Surprise, Kill, Vanish
The Secret History of CIA Paramilitary Armies, Operators, and Assassins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Surprise, Kill, Vanish
Buy Now for $7.99
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Annie Jacobsen
-
Written by:
-
Annie Jacobsen
About this listen
Surprise...your target. Kill...your enemy. Vanish...without a trace.
From Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen, the untold story of the CIA's secret paramilitary units.
When diplomacy fails and war is unwise, the president calls on the CIA's Special Activities Division, a highly classified branch of the CIA and the most effective black-operations force in the world. Originally known as the president's guerrilla warfare corps, SAD conducts risky and ruthless operations that have evolved over time to defend America from its enemies. Almost every American president since World War II has asked the CIA to conduct sabotage, subversion, and yes, assassination.
With unprecedented access to 42 men and women who proudly and secretly worked on CIA covert operations from the dawn of the Cold War to the present day, along with declassified documents and deep historical research, Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen unveils—like never before—a complex world of individuals working in treacherous environments populated with killers, connivers, and saboteurs. Despite Hollywood notions of off-book operations and external secret hires, covert action is actually one piece in a colossal foreign policy machine.
Written with the pacing of a thriller, Surprise, Kill, Vanish brings to vivid life the sheer pandemonium and chaos, as well as the unforgettable human will to survive and the intellectual challenge of not giving up hope that define paramilitary and intelligence work. Jacobsen's exclusive interviews—with members of the CIA's Senior Intelligence Service (equivalent to the Pentagon's generals), its counterterrorism chiefs, targeting officers, and Special Activities Division's Ground Branch operators who conduct today's close-quarters killing operations around the world—reveal, for the first time, the enormity of this shocking, controversial, and morally complex terrain. Is the CIA's paramilitary army America's weaponized strength or a liability to its principled standing in the world?
Every operation reported in this audiobook, however unsettling, is legal.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2019 Annie Jacobsen (P)2019 Hachette AudioYou may also enjoy...
-
The Anatomy of Fascism
- Written by: Robert O. Paxton
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 43
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 32
What is fascism? By focusing on the concrete, what the fascists did rather than what they said, the esteemed historian Robert O. Paxton answers this question for the first time. From the first violent uniformed bands beating up "enemies of the state", through Mussolini's rise to power, to Germany's fascist radicalization in World War II, Paxton shows clearly why fascists came to power in some countries and not others.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Clarifying a misused term
- By Daniel Jo on 2019-04-19
Written by: Robert O. Paxton
-
Offshore
- Stealth Wealth and the New Colonialism
- Written by: Brooke Harrington
- Narrated by: Jennifer Walden
- Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
How do the rich keep getting richer, while dodging the long arm of the law? The ultra-rich seem to live in a different world from the rest of us. That world is called offshore. Hidden from view, the world's ultra-rich can use offshore finance to escape tax obligations, labor and environmental safety regulations, campaign finance rules, and other laws that get in their way.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Important insights into a key threat to democracy
- By DougG on 2025-03-13
Written by: Brooke Harrington
-
Zero Footprint
- The True Story of a Private Military Contractor's Covert Assignments in Syria, Libya, and the World's Most Dangerous Places
- Written by: Simon Chase, Ralph Pezzullo
- Narrated by: Eric Brooks
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Armored cars, burner phones, top-notch weaponry, and top-secret missions - this is the life of today's private military contractor. Like author Simon Chase, many PMCs were once the world's top military operatives, and since retiring from outfits like US Navy SEAL TEAM Six and the UK's Special Boat Service, they have devoted their lives to executing missions too sensitive for the government to acknowledge. Chase reveals here for the first time the operations too hazardous and politically volatile to be officially sanctioned by his employers.
Written by: Simon Chase, and others
-
Buffett's Tips
- A Guide to Financial Literacy and Life
- Written by: John M. Longo, Tyler J. Longo
- Narrated by: Tom Parks
- Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3
Warren Buffett is often described as the greatest investor of all time. In Buffett's Tips: A Guide to Financial Literacy and Life award-winning professor John M. Longo sorts through the mountain of advice that Buffett has given over the years and distills it down into 100 easy-to-understand lessons. Everything young (and old!) people need to know about finance is in this book. From the different types of bank accounts to the basics of investing and risk management, this book teaches listeners how to live healthy financial lives.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
I enjoy Buffett
- By Michelle Marchand on 2023-11-17
Written by: John M. Longo, and others
-
The Madness of Crowds
- Gender, Race and Identity
- Written by: Douglas Murray
- Narrated by: Douglas Murray
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,244
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,037
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,025
In The Madness of Crowds Douglas Murray investigates the dangers of ‘woke’ culture and the rise of identity politics. In lively, razor-sharp prose he examines the most controversial issues of our moment: sexuality, gender, technology and race, with interludes on the Marxist foundations of ‘wokeness’, the impact of tech and how, in an increasingly online culture, we must relearn the ability to forgive.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Preaching to the choir and little else.
- By Gerry Corcoran on 2019-09-29
Written by: Douglas Murray
-
This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends
- The Cyberweapons Arms Race
- Written by: Nicole Perlroth
- Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
- Length: 18 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 95
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 81
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 81
Zero day: a software bug that allows a hacker to break into your devices and move around undetected. One of the most coveted tools in a spy's arsenal, a zero day has the power to silently spy on your iPhone, dismantle the safety controls at a chemical plant, alter an election and shut down the electric grid (just ask Ukraine). For decades, under cover of classification levels and non-disclosure agreements, the United States government became the world’s dominant hoarder of zero days.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Illuminating at all levels
- By Anonymous User on 2021-10-15
Written by: Nicole Perlroth
-
The Anatomy of Fascism
- Written by: Robert O. Paxton
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 43
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 32
What is fascism? By focusing on the concrete, what the fascists did rather than what they said, the esteemed historian Robert O. Paxton answers this question for the first time. From the first violent uniformed bands beating up "enemies of the state", through Mussolini's rise to power, to Germany's fascist radicalization in World War II, Paxton shows clearly why fascists came to power in some countries and not others.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Clarifying a misused term
- By Daniel Jo on 2019-04-19
Written by: Robert O. Paxton
-
Offshore
- Stealth Wealth and the New Colonialism
- Written by: Brooke Harrington
- Narrated by: Jennifer Walden
- Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
How do the rich keep getting richer, while dodging the long arm of the law? The ultra-rich seem to live in a different world from the rest of us. That world is called offshore. Hidden from view, the world's ultra-rich can use offshore finance to escape tax obligations, labor and environmental safety regulations, campaign finance rules, and other laws that get in their way.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Important insights into a key threat to democracy
- By DougG on 2025-03-13
Written by: Brooke Harrington
-
Zero Footprint
- The True Story of a Private Military Contractor's Covert Assignments in Syria, Libya, and the World's Most Dangerous Places
- Written by: Simon Chase, Ralph Pezzullo
- Narrated by: Eric Brooks
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Armored cars, burner phones, top-notch weaponry, and top-secret missions - this is the life of today's private military contractor. Like author Simon Chase, many PMCs were once the world's top military operatives, and since retiring from outfits like US Navy SEAL TEAM Six and the UK's Special Boat Service, they have devoted their lives to executing missions too sensitive for the government to acknowledge. Chase reveals here for the first time the operations too hazardous and politically volatile to be officially sanctioned by his employers.
Written by: Simon Chase, and others
-
Buffett's Tips
- A Guide to Financial Literacy and Life
- Written by: John M. Longo, Tyler J. Longo
- Narrated by: Tom Parks
- Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3
Warren Buffett is often described as the greatest investor of all time. In Buffett's Tips: A Guide to Financial Literacy and Life award-winning professor John M. Longo sorts through the mountain of advice that Buffett has given over the years and distills it down into 100 easy-to-understand lessons. Everything young (and old!) people need to know about finance is in this book. From the different types of bank accounts to the basics of investing and risk management, this book teaches listeners how to live healthy financial lives.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
I enjoy Buffett
- By Michelle Marchand on 2023-11-17
Written by: John M. Longo, and others
-
The Madness of Crowds
- Gender, Race and Identity
- Written by: Douglas Murray
- Narrated by: Douglas Murray
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,244
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,037
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,025
In The Madness of Crowds Douglas Murray investigates the dangers of ‘woke’ culture and the rise of identity politics. In lively, razor-sharp prose he examines the most controversial issues of our moment: sexuality, gender, technology and race, with interludes on the Marxist foundations of ‘wokeness’, the impact of tech and how, in an increasingly online culture, we must relearn the ability to forgive.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Preaching to the choir and little else.
- By Gerry Corcoran on 2019-09-29
Written by: Douglas Murray
-
This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends
- The Cyberweapons Arms Race
- Written by: Nicole Perlroth
- Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
- Length: 18 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 95
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 81
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 81
Zero day: a software bug that allows a hacker to break into your devices and move around undetected. One of the most coveted tools in a spy's arsenal, a zero day has the power to silently spy on your iPhone, dismantle the safety controls at a chemical plant, alter an election and shut down the electric grid (just ask Ukraine). For decades, under cover of classification levels and non-disclosure agreements, the United States government became the world’s dominant hoarder of zero days.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Illuminating at all levels
- By Anonymous User on 2021-10-15
Written by: Nicole Perlroth
What the critics say
What listeners say about Surprise, Kill, Vanish
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lonni Pearson
- 2019-06-21
Amazing, insightful, well researched.
This I would guess to be only a sliver of the truth. But its a good one.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Matt w
- 2019-07-24
Amazing
Enthralling, the author tells you how world politics actually function behind the mass media narrative
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- ZT
- 2021-04-28
amazing
very interesting, great history. Billy is a stud. CIA is crazy! wish there were more like this
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Francois
- 2023-03-21
Intéressant
Récit très interessant et bien ficelé dans le temps. Une prise de conscience de latitude des opérations secrètes. La pointe du iceberg.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tyson Boucher
- 2019-05-21
Excellent book.
Intriging from start to finish. I've never read a book that has peaked my interest as much as this one has.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Justin
- 2019-11-13
interesting
I liked it and liked how the author was also the narrator; she owned it. seemed like a lot of research was completed for the book and like hearing stories like this about hero's that aren't spoke of.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maryann Oliphant
- 2020-04-09
Excellent read of recent history
I really enjoyed this book including the authors narrative. A lot didn’t surprise me but it sure made me think about what is possible and what really happened.
Great
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tivo
- 2021-03-11
Check out the author. She is a wonderful woman.
I loved it. Considering it did not only lay with one organization, she visits a variety with explanations to basic understanding. You can tell she is passionate about her work and actually does tons of hrs of research and firs hand accounts of some specific events! Loved the book, lover her. Be great to each other and stay safe!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ryan
- 2023-01-21
Fantastic
Annie Jacobsen has written and read an amazing book about the CIA, with interesting characters and incredibly well researched, it is far from a dry & boring historical book. It is compelling and interesting, a fantastic listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kareem
- 2019-10-12
Great story narrated by a robot
Captivating story, painstakingly researched full of action and intrigue that was unfortunately narrated by my gps device.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful