Gentleman Spy: The Life of Allen Dulles

( 1 )

Overview

In this Masterly Biography, Allen Dulles emerges from the shadows that have concealed him for more than thirty years as one of the most intriguing figures in recent American history. A spymaster, a worldly patrician prone to romantic adventure, head of the Central Intelligence Agency under Eisenhower and Kennedy, Dulles was the creator of an intelligence establishment that bears his controversial mark even today. Dulles was destined for a life of public service, starting as a young diplomat representing the ...
See more details below
Available through our Marketplace sellers.
See All Options
Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (9) from $6.88   
  • New (3) from $95.61   
  • Used (6) from $6.88   
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Note: Marketplace items are not eligible for any BN.com coupons and promotions
$95.61
bargainforce
Seller since 2008

Feedback rating:

(173)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

New
1558490442 New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!

Ships from: Naperville, IL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$125.00
bluehouse
Seller since 2013

Feedback rating:

(39)

Condition: New
Brand new.

Ships from: acton, MA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
$125.00
bluehouse
Seller since 2013

Feedback rating:

(39)

Condition: New
Brand new.

Ships from: acton, MA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Close
Sort by
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

In this Masterly Biography, Allen Dulles emerges from the shadows that have concealed him for more than thirty years as one of the most intriguing figures in recent American history. A spymaster, a worldly patrician prone to romantic adventure, head of the Central Intelligence Agency under Eisenhower and Kennedy, Dulles was the creator of an intelligence establishment that bears his controversial mark even today. Dulles was destined for a life of public service, starting as a young diplomat representing the United States at the funeral in 1916 of the Hapsburg Emperor Franz Josef in Vienna. Five decades later, as a sophisticated elder statesman, he played the delicate role of "double agent" on the Warren Commission - investigating the Kennedy assassination and preserving the secrets of the CIA at the same time. Along the way he managed to cloak himself in mystery and personal power. His life touched upon the great moments of the American twentieth century. In the State Department, in the private practice of international law, in the wartime OSS, and in the CIA, Dulles devoted his life to "the craft of intelligence," including bold and aggressive pursuit of covert actions to further what he perceived as America's political interests abroad.

This masterful biography brings out from the shadows that have surrounded him for 30 years one of the most intriguing figures in recent American history--Allen Dulles, head of the CIA under Eisenhower and Kennedy. This authoritative account is a spellbinding and fully human portrait of the man who opened a new chapter in the history of espionage. 16 pages of photos.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
This is the first full-length biography of the man historian Michael Beschloss calls the keystone figure in the history of American intelligence. Allen Dulles (1893-1969) served in the Office of Strategic Services in Europe during WWII and was named director of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1953, serving under Eisenhower and Kennedy. In an overlong, sometimes tedious narrative, Grose (Israel in the Mind of America) describes how Dulles oversaw the firm establishment of the CIA in the Washington power structure during the Eisenhower years (his older brother, John Foster Dulles, was then the Secretary of State), only to be forced out after the CIA's failure in the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. Later appointed to the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of President Kennedy, Dulles became its most diligent member, according to Grose, and a supporter of the view that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Other controversial issues explored include Dulles's exploitation of ex-Nazi Reinhard Gehler's spy network in the early years of the Cold War, and whether JFK authorized, or even knew about, CIA attempts to liquidate Castro. Grose delves unenlighteningly into Dulles's shortcomings as husband and father; he kept a mistress or two and spent little time at home. Photos. (Nov.)
Library Journal
Benefiting from access to newly opened sources, this book describes how Dulles used his natural charm to win friends, discover information, and work his way to the top of the CIA. Grose, who has years of experience in foreign affairs both as a journalist and a State Department official, also paints an interesting picture of the powerful, moneyed world of international finance and politics that most of us never see. He goes fairly easy on Dulles, concentrating on his official work and delving less deeply into his personal life; in many ways, this book reflects Dulles's own style. For a more critical view of Dulles's complex relations with fascists and European industrialists before, during, and after World War II, see Burton Hersh's The Old Boys: The American Elite and the Origins of the CIA (LJ 2/15/92). Recommended for informed readers. (Index not seen.)-Daniel K. Blewett, Loyola Univ. Lib., Chicago
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781558490444
  • Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press
  • Publication date: 9/28/1996
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 672
  • Product dimensions: 6.12 (w) x 9.23 (h) x 1.72 (d)

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 1 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 26, 2000

    Great book -- very interesting

    What a great book! If you are a history buff like me, you'll love this book. Allen Dulles, former lawyer, former diplomat, former OSS Operative, former President of the Council on Foreign Relations, for Director of the CIA (under Eisenhower and Kennedy), and brother of the Secretary of State (John Foster Dulles who the airport is named after), and member of the establishment -- this book is quite a treat. It takes us through the post-WWI years and then through WWII where Dulles was stationed for OSS in Bern. It then details the formation and escalation of the Cold War. Grosse does a terrific job detailing Dulles's public and personal lives. Highly recommended.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)