{"product_id":"the-quiet-americans","title":"The Quiet Americans","description":"\u003cb\u003e\"Enthralling. . . . Lying and stealing and invading, it should be said, make for captivating reading, especially in the hands of a storyteller as skilled as Anderson.\" --\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA \u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR \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 the agents who sought to uphold American ideals abroad, 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. Told with narrative brio, deep research, and a skeptical eye, \u003ci\u003eThe Quiet Americans\u003c\/i\u003e is the gripping story of how the United States, at the very pinnacle of its power, managed to permanently damage its moral standing in the world.","brand":"Doubleday Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50749680517352,"sku":"9780385540452","price":33.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/9539\/3512\/files\/imageloader_bcf05bd8-1b02-4531-bfb1-e05dc57c673d.jpg?v=1790216380","url":"https:\/\/shop.kuumba.app\/products\/the-quiet-americans","provider":"Kuumba","version":"1.0","type":"link"}