The Quiet Americans

Four CIA Spies at the Dawn of the Cold War - a Tragedy in Three Acts

By: Scott Anderson

Narrated by: Robertson Dean, Scott Anderson

From the bestselling author of Lawrence in Arabia—the gripping story of four CIA agents during the early days of the Cold War—and how the United States, at the very pinnacle of its power, managed to permanently damage its moral standing in the world.

“Enthralling … captivating reading.” —The New York Times Book Review

At the end of World War II, the United States was considered the victor over tyranny and a champion of freedom. But it was clear—to some—that the Soviet Union was already seeking to expand and foment revolution around the world, and the American government’s strategy in response relied on the secret efforts of a newly formed CIA. Chronicling the fascinating lives of four agents, Scott Anderson follows the exploits of four spies: Michael Burke, who organized parachute commandos from an Italian villa; Frank Wisner, an ingenious spymaster who directed actions around the world; Peter Sichel, a German Jew who outwitted the ruthless KGB in Berlin; and Edward Lansdale, a mastermind of psychological warfare in the Far East. But despite their lofty ambitions, time and again their efforts went awry, thwarted by a combination of ham-fisted politicking and ideological rigidity at the highest levels of the government.

©2020 Scott Anderson (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Anderson delivers a complex, massively scaled narrative, balancing prodigious research with riveting storytelling skills...Over the course of the narrative, the author amply shows how the CIA was increasingly pushed to function as an instrument of politically charged ambitions. An engrossing history of the early days of the CIA.” (Kirkus Review [Starred])

"Anderson notes the harrowing emotional cost on his subjects…as the U.S. threw its support behind autocratic leaders and missed opportunities to aid legitimate liberation movements such as the 1956 Hungarian revolution. Such blunders, Anderson writes, recast the U.S. from WWII savior to “one more empire in the mold of all those that had come before.” Laced with vivid character sketches and vital insights into 20th-century geopolitics, this stand-out chronicle helps to make sense of the world today." (Publisher’s Weekly [Starred])

"Anderson weaves his narrative among the lives of his subjects, highlighting aspects of their livelihoods as American spies that were at times equally frustrating, ridiculous, and chillingly dangerous...A fascinating and compulsively readable account of wartime spying." (Library Journal)

AMERICAN SPIES

“The Quiet Americans” is an investigative reporter’s view of the American spy service. It is written by a veteran war correspondent and son of a former foreign aid officer. The author, Scott Anderson, is raised in East Asia. He reviews America’s spy network during and after WWII.

America’s role in Albania, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan raises the hopes of many but at a cost of too many lives and dollars. Hope of many of these country’s citizens becomes despair. How many lives and dollars could have been saved and repurposed for freedom and equality, rather than destruction of cultural difference. What Anderson makes clear is that national purpose (American or other) is distorted when it is undisclosed because human beings are seduced by self-interest, whether that interest is money, power, and/or prestige.

Listening to “The Quiet Americans” makes one understand how important freedom of the press is to America. Americans must lead by example, not by covert action. More recent episodes in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan show America continues to ignore history’s lessons.

Very interesting, A great insight into the history of the CIA

This is a very well written description of an organization that, in some ways, seems to always cause the trouble it was designed to quell. There is fuel for conspiracy theories in this book, but also a lot of great history to learn from. A very personal story of those that fought what they thought was the good fight against an enemy that had no problems destroying its own people. We need more people like these, now more than ever.

An introduction to the Cold War spy game!

This book walks you through the early years of the CIA and the Cold War and the buracuracy that entrapped both. while it only looks at four early CIA operatives, it give a good look into the world that few ever want to know, much less talk about. History and war buffs alike will like this book.

I wish they taught this in high school

No axes ground, just stories of regular people trying to cope with insane situations.

No wonder so many in the rest of the world don’t trust us.

Spy craft insight

What a great view inside the cold war era CIA. At the end of their reign, their conclusions open our eyes to the fragility of our Nation States. Today‘s political challenges form on the remains of our ancestors.

it was like a cold bucket of water in my face!

A very important read - we never seem to learn from our past. Outstanding. eye-opening!

very good tale of the CIA

This was a long and well written history of the early days. Fascinating details of the OSS to CIA transition. It also makes clear the problems of politics and meddling with complex issues. I am not sure what the solution is in good vs bad but at least someone has to try. The same problems exist today and there are still lots of bad people out there with no global repercussions on them. Populations are still at risk and no one is there to help them in a reasonable time frame. It’s sad.

Important work on Cold War

Excellent - wanted to learn more about the Cold War and also had done extensive reading on the CIA during this period. Filled in my gaps.

Enormous detail with a personal feel

A simply elegant and amazing book. It has a personal feel while sharing the lack of appreciation for people when it comes to governments in general. Our over fascination in statistics and good versus evil prevents our governments from making a true difference.

Well worth reading to get a glimpse into the real machinations of America's migration pre-WWII to today.

Entertaining and compelling fostered by narrator

This book is wonderfully entertaining, a compelling historiography that is remarkably well narrated. A worthwhile read. A clear and well modulated performance by Robertson Dean, an experienced Audible narrator. He has a pleasant baritone and knows how to perform.