This is a biography of James Angleton (1917-1987), one of the most influential and controversial figures ever to work at the Central Intelligence Agency. The author describes Angleton's role as the chief of counter-intelligence and his failure to catch Soviet mole Kim Philby. He also discusses Angleton's role in: the US intervention in the Italian elections of 1948, Israel's development of the nuclear bomb, management of the investigation into the assassination of President John Kennedy, the CIA's infiltration and disruption of the anti-Vietnam War movement and other activities. He judges Angleton to have been educated to believe that protecting the interests of his class was identical to patriotism and that theses ends justified any means, concluding that the activities of Angleton and his ilk "came close to destroying the Republic." Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)