A Look Over My Shoulder: A Life in the Central Intelligence Agency

Helms seems to be very detailed in his history of CIA from WW2, Truman administration thru Nixon/Ford administrations. Of course, as most reviewers note, how much is believable depends on readers preconceived opinions. Some of the book drags because he describes so many different personalities in the CIA and the world that he had to deal with, along with so much red tape. This book has SO much more information that was ignored by Allen Dulles' book (published in the mid '60's).I like how he didn't shy away from explaining U2 flights as much as he could, addressing Cuba/Castro interactions, Vietnam, and JFK assassination. One of the reasons I find that Helms is believable is that he admits that Vietnam history was unknown or ignored by everybody, Vietnam was not like Korea-they had been fighting for independence for 2000 years. Hindsight told him that Vietnam would NEVER had surrendered. I do find his support for J. Edgar Hoover disturbing, even maintaining that Hoover wasn't homosexual (homosexuality was Hoover's least important flaw). In Helms' defense, he probably didn't have to deal with Hoover much since CIA is responsible for everything outside of FBI's jurisdiction.I believe his main purpose in writing this book is to absolutely stress how the CIA is a tool of the administration; President and at least some in Congress are aware and dictate everything that CIA attempts to do. There has been too much discussion on how the CIA does everything secretly on their own without any rules - he's trying to set the record straight in that the Agency has always followed the orders of the current administration.I think that he is convincing with his details, some failures and some successes during his tenure. Others will have other opinions on this book- such is the case with an organization that has to protect this country from enemies that don't worry about 'transparency'. Too many people here don't want secrets kept from public, I say that that is the very definition of insanity, treating our patriots that risk their lives worse than the enemies that want to destroy this country.

Former Director Richard Helms provides an insightful and personal look at his time in the CIA. Not only does he cover a great deal of history, he also gives an insider’s look at the frustrations and stresses placed on the people who work in the intelligence profession. The book is well written and easy to follow.He begins the book by describing his intelligence activities in World War II. This includes his work with Allen Dulles, one of the Agency’s early founders. He enhances the narrative with anecdotal stories, such as when Allen Dulles almost met Vladimir Lenin, before he returned to Moscow and started the Bolshevik revolution. Mr. Helms also describes his work with Presidents Johnson and Kennedy as they dealt with Vietnam, the Russians, and Fidel Castro. Equally fascinating was his work with President Nixon up through the Watergate scandal.One fascinating aspect of this memoir was Mr. Helms’ description of how political agendas seemed to trump national security. He is very candid in describing his encounters with the Church and Pike committees. The political agendas of these politicians placed him in a position where he was forced to admit to a crime so as to avoid financial ruin. Mr. Helms is able to tell his story and illustrate how national security and politics are not always black and white. Mr. Helms was later awarded the National Security Medal by President Regan which definitely went a long way in correcting this injustice.Although the narrative moves quickly, it’s still a long book at 452 pages. Mr. Helm’s includes numerous photos which help bring the narrative to life. All in all, a fascinating and personal look at the CIA during the Cold War.

I enjoyed this read from a man who admitted he never thought he'd write a memoir. Helms was a gentleman spy, a man who never violated the code, even getting himself charged with perjury for not revealing certain things during the Congressional hearings of the 1970s. Helms speaks knowledgeably and practically about the capabilities and limitations of intelligence and the fact that the intelligence picture is seldom clear. He does not go deeply into detail into incidents that have been covered in depth elsewhere nor does he go any further than information that is already in the public domain. Helms was always opposed to covert operations, he felt they were noisy, messy and full of risk for indeterminate gain. He always felt the agency should have stuck to its original charter to gather intelligence and function as a think tank for policy makers. Thus it was ironic that he came up through the agency during the heyday of cowboy covert operations.The book is most useful for its insights into the realities of intelligence operations as well as the insights into politicians and policymakers during the Cold War and Vietnam War.

Helms provides an amazing perspective from behind closed doors. His take on CIA activities is refreshing and important. It definitely changed my perspective on the very important and noble role the CIA played during many crucial events throughout Helm's tenure.People who criticize the CIA (and America) from afar would do themselves a service reading books like these.

The book is splendidly written -- very accessible, very good flow. Well-crafted all-around. It's a highly interesting account of not only an interesting career but it's a good chronology of the early days of OSS through the establishment of the CIA. This isn't a handbook on operational or analytic techniques, but it is a wonderful memoir giving in-depth glimpse into major operations and important personalities of the intelligence agency through Helms' long career. Relationships are a big theme, and Helms does not shy away from dispensing professional advice for would-be DCIs.Greatly enjoyable.

Learned about Helms but more about the history of the Agency and the role of IC in the last great war and the many conflicts since.Required reading.

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Richard Helms ha sido el mejor director de la agencia desde su creación.