The strength of the wolf : the secret history of America's war on drugs

Voted Outstanding Academic Title in 2004 by Choice. The Strength of the Wolf is the first complete history of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN), which existed from 1930 until its wrenching termination in 1968. The most successful federal law enforcement agency ever, the FBN was populated by some of the most amazing characters in American history, many of whom the author interviewed for this book. Working as undercover agents and with mercenary informers around the globe, these freewheeling "case-making" agents penetrated the Mafia and the French connection, breaking all the rules in the process, and uncovering the Establishment's ties to organized crime. Targeted by the FBI and the CIA, the case-makers were, ironically, victims of their own fabulous success in hunting down society's predators. An incredible, never-before-told story, The Strength of the Wolf provides a new, exciting, and revealing look at an important chapter in American history. From the Trade Paperback edition Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication CAST OF MAIN CHARACTERS INTRODUCTION 1 THE BIRTH OF A BUREAU 2 THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS CLIQUE 3 ANSLINGER’S ANGST 4 INSIDE THE FBN 5 GOD’S WORK 6 CREATING A CRIME 7 CONTINENTAL CAPERS 8 THE BEIRUT OFFICE 9 THE SECRET POLICEMAN 10 TRUE DETECTIVES 11 ST. MICHAEL’S SERGEANT AT ARMS 12 GANGBUSTERS 13 ANGLOPHILES AND FRANCOPHOBES 14 A SHOOFLY IN THE OINTMENT 15 THE MAGIC BUTTON 16 MAKING THE MAFIA 17 AGGRAVATING EDGAR: BOBBY KENNEDY AND THE FBN 18 THE FRENCH CONNECTION 19 VALACHI 20 THE FBN AND THE ASSASSINATION OF JFK 21 NO INNOCENTS ABROAD 22 THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION 23 THE NEW FRENCH CONNECTION 24 THE NEW BARBARIANS 25 THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE 26 GOLDEN TRIANGLE ENTERPRISES 27 MY ONLY FRIEND 28 ANDY’S GANG EPILOGUE APPENDIX NOTES