James Jesus Angleton, the CIA, and the Craft of Counterintelligence

James Jesus Angleton, The CIA, and the Craft of Counterintelligence is a groundbreaking biography that delves into the life of one of the most influential figures in American intelligence history.

With unprecedented access to archival documents and personal letters, Michael Holzman sheds light on the enigmatic career of James Jesus Angleton, who served as the CIA's chief of counterintelligence from the 1950s to the 1970s. The book provides a comprehensive overview of Angleton's life, from his early years at Yale University to his involvement in some of the most significant events of the Cold War era, including the U.S.

intervention in Italy and Israel's development of nuclear weapons.

Holzman also explores Angleton's role in the CIA's investigation of the assassination of John F.

Kennedy and his later efforts to contain the Vietnam-era antiwar movement. What sets this book apart is its focus on Angleton's unique approach to counterintelligence, which was influenced by his Mexican American family background and his exposure to modernist poetry and literature at Yale.

Holzman offers a fresh perspective on Angleton's career, highlighting the sensibility that governed both his personal ambitions and the organization he served. The book is written in an engaging and accessible style, making it suitable for both scholars and general readers interested in American history, intelligence operations, and the Cold War era.

With its wealth of new information and insights, James Jesus Angleton, The CIA, and the Craft of Counterintelligence is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complex world of espionage and counterintelligence.