The Devil's Chessboard

Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government

By: David Talbot

Narrated by: Peter Altschuler

Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins

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.

©2015 David Talbot (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Everyone should read!

A brilliant account of how and why our nation and world is the way it is now.

Extensive

This book is really good it covers many events that are not generally taught in America I would be interested to have a little more Puerto Rican history as it pertained to the subject but understand this subject can be a never ending rabbit hole and the author has to draw a line some where. If you are a JFK enthusiasts you will love the end of this book, really well sourced.

the JFK info is great

it's a little hard to listen to to hear all the things the CIA has done sometimes ignorance is sweet

Understanding the deep state

This is the best book that I’ve found which goes into enough detail to understand these deep state actors.
The only conclusion is to shut down the CIA!

Stunning!

This book is an absolutely gripping read - especial for students of US history. It takes a close and important look at the Dulles brothers and adds to understanding what has happened to CIA

Fascinating

I loved this book. It was a thoroughly researched book with interesting theories and parallels pertaining to our government and the way it functions. The time line was easy to follow and all avenues were well explored.

A must read for all Americans

Democrat or Republican or independent everyone with a stake in America’s future should devour this book as a well written and researched work showing The path we have taken to get where we are and anIndicator of where we are headedUnless some very dramatic changes occur at all levels of government.

read this

this book had me not wanting to put it downhigjly recommend everuone ahould read this .

Very Informative

It's so hard to know if every little detail is true but this was very informative on a bit of American History that no one talks about.

Get the rest of the story

After listening to this, you will find your perception of the United States and its spy agencies, the F PI, in the CIA, perhaps changed to see them as the dark and dangerous organizations that they have become.