Weiner describes the organization as "dangerously incompetent," citing instances where agents were sent into denied areas only to be immediately captured or killed. Critical Reception
Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA: Weiner, Tim - Amazon.com Legacy of ashes : the history of the CIA
The book posits that the agency became obsessed with "secret warfare" (coups, assassinations, and sabotage) at the expense of patient espionage and analysis. Legacy of ashes : the history of the CIA
The phrase "Legacy of Ashes" comes from President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who reportedly used it to describe the state of American intelligence near the end of his term. Legacy of ashes : the history of the CIA