Craft of Intelligence

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If experts had to choose a single book to understand intelligence from the late twentieth century to today, it would be Allen W. Dulles's classic work on spycraft. Drawing from his unparalleled experience as a diplomat, international lawyer, and leading intelligence officer, Dulles served as a high-ranking official in the Office of Strategic Services, the CIA's predecessor, and later as director of the CIA. He distills nearly fifty years of insights into intelligence and foreign affairs. During World War II, his OSS agents infiltrated the German Foreign Office and collaborated with anti-Nazi resistance, contributing to the surrender of Nazi forces in Northern Italy. Under his leadership, the CIA developed a specialized workforce and advanced intelligence technologies, including the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. Dulles explains the intricacies of intelligence collection and processing, emphasizing its impact on national policy. He covers surveillance techniques and the value of defectors, sharing his unmatched knowledge of Soviet espionage methods. He also discusses the philosophy of intelligence in a free society facing global threats and addresses the Bay of Pigs incident, clarifying misconceptions about CIA estimates. Enriched with personal anecdotes, this work is essential for anyone seeking to understand the role of intelligence in national security.