TheVeryBestMenisthestoryoftheCIA’searlydaysastoldthroughthecareersoffourglamorous,daring,andidealisticmenwhorancovertoperationsforthegovernmentfromtheendofWorldWarIItoVietnam.EvanThomasre-createsthepersonaldramasandsometimestragiclivesofFrankWisner,RichardBissell,TracyBarnes,andDesmondFitzGerald,whoriskedeverythingtocontaintheSovietthreat.WithintheinnercirclesofWashington,theywereregardedasthebestandthebrightest.Theyplannedandactedtokeepthecountryoutofwar--bystealthand“politicalaction“andtodobycunningandsleightofhandwhatgreatarmiescouldnot,mustnotbeallowedtodo.Intheend,theyweretooidealisticandtoohonorable,andwereunsuitedforthedark,duplicitouslifeofspying.Theirhubrisandna簿vet矇ledthemastray,producingbothsensationalcoupsandspectacularblundersliketheBayofPigsandthefailedassassinationattemptsonforeignleadersintheearly1960s.ThomasdrawsontheCIA’sownsecrethistories,towhichhehashadexclusiveaccess,aswellasextensiveinterviews,tobringtolifeacrucialpieceofAmericanhistory.
