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The determined spy : the turbulent life and times of CIA pioneer Frank Wisner / Douglas Waller.
"An intimate and expertly-researched biography of Frank Wisner, the father of CIA Black Ops, telling the story of his exciting intelligence escapades as well as his lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder"-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780593184424 (hardcover)
- Physical Description: viii, 645 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm
- Publisher: New York : Dutton, [2025]
- Copyright: ©2025
Content descriptions
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Search for related items by subject
| Genre: | Biographies. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroud Branch | 327.12730498092 Wisne-W | 31681010414233 | NONFIC | Available | - |
- Baker & Taylor
"An intimate and expertly-researched biography of Frank Wisner, the father of CIA Black Ops, telling the story of his exciting intelligence escapades as well as his lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder"-- - Baker & Taylor
Delves into the life of a key Cold War CIA operative who orchestrated covert global operations while battling bipolar disorder, blending a portrait of his groundbreaking intelligence work with an exploration of his personal struggles and their impact on Washingtonâs power dynamics. Illustrations. - Penguin Putnam
From Douglas Waller, New York Times bestselling author of Wild Bill Donovan, an intimate and expertly researched biography of little-known early CIA leader Frank Wisner, whose behind-the-scenes influence on Cold War policy--and hundreds of highly secret anti-Soviet missions--resonates with the international crises we see today.
Frank Wisner was one of the most powerful men in 1950s Washington, though few knew it. Reporting directly to senior U.S. officials--his work largely hidden from Congress and the public-- Wisner masterminded some of the CIAâs most daring and controversial operations in the early years of the Cold War, commanding thousands of clandestine agents around the world.
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Following an early career marked by exciting escapades as a key World War II spy under General William âWild Billâ Donovan, Wisner quickly rose through the postwar intelligence ranks to lead a newly created top-secret unit tasked--under little oversight--with overseeing massive propaganda, economic warfare, sabotage, subversion, and guerrilla operations all over the world, including such daring initiatives as the CIA-backed coups in Iran and Guatemala.
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But simultaneously, Wisner faced a demon few at the time understood: bipolar disorder. When this debilitating disease resulted in his breakdown and transfer to a mental hospital, the repercussions were felt throughout Washingtonâs highest levels of power.
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Wallerâs sensitive and exhaustively researched biography is the riveting story of both Frank Wisner as a national figure who inspired a cadre of future CIA secret warriors, and also an intimate and empathetic portrait of a man whose harrowing struggle with bipolar disorder makes his impressive accomplishments on the world stage even more remarkable.
