversight involved, in said use, and the role of the President. overall a very informative book.

[L J]

Reads like a text book. I really don't want a masters degree in the subject.