| Description |
xiv, 448 pages ; 25 cm |
| Note |
Includes index. |
| Contents |
The system is down -- A national treasure...for how much longer? -- Going to war...with some help from our friends -- Going to war...again and again -- Stellarwind -- Going public...willingly and otherwise -- The public's right to know...and be safe -- Life in the cyber domain -- Is this really necessary? -- "I want you to take over CIA" -- Three "easy" pieces -- A unique view -- Going home -- "No core. No war" -- Espionage, bureaucracy, and family life -- Iran: bombing or the bomb? -- A global enterprise -- "There will be no explaining our inaction" -- Transition -- "General, they're going to release the memos" -- The private sector. |
| Summary |
An assessment of America's intelligence wars from a retired four-star general, former NSA director, and former CIA director reveals the circumstances that prompted unpopular decisions and present unprecedented challenges in an era of threat and change. |
|
"An unprecedented high-level master narrative of America's intelligence wars, from the only person ever to helm both the CIA and the NSA, at a time of heinous new threats and momentous change For General Michael Hayden, playing to the edge means playing so close to the line that you get chalk dust on your cleats. Otherwise, by playing back, you may protect yourself, but you will be less successful in protecting America. "Play to the edge" was Hayden's guiding principle when he ran the National Security Agency, and it remained so when he ran the CIA. In his view, many shortsighted and uninformed people are quick to criticize, and this book will give them much to chew on but little easy comfort. It is an unapologetic insider's look told from the perspective of the people who faced awesome responsibilities head on, in the moment. How did American intelligence respond to terrorism, a major war, and the most sweeping technological revolution in the last five hundred years? What was the NSA before 9/11 and how did it change in its aftermath? Why did the NSA begin the controversial terrorist surveillance program that included the acquisition of domestic phone records? What else was set in motion during this period that formed the backdrop for the infamous Snowden revelations in 2013? "-- Provided by publisher. |
| Subject |
Intelligence service -- United States.
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National security -- United States.
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United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
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United States. National Security Agency.
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BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Political.
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POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Freedom & Security / Intelligence.
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HISTORY / United States / 21st Century.
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United States. Central Intelligence Agency. (OCoLC)fst00536259
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United States. National Security Agency. (OCoLC)fst00529218
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Intelligence service. (OCoLC)fst00975848
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National security. (OCoLC)fst01033711
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United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
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| Other Form: |
Online version: Hayden, Michael V. (Michael Vincent), 1945- Playing to the edge New York : Penguin Press, 2016 9780698196131 (DLC) 2015049127 |
| ISBN |
9781594206566 (hardback) |
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1594206562 (hardback) |
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