Preview
  • By All Means Available

  • Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy
  • By: Michael G. Vickers
  • Narrated by: Michael G. Vickers
  • Length: 20 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (84 ratings)

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By All Means Available

By: Michael G. Vickers
Narrated by: Michael G. Vickers
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Publisher's summary

A vivid insider's account of a life in intelligence, special operations, and strategy from the Cold War to the war with al-Qa’ida • "[An] illuminating and richly detailed memoir." —The New York Times Book Review

"Deeply insightful...A sweeping and breathtaking journey that gives the reader unprecedented access to the courage, sacrifice, and bravado of our nation’s finest warriors, in their finest hours." —Admiral William H. McRaven, author of
Wisdom of the Bullfrog and #1 New York Times bestseller, Make Your Bed

In 1984, Michael Vickers took charge of the CIA’s secret war against the Soviets in Afghanistan. After inheriting a strategy aimed at imposing costs on the Soviets for their invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, Vickers transformed the covert campaign into an all-out effort to help the Afghan resistance win their war. More than any other American, he was responsible for the outcome in Afghanistan that led to the end of the Cold War.

In By All Means Available, Vickers recounts his remarkable career, from his days as a Green Beret to his vision for victory in Afghanistan to his role in waging America’s war with al-Qa’ida at the highest levels of government. In captivating detail, he depicts his years in the Special Forces—including his training to parachute behind enemy lines with a backpack nuclear weapon in the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe—and reveals how those experiences directly influenced his approach to shaping policy. Vickers has played a significant role in most of the military and intelligence operations of the past four decades, and he offers a deeply informed analysis of the greatest challenges facing America today, and in the decades ahead.

Riveting and illuminating, this is a rare and important insider’s account of the modern military and intelligence worlds at every level.

©2023 Michael G. Vickers (P)2023 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

"[An] illuminating and richly detailed memoir . . . In America’s very long confrontation with stirred-up Islamists, Vickers became the nation’s pre-eminent silent warrior." —Andrew J. Bacevich, The New York Times Book Review

“Gripping reading, but also much more than that . . . Over a period of decades, Vickers formulated and executed policy toward almost every hotspot in the world. But this outstanding memoir is not merely an account of one official’s doings during his service. It is also a searching treatise on low-intensity warfare, counterterrorism, and covert action, along with a postmortem of key chapters of national-security policy, with judgments of American policymakers along the way . . . [By All Means Available] is about some things that, amid the deepening degradation of our political culture, have been lost: sacrifice, integrity, leadership, and patriotism.” –Gabriel Schoenfeld, Bulwark

"He was the CIA whiz kid in Charlie Wilson's War. His new book offers advice for the U.S. in Ukraine [and] reviews what the U.S. can learn from its past missteps and missed warnings in Afghanistan." —Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press

What listeners say about By All Means Available

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Must read for all Americans

This book is amazing and written by a patriot who understands the threats this nations is facing. Best book I have read in years! Thank you sir for your service and thank you for such an amazing book of history and prophecy.

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The Secret National Hero

This was an amazing recounting of some the clandestine undertakings of the last 43 years. Mr. Vickers is a true national hero, and a visionary in the defense and intelligence space, and his thoughts are absolutely worth deep consideration. As a reader, I find myself deeply inspired to contribute to our nations success. Well done Mr. Vickers.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

keep unknown politics out

You had a 5 star review from me until at the very end. you started knocking a president you never work for. No President is perfect. We are all humans. I think we all do the best we can with what we have. I realize with your background. You have enormous connections and informchin. Unfortunately , all of them you mention seem to be liberal.. Thank you for your service. It sounds astounding. I know those are empty words i. I'm a thirty year veteran myself and hear it all the time and words are empty. I did truly love hearing your story and what you did for this country. Thank you again.

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Glosses over some really important points

I have the background to have some insights on this book, so take it for what it’s worth. This man had an incredible career, no doubt. Two points….. He glosses over that in Afghanistan, the mujahideen evolved into the Taliban and instead of picking a fight with the Taliban to fight Al qaeda, we should have paid them off and worked with them again. We fought the wrong people. Also, while he doesn’t
totally agree with the invasion of Iraq, he doesn’t condemn it and I believe he’s not putting everything he knows on paper. The invasion of Iraq was one of the biggest mistakes in military history. It was a disaster. The chaos, death and destruction it caused will go on for decades. Most of the problems America has had in that region since 2003 can be traced to that war. He is spot on about Russia and China. We are in a new Cold War and he does an excellent job of laying out the logic for his thesis.

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Excellent Read

This guy managed to be involved in pretty much every disaster and triumph of the past 50 years. He offers very good insights and opinions, not all that are agréable.
He comments on leaders current and past.
There is a certain amount of well earned braggadocio. Enjoy

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Outstanding

A superb and captivating read. I have recommended this as required reading to friends and family.

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fantastic life story

This is a very good life story and how one individual can make such a difference. Definitely worth listening to.

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Amazing memoirs of an amazing American!

Loved it, all of it! Thank you Mike Vickers for your service as a Special Forces soldier, an intelligence community civilian, and as a senior executive in government. Thoroughly loved the audio book and have been recommending it to all at every turn. Having grown up during the latter parts of the Cold War, I found his recollections and context about those times fascinating and intriguing. Working in the DIB and in spaces in and around some of the post-9/11 topics he covered, I am truly grateful he was where he was, doing what he was doing, and that he took the time to collect, organize, and share his experiences and reflections. In the last sections of the book, I appreciate his wisdom and insights on what the United States needs to do moving forward, especially when considering the sheer magnitude of experience and varied perspectives that he has to draw from. Truly enjoyed the listen! Highly recommend this book.

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Very good

What an interesting life he shared with us. I’m so glad I read this book.

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Amazing career - ended with Clapper/Brennan disgrace

A long and detailed book regarding mike’s impressive career. Sadly, he is in direct conflict with the people on the ground in Benghazi. There was no protest- only pre strike reconnaissance. He provided cover for Hillary who lied to the American people.
Also, he was a signatory to the infamous Russian disinformation letter that provided cover for Biden just before the debate with Trump.
Too bad he ended his career associating himself with criminal liars Brennan and Clapper. It seems like he is proud of it.
Time to drain the swamp.

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4 people found this helpful