The Ghost Critical Book Analysis Jefferson Morley’s The Ghost takes the reader through the intriguing upbringing and career of James Jesus Angleton. A CIA spymaster is a CIA spy. Morley has spent years of his life dedicated to investigative journalism and the CIA. We see these research skills throughout the book when shown behind the scenes of the CIA. I chose this book initially because the work of organizations such as the FBI and CIA, which I had primarily seen on TV, interested me. Morley’s The Ghost travels through James Angleton’s life as he rises to become one of the most powerful government officials in the CIA during the twentieth century. We read along to divulge deeper on what genuinely took place on the inside of government during this
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I believe Morley did an excellent job highlighting the power and fear that runs through the government. The book showcases many instances where the outcome could have been different if not fueled by power or fear. Of course, secrets come with power and fear. It was so shocking to learn what the government was planning during this time and hiding what the rest of the world was doing. After reading this book, I do not think Morley was biased while writing. A quote to show this is, “Angleton, he noted, established and codified practices for clearing agents and for reporting on operations that would soon become standard procedure and would remain so for decades.” This quote shows that Angleton was an intelligent man who changed the CIA for the better. His brilliant ideas are noted throughout the book and are enjoyable to read. Another quote from the book is, “Angleton’s third mole hunt in 1963 targeted the CIA’s station in Mexico City, and it involved the defector Lee Oswald. It, too, ended badly.” Morley writes about Angleton’s successes and failures. He was a very smart and powerful person, but no one was
I believe Morley did an excellent job highlighting the power and fear that runs through the government. The book showcases many instances where the outcome could have been different if not fueled by power or fear. Of course, secrets come with power and fear. It was so shocking to learn what the government was planning during this time and hiding what the rest of the world was doing. After reading this book, I do not think Morley was biased while writing. A quote to show this is, “Angleton, he noted, established and codified practices for clearing agents and for reporting on operations that would soon become standard procedure and would remain so for decades.” This quote shows that Angleton was an intelligent man who changed the CIA for the better. His brilliant ideas are noted throughout the book and are enjoyable to read. Another quote from the book is, “Angleton’s third mole hunt in 1963 targeted the CIA’s station in Mexico City, and it involved the defector Lee Oswald. It, too, ended badly.” Morley writes about Angleton’s successes and failures. He was a very smart and powerful person, but no one was