At the Center of the Storm: My Years at the CIA
by George Tenet
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 152)
Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
Politicos/Non-Politicos
I like George Tenet. He has a tough-guy New York accent and there's a picture of him in the book with a leather jacket on looking like he's really giving it to Andrew Card. Personally, I have no special strong feelings for George Bush, either way. But, when it comes down to finger-pointing (which, yes it has for a while now), Tenet wasn't a Bush Man---Clinton appointed him--and I think, in a lot of ways, that gives him a lot of credibility as far as believing what he has to say in this book. He ...more
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Read in July, 2007
An enjoyable book with some valuable insight into the workings of the administration from a high ranking official. Naturally, the book focuses intensely on the CIA's doings before and after 9/11 and the Iraq War. As should be expected, the agency comes off as an fiercely independent, highly analytical and utterly indispensible service to the American people. And, surprisingly enough, Tenet is pretty convincing. The operations and officers of the agency came off as serious – these guys really w...more
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Read in April, 2008
I wanted to give it 3 and 1/2 stars, but goodreads wouldn't let me.
Well written and readable. The beginning is slow--when he describes his relationship with his father and some other fluff I mainly skimmed over. Also, the info about the disorganization of the CIA--not riveting. Useful to know I suppose, but not meaty, and not why anyone is reading his book.
Once he moves on to 9/11, terrorism, and Iraq war the book gets interesting. It's a terrific read for gaining insight into the way t...more
Well written and readable. The beginning is slow--when he describes his relationship with his father and some other fluff I mainly skimmed over. Also, the info about the disorganization of the CIA--not riveting. Useful to know I suppose, but not meaty, and not why anyone is reading his book.
Once he moves on to 9/11, terrorism, and Iraq war the book gets interesting. It's a terrific read for gaining insight into the way t...more
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Read in June, 2007
What you get out of of this book will be largely determined by the attitude with which you come into it. Partisans looking either to indict Tenet's CIA for its failures or to find support for the Bush Administration's actions will be sorely disappointed. Throughout the book, Tenet is careful to cast himself as a public servant at CIA and not a central political figure, leading many partisans to characterize the book as little more than "covering his own a--".
However, those lookin...more
However, those lookin...more
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Read in December, 2007
I thought this book was interesting but not fascinating. I expected a lot more. I always thought that George Tenet would be an engaging personality but it doesn't come through in this book at all. It's not a biography but more of a book about his CIA career. I still thought it would be more about him and his thinking instead it's more about events. Yes, he does play cover his butt in it but what do you expect? I wanted more insight on how he changed the CIA, his interactions with Congress and th...more
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
Anyone
After 9/11 the American government has been under so much scrutiny. Finger pointing seems to be the pick of the day. Well in At the Center of the Storm George Tenent lays out in detail how the war on Iraq started and who is to blame. The book has so much details and facts that it should be studied not read. It was no surprise as to how the country was hoodwinked into thinking this was a war on terrorism but to see the time line of events is fascinating. Kudos to George Tenet for saying and ...more
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Read in August, 2007
This book was extremely well-written, which surprised me. All through the book Tenet portrays himself as one who is trying to even-handedly review his own performance, but there is not much indictment of the CIA pre-9/11, not surprisingly. I found myself wanting to believe the book, but with the recent release of the CIA's own audit, that is difficult. In any event, it's an easy read and is a very interesting portrait of the competing demands for a civil servant's time and attention.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
people seeking 9/11 info and war nuts
This is probably one of the best sources for understanding the events leading up to 911 and the events following (at least from the perspective of George Tenet). You certainly want to correlate it with other findings, but it helps bring to light some of the questions we have been asking ourselves for so long.
It gets a little boring, and since I was doing the audio book version, made it dangerous to drive. I stopped and probably won't finish it.
It gets a little boring, and since I was doing the audio book version, made it dangerous to drive. I stopped and probably won't finish it.
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Read in April, 2008
It was so interesting to learn about this DCI's (Director of Central Intelligence)experiences from 1997 through 2004 ranging from dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, 9/11, and Iraq. It made me feel more appreciative of what sacrifices the CIA makes for us and also sympathy for their struggles with the Clinton and Bush governments (he tries to always give credit where it's due to them too).
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Read in June, 2008
Very interesting read. I always enjoy getting the inside scoop from a primary source- but it's very difficult for me to be taken in, hook, line, and sinker, by anything written from the former DCI. I mean, c'mon, this man was the top spy for the most powerful country on earth and he can't tell you everything. Although, that's a book I would definitely read.
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Read in December, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone interested in why/how the decision to go to Iraq was perceived from the CIA's perspective.
Excellent book, reads like a spy thriller even though it's non-fiction. It gives some interesting insights into the thought process behind the CIA's decisions/choices, in particular the decision to go to war in Iraq. It also lays bare the intentions of some of the key players in the White House and their handling of the Iraq decision.
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Read in May, 2007
I find this book rather fascinating as an insider's look at important international events. While reading it, however, I wonder what I can believe. After all, the book is written by a former Director of the CIA. I do think that it is worth hearing what the man in the center of the storm has to say about it all.
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Read in November, 2007
This book was one of my first real glimpses into the inner-workings of the CIA, and for that reason, was quite fascinating to me. I felt that Tenet gave quite a balanced and objective view of both the Clinton and Bush administrations...that included interesting insights on both. Worth the read!
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Read in May, 2007
I found this fascinating but I do wish he would have just admitted that he did make a mistake and that he should have resigned earlier. I keep waiting for him to do this in the book. Do I believe what he wrote, well maybe, maybe not.
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neither particularly well written nor balanced, but nonetheless interesting. provides a good counterpoint for Woodward's "Bush At War" series, which in the end will have the final word on Tenet's tenure at CIA.
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
Everybody
I am still in the process of reading it so expect further details... But from what I read, he does a judicious job analyzing his role and the environment around him in the years before and after 9/11...
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Read in February, 2008
Didnt finish it ... due back at the library. but what I read was very interesting. However he is much too nice about everyone. "I liked the palstinians, but i Liked the isralis too.. ect"
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Read in January, 2007
interesting espcially when read on this side of the pond based on our interpretation of the US coverage/UK coverage
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in October, 2007
It was interesting to get Tenet's point of veiw on what happened during his 7 years as CIA cheif.
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recommends it for:
cia and government buffs
pretty well written, probably ghost written actually.
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