{"product_id":"the-quiet-americans-four-cia-spies-at-the-dawn-of-the-cold-war-9781101911730","title":"The Quiet Americans: Four CIA Spies at the Dawn of the Cold War","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom the bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eLawrence in Arabia\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e--\u003c\/i\u003et\u003c\/b\u003ehe gripping story of four CIA agents during the early days of the Cold War--and how the United States, at the very pinnacle of its power, managed to permanently damage its moral standing in the world. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Enthralling ... captivating reading.\" --\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAt the end of World War II, the United States was considered the victor over tyranny and a champion of freedom. But it was clear--to some--that the Soviet Union was already seeking to expand and foment revolution around the world, and the American government's strategy in response relied on the secret efforts of a newly formed CIA. Chronicling the fascinating lives of four agents, Scott Anderson follows the exploits of four spies: Michael Burke, who organized parachute commandos from an Italian villa; Frank Wisner, an ingenious spymaster who directed actions around the world; Peter Sichel, a German Jew who outwitted the ruthless KGB in Berlin; and Edward Lansdale, a mastermind of psychological warfare in the Far East. But despite their lofty ambitions, time and again their efforts went awry, thwarted by a combination of ham-fisted politicking and ideological rigidity at the highest levels of the government.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eScott Anderson\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of two novels and four works of nonfiction, including \u003ci\u003eLawrence in Arabia\u003c\/i\u003e, an international bestseller which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and a \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003eNotable Book. A veteran war correspondent, he is a contributing writer for\u003ci\u003e The New York Times Magazine.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50671514779922,"sku":"9781101911730","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_4df2616f-4015-45f1-ba8f-655e5437fb1b.jpg?v=1733803168","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-quiet-americans-four-cia-spies-at-the-dawn-of-the-cold-war-9781101911730","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}