Skip to content

Beyond Repair: The Decline and Fall of the CIA
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair: The Decline and Fall of the CIA Hardcover - 2009 - 1st Edition

by Charles Faddis

In the face of terrorist threats that are multiplying and becoming increasingly complex, the co-author of "Operation Hotel California" tells why America needs a more effective CIA and how to go about building one.


From the publisher

An insider's account of why the CIA is ill-prepared to protect America, and why it must be replaced without delay * Once upon a time, the CIA took the risks necessary to protect America. "If you fall," went its mantra, "fall forward." In Beyond Repair, one of the agency's most respected former operatives mounts a scathing cri--tique of the preparedness of today's CIA--and, spe--cifically, the Directorate of Operations at its core--to defend America against the dizzying dangers of the twenty-first century. In a compelling blend of analy--sis and fascinating true-life stories, Charles S. Faddis argues that the CIA has devolved into a low-risk or, often, no-risk bureaucracy of careerists whose mantra might be summed up thus: "Don't fall." "Every senior officer I know in the CIA carries personal liability insurance," writes Faddis, "because of the fear of being sued for actions taken in the line of duty." And, he notes, no operatives who commanded CIA teams in Afghanistan have been promoted to key positions. Why? Because they operate within a system that is no longer built to encourage and reward the risk-taking and creativity they excelled at. Faddis discusses the birth of the CIA, how the agency works from the inside out, why things have gone awry--and how to go about building a new entity that will maintain the midnight watch, so Americans can sleep well at night.

From the rear cover

An insider's account of why the CIA is ill prepared to protect America, and why it must be replaced without delay Praise for Beyond Repair If you want to know what's wrong with today's CIA--and how to fix it--this book is the place to start. Faddis . . . describes the timidity of station chiefs terrified of getting blamed for mistakes, the obduracy of ambassadors who don't want flaps, the 'we're all winners here' training rules better suited for a kindergarten playground than intelligence work, the reluctance to hire and promote people who understand leadership. You read Beyond Repair and you realize: No wonder the CIA is screwed up ! . . . If people would read this book and understand its message, it could save lives. --David Ignatius, Washington Post columnist and author of Body of Lies Drawing on his unique experience as a CIA operations officer, Charles Faddis makes a compelling case in Beyond Repair that the CIA must return to its Office of Strategic Services (OSS) roots to provide the United States with the intelligence it needs. Faddis has a deep appreciation for the OSS and great admiration for its legendary leader, General William J. Donovan, who frequently told OSS personnel that they could not succeed without taking chances. Faddis has taken such chances himself. General Donovan could have written this book. I know he would have read it and agreed wholeheartedly with its conclusion. --Charles Pinck, President of The OSS Society

From the jacket flap

Once upon a time, the CIA took the risks necessary to protect America. "If you fall," went its mantra, "fall forward." In Beyond Repair, one of the agency's most respected former operatives mounts a scathing cri--tique of the preparedness of today's CIA--and, spe--cifically, the Directorate of Operations at its core--to defend America against the dizzying dangers of the twenty-first century. In a compelling blend of analy--sis and fascinating true-life stories, Charles S. Faddis argues that the CIA has devolved into a low-risk or, often, no-risk bureaucracy of careerists whose mantra might be summed up thus: "Don't fall." "Every senior officer I know in the CIA carries personal liability insurance," writes Faddis, "because of the fear of being sued for actions taken in the line of duty." And, he notes, no operatives who commanded CIA teams in Afghanistan have been promoted to key positions. Why? Because they operate within a system that is no longer built to encourage and reward the risk taking and creativity they excelled at. Faddis discusses the birth of the CIA--then called the Office of Strategic Services--during World War II under "Wild Bill" Donovan, the twentieth-century American father of spy craft. Donovan's daring would not get him far in today's CIA, Faddis observes. Describing how the twenty-first-century CIA works from the inside out, he paints an unsettling picture of an agency that has truly gone awry--recalling, for example, his own experience in a Middle Eastern country as a chief of station without a qualified Arabic linguist on hand. Faddis concludes by setting forth the main points of a plan for building a new entity. He proposes that this agency draw on the best qualities of the OSS (and readopt its name) while adapting to twenty-first-century needs, and that it be staffed by many of the CIA's finest men and women. This new agency would maintain the midnight watch, so Americans can sleep well at night.

Details

  • Title Beyond Repair: The Decline and Fall of the CIA
  • Author Charles Faddis
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 192
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Lyons Press, Guilford, CT
  • Date 2009-10
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Glossary, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9781599218519 / 1599218518
  • Weight 1.03 lbs (0.47 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6.34 x 0.86 in (23.62 x 16.10 x 2.18 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 20th Century
    • Chronological Period: 21st Century
  • Library of Congress subjects United States - History, Intelligence service - United States -
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2009029670
  • Dewey Decimal Code 327.127

Media reviews

Citations

  • Library Journal, 10/01/2009, Page 92
  • Publishers Weekly, 09/21/2009, Page 51
  • Reference and Research Bk News, 02/01/2010, Page 170

About the author

Charles S. Faddis served twenty years in the Central Intelligence Agency as an operations officer, holding positions as a department chief at the CIA's Counterterrorism Center in Washington, D.C., and as a chief of station in the Middle East. He is the coauthor of Operation Hotel California (Lyons Press), which recounts how he led the first CIA mission into Iraq in 2002 in preparation for the pending invasion.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Beyond Repair: The Decline And Fall Of The Cia
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair: The Decline And Fall Of The Cia

by Faddis, Charles

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
UsedVeryGood
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781599218519
ISBN 10
1599218518
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Springfield, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$17.97
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Lyons Press, 2009-10-08. hardcover. UsedVeryGood. 6x0x9. Very Good condition.Crisp pages. Clean cover and pages. Book shows minimal shelf wear. No highlighting/marking. Not Satisfied? Contact us to get a refund.
Item Price
NZ$17.97
FREE shipping to USA
Beyond Repair: The Decline And Fall Of The Cia
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair: The Decline And Fall Of The Cia

by Faddis, Charles

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Like New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781599218519
ISBN 10
1599218518
Quantity Available
800
Seller
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$23.92
NZ$6.71 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Lyons Press, 2009-10-08. Hardcover. Like New. 0x0x0.
Item Price
NZ$23.92
NZ$6.71 shipping to USA
Beyond Repair: The Decline And Fall Of The Cia
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair: The Decline And Fall Of The Cia

by Faddis, Charles

  • Used
  • very good
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
1
ISBN 13
9781599218519
ISBN 10
1599218518
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$25.40
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Lyons Press. 1. Very Good. Very Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
NZ$25.40
FREE shipping to USA
Beyond Repair: The Decline and Fall of the CIA
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair: The Decline and Fall of the CIA

by Charles S. Faddis

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781599218519
ISBN 10
1599218518
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$26.46
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Lyons Press, 2009-10-08. Hardcover. Good.
Item Price
NZ$26.46
FREE shipping to USA
Beyond Repair: The Decline And Fall Of The Cia
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair: The Decline And Fall Of The Cia

by Faddis, Charles

  • New
  • Hardcover
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781599218519
ISBN 10
1599218518
Quantity Available
800
Seller
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$31.09
NZ$6.71 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Lyons Press, 2009-10-08. Hardcover. New.
Item Price
NZ$31.09
NZ$6.71 shipping to USA
Beyond Repair : The Decline and Fall of the CIA
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair : The Decline and Fall of the CIA

by Faddis, Charles

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9781599218519
ISBN 10
1599218518
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$31.66
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
NZ$31.66
FREE shipping to USA
Beyond Repair : The Decline and Fall of the CIA
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair : The Decline and Fall of the CIA

by Faddis, Charles

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9781599218519
ISBN 10
1599218518
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$31.66
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$31.66
FREE shipping to USA
Beyond Repair: The Decline and Fall of the CIA
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Repair: The Decline and Fall of the CIA

by Charles S. Faddis

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used:Good
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781599218519
ISBN 10
1599218518
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$47.44
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Lyons Press, 2009-10-08. 1. Hardcover. Used:Good.
Item Price
NZ$47.44
FREE shipping to USA