Surprise, Kill, Vanish
The Definitive History of Secret CIA Assassins, Armies and Operators
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Surprise, Kill, Vanish
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Narrated by:
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Annie Jacobsen
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By:
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Annie Jacobsen
About this listen
The definitive, character-driven history of CIA covert operations and U.S. government-sponsored assassinations, from the author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Pentagon's Brain.
Since 1947, domestic and foreign assassinations have been executed under the CIA-led covert action operations team. Before that time, responsibility for taking out America's enemies abroad was even more shrouded in mystery. Despite Hollywood notions of last-minute rogue-operations and external secret hires, covert action is actually a cog in a colossal foreign policy machine, moving through, among others, the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, the House and Senate Select Committees. At the end of the day, it is the President, not the CIA, who is singularly in charge.
When diplomacy fails and overt military action is not feasible, the President often calls on the Special Activities Division, the most secretive and lowest-profile branch of the CIA. It is this paramilitary team that undertakes dramatic and little-known assignments: hostage rescues, sabotage, and, of course, assassinations.
For the first time, Pulitzer Prize finalist and New York Times bestselling author Annie Jacobsen takes us deep inside this top-secret history. With unparalleled access to former operatives, ambassadors, and even past directors of the Secret Service and CIA operations, Jacobsen reveals the inner workings of these teams, and just how far a U.S. president may go, covertly but lawfully, to pursue the nation's interests.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2019 Anne M. Jacobsen (P)2019 Hachette AudioWhat listeners say about Surprise, Kill, Vanish
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ozzywood
- 09-05-2025
Is Jacobsen the best reader for this work?
After listening to NUCLEAR WAR: A SCENARIO, I wanted to learn more from Jacobson. She is a gifted storyteller.
However, her reading style is a little affected, which the material absolutely does not need.
She also occasional makes pronunciation mistakes that bring down her journalistic credibility, e.g. "in abstentia" instead of absentia, or a french pronunciation of "parlance", where there is a perfectly fine, non-distracting English pronunciation.
(There are quite a few more that I don't recall now, but which took me out of the experience at the time)
It's a great complement book to Bob Baer's "See No Evil", and now I'm also keen on checking out "Legacy Of Ashes" by Tim Weiner. All in all: recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mike
- 17-06-2019
A huge eye opener
The series of stories are amazing and you get to learn about everyday people doing amazing (or terrible) things. It confirms alot of assumptions and rumours. Well worth it!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 25-05-2020
Compelling, Informative and Accurate.
Jacobsen’s account of para military activity since its inception is thoroughly researched, riveting and a non biased account. Should be mandatory reading so as to understand the power of government and the impact of war.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 20-12-2019
A gripping book. I was unable to stop listening.
Billy Waugh is everything I wanted to be as a child. This book made me realise just how much some people give up for our freedom.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 14-04-2020
Fantastic
Fantastic book
Throughly enjoyed this extremely well researched book.
I thought the authors voice narrating the book was excellent too.
I couldn’t stop listening.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- russell findlay
- 17-07-2019
Great read
I have listen to all her books and I find it fantastic that she takes the time out of her busy life. Makes it feel a very personalised listening. Thank you so much you have not listen to any of the other books I would highly recommend all of them
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amanda Roser
- 07-07-2024
informative and human stories
was such a great listen .To hear from people who were on the ground and their stories made it a more enjoyable listen and gave a insight into the machinations of war the people from on the ground to up on high.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 16-09-2019
amazing
great book! really well read and researched.
unbiased account of the history of the CIA
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- joe
- 07-06-2019
Very insightful and a real eye opener.
Really enjoyed this book. really opens your eyes on the true reach and capabilities of the CIA and it's associated entities. no wonder they're
budget is in the trillions.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- C. McDonald
- 04-03-2020
Incredible story
Amazing research by the author to produce an amazing book. Billy Waugh NEEDS to go on the Joe Rogan Experience
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