As I began researching the modern intelligence community, several books (e.g. "The Night Watch" by David Atlee Philips) pointed back to "The Craft of Intelligence" as a fundamental starting point. Because this book deals with the basic intelligence methods and objectives, it maintains its relevance well into the present. In some sections Dulles also addresses the ethical implications of deceptive or clandestine intelligence collection, providing valuable thought or discussion material for individuals scrutinizing this unique, and arguably disdainful, function of government. Dulles' writing style is thoughtful, refined, yet straightforward, revealing some of those traits which earned him the moniker "The Gentleman Spy".

This is the other required reading. This gem sits on my desk with my dictionary of difficult words and my synonym dictionary. We still do not have an equal to this book. Since Dulles testified to Congress that 80% of the raw material for finished intelligence came from public sources including diplomatic reporting, this book provides an interesting benchmark for understanding the rather pathological impact of technical collection on the larger process of all-source collection and analysis.

End 1942 Allen Dulles gets in Switzerland, sent by OSS to set up an office in Berne. Soon after, the invasion of North africa by allies provoqued the invasion of southern France by german troops, and Allen Dulles was isolated in Switzerland, free to accomplish his mission. He began to open talks with german intelligence services - wich ended by building the famous Gehlen org. There is very little doubt that these talks were usefull to save the nazi organisation as well as nazi gold in Switzerland after war. Allen Dulles had no difficulties to get friendly with the nazis, being himself a nazi since before the war, serving german interests as a lawyer in Wall Street, with his brother Foster. What realy were saying Dulles reports to his superiors in the US is clearly interesting to understand at what degree he was building up his own policy or executing the policy of the american government. It is obvious that such documents may appear after being censored. But in any case, they are necessary to get the complete picture of that very important moment of modern history : when the nazis, in fact, won the war.

This is a book that had to be written and needs to be read by those who seek to understand Allen Dulles in greater depth. The author does break new ground and add valuable new detail to the history of Allen Dulles, and his hard work in bringing us this book merits appreciation. Having said that, I confess to three disappointments: 1) the use of years to demarcate the chapters, rather than meaningful titles, is both boring and representative of the book's lack of presentational "zing"; 2) the book obsesses on Allen Dulles as the center of the earth and leaves out the context within which Dulles achieved his successes-casual references to how he operated two additional French networks, for example, without covering the arduous and detailed path that led to the creation and maintenance of those networks, leave one feeling as if Dulles simply waved a magic wand to create networks whole-bodied and in full force; and 3) the conclusion of the book, purportedly a review of what Allen Dulles would see and feel if he examined today's intelligence community, is generally on target but rather terse-nothing that one could take to an incoming President to energize him into revitalizing and enhancing our national intelligence community. There are some gems in this book that reflect the author's dedication and merit notice: Richard Helms reflecting on how America came much too close to losing World War II; Walt Rostow on calming the Kennedy's and preventing a rash counter-attack once the Bay of Pigs was known to be a disaster-this is the stuff of history, and I therefore heartily recommend this book as a valuable contribution to our understanding of Allen Dulles' place in history.

This is a phenomenal book about both Allen Dulles and the intelligence world. If you have any interest at all in the subject, then put your pennies on the counter for a great read. Clearly Srodes has an inside track with the intel community and the reader benefits.

This is a wonderful biography -- lots of drama and dirt, spycraft and sleaziness. Srodes paints a vivid picture of Dulles -- he gets into the pores of the man as well as the young CIA. A great read.

What a great book! If you are a history buff like me, you'll love this book. Allen Dulles, former lawyer, former diplomat, former OSS Operative, former President of the Council on Foreign Relations, for Director of the CIA (under Eisenhower and Kennedy), and brother of the Secretary of State (John Foster Dulles who the airport is named after), and member of the establishment -- this book is quite a treat. It takes us through the post-WWI years and then through WWII where Dulles was stationed for OSS in Bern. It then details the formation and escalation of the Cold War. Grosse does a terrific job detailing Dulles's public and personal lives. Highly recommended.

I just finished this book and it was an excellent read. The life of Allen Dulles is remarkable and deserves to be known. If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, then this is a required book.

"Gentleman Spy" is more than just the life of one man, Allen Dulles. It's the development of the United States into a super power and of the build-up of a massive intelligence network. At the center or sometimes fringes of all this dwelled Allen Dulles. Dulles' influence on intelligence gathering and covert activities still dominates our country, even though he left the CIA over 35 years ago. His love for the great game of espionage inspired young disciples who in turn became key leaders of the intelligence community. It's easy to praise or blame Dulles for many of the problems that we are still experiencing today due to lack of honest or accurate analysis, or involvment in the affairs of duely elected foreign governments. Peter Grose has mapped Dulles life in this massive biography and has done an excellent job of exploring Dulles' mind as to why he did what he did. The book is never boring. Dulles set the image of the "American Gentleman Spy," as being witty urbane and downright ruthless. Peter Grose has provent hat Dulles blended himself into that image seamlessly.

As an important American figure on the outside of Germany working in Switzerland, Dulles might have given us information not found elsewhere. Instead, he merely provides sketches of the important conspirators, gives some background, explains their part in the plot to kill Hitler or coax the West to support an overthrow of the Nazis, and explains that the conspirators either escaped the ensuing manhunts after July 20, 1944, or that they were tortured and executed. He provides a short description of how the Church was reduced to passive resistance, how the Germans might have chosen the East for salvation rather than the West, and how even Himmler and Goring aspired to step into the Fuhrer's shoes. The book is a mere skeleton of information found in greater detail in other books, especially Hans Gisevius "To the Bitter End." If you need your books brief and to read like outlines, this will serve. If you would prefer to read something like an insider's account, try Gisevius.