By All Means Available

Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy

By: Michael G. Vickers

Narrated by: Michael G. Vickers

A vivid insider's account of a life in intelligence, special operations, and strategy from the Cold War to the war with al-Qa’ida • "[An] illuminating and richly detailed memoir." —The New York Times Book Review

"Deeply insightful...A sweeping and breathtaking journey that gives the reader unprecedented access to the courage, sacrifice, and bravado of our nation’s finest warriors, in their finest hours." —Admiral William H. McRaven, author of Wisdom of the Bullfrog and #1 New York Times bestseller, Make Your Bed

In 1984, Michael Vickers took charge of the CIA’s secret war against the Soviets in Afghanistan. After inheriting a strategy aimed at imposing costs on the Soviets for their invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, Vickers transformed the covert campaign into an all-out effort to help the Afghan resistance win their war. More than any other American, he was responsible for the outcome in Afghanistan that led to the end of the Cold War.

In By All Means Available, Vickers recounts his remarkable career, from his days as a Green Beret to his vision for victory in Afghanistan to his role in waging America’s war with al-Qa’ida at the highest levels of government. In captivating detail, he depicts his years in the Special Forces—including his training to parachute behind enemy lines with a backpack nuclear weapon in the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe—and reveals how those experiences directly influenced his approach to shaping policy. Vickers has played a significant role in most of the military and intelligence operations of the past four decades, and he offers a deeply informed analysis of the greatest challenges facing America today, and in the decades ahead.

Riveting and illuminating, this is a rare and important insider’s account of the modern military and intelligence worlds at every level.

©2023 Michael G. Vickers (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[An] illuminating and richly detailed memoir . . . In America’s very long confrontation with stirred-up Islamists, Vickers became the nation’s pre-eminent silent warrior." —Andrew J. Bacevich, The New York Times Book Review

“Gripping reading, but also much more than that . . . Over a period of decades, Vickers formulated and executed policy toward almost every hotspot in the world. But this outstanding memoir is not merely an account of one official’s doings during his service. It is also a searching treatise on low-intensity warfare, counterterrorism, and covert action, along with a postmortem of key chapters of national-security policy, with judgments of American policymakers along the way . . . [By All Means Available] is about some things that, amid the deepening degradation of our political culture, have been lost: sacrifice, integrity, leadership, and patriotism.” –Gabriel Schoenfeld, Bulwark

"He was the CIA whiz kid in Charlie Wilson's War. His new book offers advice for the U.S. in Ukraine [and] reviews what the U.S. can learn from its past missteps and missed warnings in Afghanistan." —Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press

Excellent Read

This guy managed to be involved in pretty much every disaster and triumph of the past 50 years. He offers very good insights and opinions, not all that are agréable.
He comments on leaders current and past.
There is a certain amount of well earned braggadocio. Enjoy

Outstanding

A superb and captivating read. I have recommended this as required reading to friends and family.

fantastic life story

This is a very good life story and how one individual can make such a difference. Definitely worth listening to.

A must read on Special Forces/Special Operations, CIA & Intelligence

This is the best book I have ever read on Special Forces/Special Operation & Intelligence. The span of 40 years of service is detailed & enlightening. Truly impressive what one of many had accomplished. All Americans should read & be grateful that we have these type people protecting us. I served in Special Forces & Special Operations but learn many things I did not know.
Highly recommended.

I don’t like being lied to.

Great story and excellent performance. Also I’m impressed and thankful for Mr Vickers service and selfless effort for the country however the political slant is gross and almost embarrassing. Clearly the political slant has been overshadowed by truth in recent months.

Filling in the details of recent covert activities

This book is an enthralling history of covert activities that shaped our recent history. Mr. Vickers not only had a ring side seat to history, he helped shape it as well. The stories were presented without bragging but with in depth reflection & acclimation to those who were also involved with him.

Great career! In many facets of government. Given a lot of responsibility in many positions.

Mr. Vickers gushing portrayal of Obama administration officials fits in line with all the other haters of conservative leaders. Hayden, Clapper, Brennan. Kind of like a broken record on that front. Stolen elections. Etc. but with the start of his career and his efforts in the 80’s was especially interesting.

Very well thought out and easy to follow

Great book! Highly recommend. The author has a logical sequence that he follows and is easy to grasp everything he’s trying to portray.

Amazing memoirs of an amazing American!

Loved it, all of it! Thank you Mike Vickers for your service as a Special Forces soldier, an intelligence community civilian, and as a senior executive in government. Thoroughly loved the audio book and have been recommending it to all at every turn. Having grown up during the latter parts of the Cold War, I found his recollections and context about those times fascinating and intriguing. Working in the DIB and in spaces in and around some of the post-9/11 topics he covered, I am truly grateful he was where he was, doing what he was doing, and that he took the time to collect, organize, and share his experiences and reflections. In the last sections of the book, I appreciate his wisdom and insights on what the United States needs to do moving forward, especially when considering the sheer magnitude of experience and varied perspectives that he has to draw from. Truly enjoyed the listen! Highly recommend this book.

Started off as an intriguing story

The author had an amazing career but it shows how he was inevitably corrupted by the swamp. It’s scary to think that a majority of the “intelligence” community believes the BS he spouted in the book and went so far as to influence an election with a fake document erroneously attributed to Russia. Do not give this liar your time or money.