The Devil's Chessboard Audiobook By David Talbot cover art

The Devil's Chessboard

Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Devil's Chessboard

By: David Talbot
Narrated by: Peter Altschuler
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $44.09

Buy for $44.09

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

An explosive, headline-making portrait of Allen Dulles, the man who transformed the CIA into the most powerful - and secretive - colossus in Washington, from the founder of Salon.com and author of the New York Times best seller Brothers.

America's greatest untold story: the United States' rise to world dominance under the guile of Allen Welsh Dulles, the longest-serving director of the CIA. Drawing on revelatory new materials - including newly discovered US government documents, US and European intelligence sources, the personal correspondence and journals of Allen Dulles' wife and mistress, and exclusive interviews with the children of prominent CIA officials - Talbot reveals the underside of one of America's most powerful and influential figures.

Dulles' decade as the director of the CIA - which he used to further his public and private agendas - were dark times in American politics. Calling himself "the secretary of state of unfriendly countries", Dulles saw himself as above the elected law, manipulating and subverting American presidents in the pursuit of his personal interests and those of the wealthy elite he counted as his friends and clients - colluding with Nazi-controlled cartels, German war criminals, and Mafiosi in the process. Targeting foreign leaders for assassination and overthrowing nationalist governments not in line with his political aims, Dulles employed those same tactics to further his goals at home, Talbot charges, offering shocking new evidence in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

An exposé of American power that is as disturbing as it is timely, The Devil's Chessboard is a provocative and gripping story of the rise of the national security state - and the battle for America's soul.

©2015 David Talbot (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers
Intelligence & Espionage Political Science Politicians United States Espionage Scary Imperialism War Military Electric Universe
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Devil's Chessboard

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,762
  • 4 Stars
    334
  • 3 Stars
    89
  • 2 Stars
    39
  • 1 Stars
    49
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,442
  • 4 Stars
    342
  • 3 Stars
    137
  • 2 Stars
    32
  • 1 Stars
    41
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,611
  • 4 Stars
    243
  • 3 Stars
    68
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    46

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Everyone should read!

A brilliant account of how and why our nation and world is the way it is now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Extensive

This book is really good it covers many events that are not generally taught in America I would be interested to have a little more Puerto Rican history as it pertained to the subject but understand this subject can be a never ending rabbit hole and the author has to draw a line some where. If you are a JFK enthusiasts you will love the end of this book, really well sourced.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

the JFK info is great

it's a little hard to listen to to hear all the things the CIA has done sometimes ignorance is sweet

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Understanding the deep state

This is the best book that I’ve found which goes into enough detail to understand these deep state actors.
The only conclusion is to shut down the CIA!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning!

This book is an absolutely gripping read - especial for students of US history. It takes a close and important look at the Dulles brothers and adds to understanding what has happened to CIA

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating

I loved this book. It was a thoroughly researched book with interesting theories and parallels pertaining to our government and the way it functions. The time line was easy to follow and all avenues were well explored.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must read for all Americans

Democrat or Republican or independent everyone with a stake in America’s future should devour this book as a well written and researched work showing The path we have taken to get where we are and anIndicator of where we are headedUnless some very dramatic changes occur at all levels of government.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

read this

this book had me not wanting to put it downhigjly recommend everuone ahould read this .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Informative

It's so hard to know if every little detail is true but this was very informative on a bit of American History that no one talks about.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Get the rest of the story

After listening to this, you will find your perception of the United States and its spy agencies, the F PI, in the CIA, perhaps changed to see them as the dark and dangerous organizations that they have become.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!