Ideal Man : The Tragedy of Jim Thompson and the American Way of War

English

ISBN: 0470086211

EAN: 9780470086216

Category: History / Modern / 20Th Century/True Crime / Espionage/Literary Criticism / Mystery & Detective/Political Science / International Relations / General/History / Asia / Southeast Asia/

Publisher: Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, John

Release Date: 10/31/2011

Synopsis: Written with a clear nod to spy thrillers and Graham Greenes novels, New Republic Special Correspondent Joshua Kurlantzick unravels the fascinating story behind the unsolved murder of the CIAs top agent at the height of the Cold War. He spins out the whole early history of the CIA, Americas long battle to control the course of world history, and the developing worlds strong distrust of American intervention. Jim Thompson arrived in Asia after WWII as one of many eager young Ivy Leaguers ready to remake the world under Bill Donovans leadership at the OSS, the forerunner to the CIA. From his post in Thailand, Thompson came to be the top CIA agent in the region, advising the Unites States government on crucial developments in Korea, Vietnam, and China. At the same time, he became a rich silk trader. Eventually, tired of a country that only saw what it wanted to see, he became a harsh public critic of US foreign policy. Eventually, without warning, he disappeared into the jungle, leaving no clues behind as to why. The CIA? The unfriendly local regime? Business associates? Washington tended to think of countries as pieces in a chess game (and still does), and when Thompson tried to explain to his handlers that it was all far more complicated than that, they stopped listening. From our habit of partnering with friendly dictators to our habit of letting ideology cloud or foreign policy, this books major themes have clear resonance for today.

Ideal Man : The Tragedy of Jim Thompson and the American Way of War

Illustrated: No

Format: Hardcover

Height: 0.91 inches

Width: 6.63 inches

Length: 10.12 inches

Weight: 17.0 oz

Pages: 272