The Determined Spy: The Turbulent Life and Times of CIA Pioneer Frank Wisner

From Douglas Waller, New York Times bestselling author of Wild Bill Donovan, an intimate and expertly researched biography of littleknown early CIA leader Frank Wisner, whose behindthescenes influence on Cold War policyand hundreds of highly secret antiSoviet missionsresonates with the international crises we see today.Frank Wisner was one of the most powerful men in 1950s Washington, though few knew it. Reporting directly to senior U.S. officialshis work largely hidden from Congress and the public Wisner masterminded some of the CIAs most daring and controversial operations in the early years of the Cold War, commanding thousands of clandestine agents around the world.Following an early career marked by exciting escapades as a key World War II spy under General William Wild Bill Donovan, Wisner quickly rose through the postwar intelligence ranks to lead a newly created topsecret unit taskedunder little oversightwith overseeing massive propaganda, economic warfare, sabotage, subversion, and guerrilla operations all over the world, including such daring initiatives as the CIAbacked coups in Iran and Guatemala.But simultaneously, Wisner faced a demon few at the time understood: bipolar disorder. When this debilitating disease resulted in his breakdown and transfer to a mental hospital, the repercussions were felt throughout Washingtons highest levels of power.Wallers sensitive and exhaustively researched biography is the riveting story of both Frank Wisner as a national figure who inspired a cadre of future CIA secret warriors, and also an intimate and empathetic portrait of a man whose harrowing struggle with bipolar disorder makes his impressive accomplishments on the world stage even more remarkable.