Breakdown: How America's Intelligence Failures Led to September 11 by Bill Gertz

From the Publisher

From sources inside the Pentagon and the CIA, Bill Gertz tracks the path of terrorists and terrorism in the United States. He uncovers information that could have prevented 9/11.

Washington Post

The hottest reporter in town...he breaks dozens of big stories every year, and he's read carefully by people who follow national security issues.

Publishers Weekly

From the bestselling author of a scathing indictment of Clintonian foreign policy, Betrayal, comes an unbalanced but revealing expose on the mistakes, misdirections and blunders behind "the most damaging intelligence failure since Pearl Harbor." Gertz supports his argument that the intelligence community has "lost sight of [its] purpose and function" with interviews, news clips and almost 100 pages of government documents, some partially classified (a National Security Agency report reproduced within contains little but the date and the designation "TOP SECRET UMBRA"-the rest is "withheld at the request of U.S. intelligence officials"). He points a very stern finger at the FBI, the NSA and the CIA, "where preservation of the agency's budget takes precedence over its performance." In one confounding case, Gertz writes, veteran CIA field agent Robert Baer was investigated and nearly prosecuted by the FBI for planning an assassination of Saddam Hussein; when the CIA discovered their jig was up, they left Baer out to dry. But while the insights into a government overrun by bureaucracy can be fascinating (and infuriating), Gertz seldom assigns any blame toward either George H.W. or George W. Bush's policies in the Middle East. He saves his condemnation, instead, for the Clinton administration (again). This one-sided portrayal may leave the critical reader feeling as if only half the story is being told, as Gertz's strong conservative bent distorts what could have been an important and well-informed look at the terrorist disaster. (Aug. 25) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

The defense and national security reporter for argues that US intelligence bureaucracies have lost sight of their mission to support defense and national security objectives, and are now devoted to their own security. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

What People Are Saying

Rush Limbaugh
What he's uncovered is shocking. He's done a great service for the people of this country.

Product Details

• Table of Contents
• Forewords & Introductions

Table of Contents

Forewords & Introductions