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A Pretext For War: 9/11, Iraq, and the Abuse of America's Intelligence Agencies Audiobook
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(3.08) - 184 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In A Pretext for War, acclaimed author James Bamford–whose classic book The Puzzle Palace first revealed the existence of the National Security Agency–draws on his unparalleled access to top intelligence sources to produce a devastating expos? of the intelligence community and the Bush administration. A Pretext for War reveals the systematic weaknesses behind the failure to detect or prevent the 9/11 attacks, and details the Bush administration’s subsequent misuse of intelligence to sell preemptive war to the American people. Filled with unprecedented new revelations, from the sites of “undisclosed locations” to the actual sources of America’s Middle East policy, A Pretext for War is essential reading for anyone concerned about the security of the United States.
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"The first half of the book is OK, if a little too obsessed with Pentagon gadgetry. But the second half is A MUST READ for anyone who wants to understand where this Iraq quagmire came from. James Bamford doesn't pull any punches. And he has done his homework. Very convincing. "
— Aram (5 out of 5 stars)
A Pretext For War Listener Reviews
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" If you think you knew about the lead up to the Iraq War, this book gives you so much more information, I just couldn't believe it! So well-researched, well-written and well-read, I can not recommend this book more highly! "
— Nancy, 6/25/2023 -
" An interesting account of the Bush administration's gross negligence in committing the grave act of taking the nation into a "war of choice", twisting intelligence information at every step along the way to fabricate the rationale for what to date appears to have been a massive strategic blunder. "
— M, 11/14/2013 -
" good audio book...had learned a lot of this already in other books...still interesting. "
— Jose, 4/14/2013 -
" This book is an interesting look at the problems of our intelligence system, and why it has been such a problem lately. It is also full of conspiracy theories, and lot of unconnected dots that Bamford tries to pull together. Interesting, if nothing else. "
— Jordan, 12/19/2012 -
" This is the best book on pre-Iraq war Washington. Gives you the personalities and the currents of thought in a fast, exciting format. Sort of the anti-Woodward. "
— Alice, 11/9/2012 -
" Important for people to read. "
— Martha, 6/26/2012 -
" Intel expert Bamford (Body of Secrets)connects the evasive dots of the pliable CIA to alter and retrofit intelligence to justify Iraqi invasion under G W Bush "
— columbialion, 6/12/2012 -
" Pretext for War gives an overview of what the American military, intelligence, and White house were doing in the space between 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq. "
— Scott, 3/26/2012 -
" you think you know about the Iraq War, you have no idea. "
— Mike, 8/26/2011 -
" Worth reading for the inside look at the U.S. Intelligence Community, but sub-par foreign policy analysis... "
— Stephen, 10/10/2010 -
" The first half of the book is OK, if a little too obsessed with Pentagon gadgetry. But the second half is A MUST READ for anyone who wants to understand where this Iraq quagmire came from. James Bamford doesn't pull any punches. And he has done his homework. Very convincing. "
— Aram, 9/19/2010 -
" Should be required reading for all future presidents and their advisors "
— Susan, 8/15/2010 -
" Intel expert Bamford (Body of Secrets)connects the evasive dots of the pliable CIA to alter and retrofit intelligence to justify Iraqi invasion under G W Bush "
— columbialion, 1/16/2010 -
" Worth reading for the inside look at the U.S. Intelligence Community, but sub-par foreign policy analysis... "
— Stephen, 6/9/2009 -
" Should be required reading for all future presidents and their advisors "
— Susan, 5/30/2009 -
" This is the best book on pre-Iraq war Washington. Gives you the personalities and the currents of thought in a fast, exciting format. Sort of the anti-Woodward. "
— Alice, 2/3/2008 -
" This book is an interesting look at the problems of our intelligence system, and why it has been such a problem lately. It is also full of conspiracy theories, and lot of unconnected dots that Bamford tries to pull together. Interesting, if nothing else. "
— Jordan, 7/8/2007 -
" Pretext for War gives an overview of what the American military, intelligence, and White house were doing in the space between 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq. "
— Scott, 4/28/2007
About James Bamford
James Bamford is a bestselling author, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker for PBS, award-winning investigative producer for ABC News, and winner of the National Magazine Award for Reporting for his writing in Rolling Stone on the war in Iraq. He has written four bestselling nonfiction books about the spy world, Body of Secrets, The Puzzle Palace, A Pretext for War, and SpyFail, among other books. He has written on national security for the New York Times Magazine, the Washington Post Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times Magazine.
About Robertson Dean
Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.