Reflections of a cold warrior : from Yalta to the Bay of Pigs

Richard M. Bissell, Jr., the most important CIA spymaster in history, singlehandedly led America's intelligence service from the age of Mata Hari into the space age. In this compelling memoir, Bissell gives readers an insider's view of the personalities, policies, and historical forces surrounding such paramount covert operations as the Bay of Pigs, and tells of the lessons he learned from times of conflict. Illustrations. Richard M. Bissell, Jr., the most important CIA spymaster in history, singlehandedly led America's intelligence service from the age of Mata Hari into the space age. Under his guidance the U-2 spy-plane, the SR-71 "Blackbird," and the Corona spy satellite were developed, and the agency rose to the pinnacle of its power. Bissell was also, however, the architect of the infamous Bay of Pigs operation that failed to overthrow Castro in 1961 and led to the decline of the CIA. In this compelling memoir, Bissell gives us an insider's view of the personalities, policies, and historical forces surrounding these and other covert operations and the lessons learned during those times of conflict.Bissell begins by describing his early years as a member of America's unofficial aristocracy. Born in a house that his father bought from Samuel Clemens, he was educated at Groton and Yale and befriended by Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, among others. Bissell recounts how he became acting head of the Economic Cooperation Administration, the agency in charge of the Marshall Plan after World War II, and helped to create the European Payments Union. Bissell was brought into the CIA in 1954, where he initiated a revolution in intelligence-gathering techniques. He reveals the details of these developments, as well as of the unique CIA-Lockheed partnership he pioneered, his participation in the CIA-sponsored coup to overthrow Arbenz in Guatemala, and his involvement in crises in Laos and the Congo. Bissell's memoir sheds light not only on pivotal points of American foreign policy but also on America's evolution from isolationist to interventionist superpower Richard M. Bissell, Jr., the most important CIA spymaster in history, single-handedly led America's intelligence service from the age of Mata Hari into the space age. Under his guidance the U-2 spy plane, the SR-71 "Blackbird," and the Corona spy satellite were developed, and the agency rose to the pinnacle of its power. Bissell was also, however, the architect of the infamous Bay of Pigs operation that failed to overthrow Castro in 1961 and led to the decline of the CIA. In this compelling memoir, Bissell gives us an insider's view of the personalities, policies, and historical forces surrounding these and other covert operations, and the lessons learned during those times of conflict. Bissell begins by describing his early years as a member of America's unofficial aristocracy. Born in a house that his father bought from Samuel Clemens, he was educated at Groton and Yale and befriended by Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, among others. Bissell recounts how he became acting head of the Economic Cooperation Administration, the agency in charge of the Marshall Plan after World War II, and helped to create the European Payments Union. Bissell was brought into the CIA in 1954, where he initiated a revolution in intelligence-gathering techniques. He reveals the details of these developments, as well as of the unique CIA-Lockheed partnership he pioneered, his participation in the CIA-sponsored coup to overthrow Arbenz in Guatemala, and his involvement in crises in Laos and the Congo. Bissell's memoir sheds light not only on pivotal of American foreign policy but also on America's evolution from isolationist to interventionist superpower. Contents 5 Acknowledgments 7 Chapter One. The Early Years 9 Chapter Two. The Early Years 23 Chapter Three. The Marshall Plan 38 Chapter Four. Transition: The Ford Foundation to the CIA 82 Chapter Five. Overhead Reconnaissance 100 Chapter Six. Crises 149 Chapter Seven. Cuba 160 Chapter Eight. A Philosophy of Covert Action 213 Chapter Nine. The Institute for Defense Analyses 233 Chapter Ten. Private Life 246 How This Book Was Written 254 Notes 259 Index 271 This work comprises the memoirs of Richard M. Bissell Jr, whose leadership of America's intelligence services brought about such developments as the U-2 spy plane and the Corona spy satellite, and who was also the architect of the Bay of Pigs operation that faied to overthrow Castro in 1961. Richard M. Bissell, Jr. ; With Jonathan E. Lewis And Frances T. Pudlo. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 251-261) And Index.