The Craft We Chose My Life In The Cia
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is one of the most secretive organizations in the world. It is responsible for gathering intelligence and conducting covert operations on behalf of the United States government. The agency has been the subject of many books and movies, but few have provided as much insight into the agency's inner workings as former CIA officer Richard Helms' memoir, "The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA."
Background
Richard Helms was born in 1913 in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania. He attended Williams College and later joined the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. Helms transferred to the CIA when it was formed in 1947 and quickly rose through the ranks. He served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1966 to 1973, a period that included the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and the Cold War.
The Craft We Chose
"The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA" is Helms' memoir, published posthumously in 2003. The book provides a rare look into the inner workings of the agency during some of its most tumultuous times. Helms writes about his experiences in the OSS, his work in Europe during the Cold War, and his time as CIA Director.
The CIA's Role
The CIA's role in American foreign policy is often controversial. The agency has been accused of everything from assassination plots to illegal surveillance. Helms' book provides some insight into how the agency operates and how it justifies its actions. He writes, "There is no question that the CIA is a secretive and, at times, controversial organization. But it is an essential one as well. Without the CIA, the United States would be at a severe disadvantage in the world of international relations."
Controversies
The CIA has been the subject of many controversies throughout its history. One of the most famous is the Iran-Contra Affair, in which the agency supplied weapons to Iran in exchange for hostages and used the profits to fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua. Helms was not directly involved in the affair but was criticized for not doing more to stop it.
Conclusion
"The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA" is an important book for anyone interested in the history of the agency and American foreign policy. It provides a unique perspective on the CIA's operations and controversies from someone who was intimately involved in them. Whether you agree or disagree with the agency's actions, it is important to understand how it operates and why it believes it is necessary.