The Death Merchant: The Rise and Fall of Edwin P. Wilson

by Joseph C. Goulden, Alexander W. Raffio

Author's Note
Preface
The Major Players
The Operator
The Corruptor
The Death Merchant
The Quarry
Appendix A: Where They Are Now
Appendix B: Code of Conduct, CIA
Sources & Acknowledgments
Index

455 pages, Hardcover

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]

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