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The Devil's Chessboard
- Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government
- Narrated by: Peter Altschuler
- Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins
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Publisher's Summary
An explosive, headline-making portrait of Allen Dulles, the man who transformed the CIA into the most powerful - and secretive - colossus in Washington, from the founder of Salon.com and author of the New York Times best seller Brothers.
America's greatest untold story: the United States' rise to world dominance under the guile of Allen Welsh Dulles, the longest-serving director of the CIA. Drawing on revelatory new materials - including newly discovered US government documents, US and European intelligence sources, the personal correspondence and journals of Allen Dulles' wife and mistress, and exclusive interviews with the children of prominent CIA officials - Talbot reveals the underside of one of America's most powerful and influential figures.
Dulles' decade as the director of the CIA - which he used to further his public and private agendas - were dark times in American politics. Calling himself "the secretary of state of unfriendly countries", Dulles saw himself as above the elected law, manipulating and subverting American presidents in the pursuit of his personal interests and those of the wealthy elite he counted as his friends and clients - colluding with Nazi-controlled cartels, German war criminals, and Mafiosi in the process. Targeting foreign leaders for assassination and overthrowing nationalist governments not in line with his political aims, Dulles employed those same tactics to further his goals at home, Talbot charges, offering shocking new evidence in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
An exposé of American power that is as disturbing as it is timely, The Devil's Chessboard is a provocative and gripping story of the rise of the national security state - and the battle for America's soul.
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- Kathleen
- 2023-05-26
Not sure what to think…
You’re essentially getting a backstory for the Kennedy assassinations. It’s a compelling backstory. If half of what’s in this book is true it explains the strange place the United States is in right now, which is what I was looking for.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Wells Cushnie
- 2021-09-11
The evil hand behind the CIA
The story of the malevolent hand behind generations of American covert affairs, this is a great read. Dulles is portrayed, apparently quite fairly considering his actions, in a way that can only be called machevelian or even just evil. It is an interesting read and does not gloss over the atrocities committed by, or with the assistance of, the top levels of the American government and in particular the CIA, which became answerable apparently to nobody it it's pursuit of communism. Some of the book dwells on the theory that Dulles arranged the assassination of JFK, and this may put off some readers as it reminds one of a huge number of other conspiracy theories on the topic, but it is presented in a very plausible way. Enjoy.
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- Ian Rodgers
- 2021-05-28
Great but falls into Kennedy Quagmire at the end
I liked the beginning a lot, and there is a wealth of information. There are some mild issues with the recording, takes spliced in at different volumes are a bit irritating. as a Canadian, I'm not particularly interested in the Kennedy conspiracy that dominates the latter half. Particularly, I find the way it mythologizes Kennedy a bit overwrought. That said, a must listen to scholars of American power and its origins.
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- Sandra N
- 2023-11-18
Should be required reading
Meticulously researched, eye opening information in a very well narrated format. I will be re-listening to this and recommending to everyone I know.
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- lily
- 2020-05-19
Loved it !
Great , informative and shocking novel. Although it was filled with many characters and sub plots that made it hard at times to follow along , it all amassed to a truly surprising story. Would definitely recommend to those interested in CIA abs American history.
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-08-14
Wild story of an out of control CIA
Incredibly well researched story of the Dulles Brothers. You'll be seething by the end of this one.
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- mitchell
- 2021-10-14
Great listen
Great listen with lots of history. Would recommend to anyone interested in Deep State beginnings.
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- Dugwynn
- 2022-08-30
The Deep State Uncovered
Fantastic delivery, eye opening insight. You think you know the whole and you only know the half.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 2021-12-01
very illuminating
this book makes captain America winter soldier look historically accurate, very interesting and disturbing as well
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- James
- 2024-02-29
Scattered
Sort of a book that’s all over the place. It wants to say that Dulles was behind the Kennedy assassination, but never comes out and actually says so. A lot of facts were quite new to me. Some chapters just ramble off about vague associates of Dulles and it’s difficult to see the connection. It’s well written but has no actual contention. The book is befuddled in intent
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