Like many people I have always had an interest in the history of intelligence. Espionage has always fascinated me, never mind the CIA itself. So I jumped at the chance to review A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA. I was not disappointed. 

This is a comprehensive and thoroughly researched history of the CIA. It is engaging, fair and thoughtful. This was released in time for the 75th anniversary of the CIA and it covers not everything, but enough to get the whole picture, right up to the present day. This book is an impressively enjoyable read. Few people could take this subject and write a book that is so easy to read. I loved this book and I will certainly be keeping it on my bookshelf for future reference. As a serial declutterer, there is no higher honour I can bestow.

A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA by Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (August) – A Question of Standing deals with events that have shaped the history of the first 75 years of the CIA. Unsparing in its accounts of dirty tricks and their consequences, it values the agency’s intelligence and analysis work to offer balanced judgements that avoid both celebration and condemnation of the CIA.

A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA is available here.