The CIA: An Imperial History by Hugh Wilford
The CIA: An Imperial History by Hugh Wilford examines how the US intelligence agency expanded from foreign intelligence analysis into covert political operations and surveillance. Its account connects Cold War interventions with the longer history of empire and the post-9/11 hunt for terrorists.
At a glance
- Traces the CIA’s shift from analysing foreign intelligence to carrying out covert political operations and domestic surveillance.
- Frames US interventions through the history of empire, including the Cold War and the post-9/11 period.
- The publisher describes the account as drawing on decades of research by intelligence historian Hugh Wilford.
Reference price: $24.99
Price checked: 13 Nov 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Offers a broad historical argument linking covert operations to imperial power and US foreign policy.
- The described scope runs from the agency’s 1947 creation through the post-9/11 period.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Basic Books |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 9 September 2025 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 384 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1399816861 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1399816861 |
| Weight listed | 266 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 x 2.6 x 19.8 cm |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in CIA history, US foreign policy and covert intervention.
- Readers seeking an account that connects intelligence history with colonialism and postcolonial politics.
Less suited to
- Readers looking specifically for a neutral agency reference guide or a technical account of intelligence methods, which the supplied description does not establish.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
45% 45% - 4 stars
27% 27% - 3 stars
15% 15% - 2 stars
5% 5% - 1 star
8% 8%
Aggregate ratings are mixed rather than uniformly positive, with ratings spread across the five-star to one-star categories. Without customer comments, they do not show what readers praised or criticised, so they offer limited guidance on whether Wilford’s historical framing or scope will suit an individual reader.
Frequently asked questions
What is The CIA: An Imperial History about?
It describes how the CIA developed from a foreign intelligence analysis agency into an organisation involved in covert interventions and surveillance, interpreted through the history of empire.
Which periods does the book cover?
The supplied description discusses the CIA’s creation in 1947, its Cold War transformation and the post-9/11 global hunt for terrorists.
Who is the author?
The listing identifies Hugh Wilford as the intelligence historian behind the book.
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