"Richard H. Immerman, who teaches the history of American foreign policy and intelligence at Temple University, has produced a fine, concise history of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The Hidden Handhas three major virtues: it is fair-minded, readable and up-to-date, including a useful insider's analysis of how the creation of the new position of National Director of Intelligence (NDI) in 2005 has affected the role of the CIA and its director.„ (Survival: Global Politics and Strategy, 1 January 2015)
“Meantime, as far as the book under review is concerned, It's a very well written piece of history and well referenced with numerous end-of-chapter source notes." (Nurturing Potential, 1 March 2014)
The Hidden Hand is a succinct accessible and up-to-date survey of the Central Intelligence Agency's history from its inception in 1947 to the present.
* Covers both aspects of the CIA's mission - the collection and analysis of intelligence and the execution of foreign policy through covert, paramilitary operations
* De-mythologizes the CIA's role in America's global affairs while addressing its place within American political and popular culture
* Written by an esteemed scholar and high-ranking officer in the intelligence community, drawing on the latest research
* Assesses the agency's successes and failures, with an eye to the complex and controversial nature of the subject
* Covers both aspects of the CIA's mission - the collection and analysis of intelligence and the execution of foreign policy through covert, paramilitary operations
* De-mythologizes the CIA's role in America's global affairs while addressing its place within American political and popular culture
* Written by an esteemed scholar and high-ranking officer in the intelligence community, drawing on the latest research
* Assesses the agency's successes and failures, with an eye to the complex and controversial nature of the subject