Surprise, Kill, Vanish: The Secret History of CIA Paramilitary Armies, Operators, and Assassins

There are hundreds of books on America's secret armies, CIA hit men and clandestine operations but never one with a focus quite like this. "Surprise, Kill, Vanish" is journalist Annie Jacobsen's very people-oriented history of a most unlikely topic: America's conflicted attitude toward assassination as a policy option and/or military weapon for accomplishing national strategic goals. The sub-title is somewhat misleading. "The Secret History of CIA paramilitary Armies, Operators, and Assassins" suggests another comprehensive look at a subject other writers have already covered well (such as "Killer Elite : The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team" by Michael Smith, one of my favorites; or Jacobsen's own "The Pentagon's Brain" or "Operation Paperclip" also about CIA secrets). But "Surprise, Kill, Vanish" is a much more personable and readable book. It traces the history of the CIA clandestine/paramilitary service back to familiar territory -- the WWII OSS and the establishment of the Green Berets in 1952. But then only follows those aspects related to the specific "assassination as national policy" issue and how US Presidents and their executive agents in the CIA and DoD addressed it. Issues both organizational and legal are covered. Two Green Berets, Billy Waugh and Lew Merletti, become unwitting pawns of this national confliction. Waugh, an early Green Beret, becomes one of the CIA clandestine service's most seasoned operators (and the oldest to deploy to Afghanistan post 9-11). Merletti, a Vietnam Era Green Beret, joins the Secret Service and his career path charts the difficult path of protecting US Presidents against foreign entities intent on employing assassination to further their own objectives. Eventually the book follows three trajectories -- one being the history of America's assassination policy in practice; one the CIA Operator implementing it; and one the Secret Service Agent protecting the President from the consequences of assassination used against the US. Along the way, many US operations in Central America, the Middle East and Africa get their due coverage. There are better and more detailed books on some of these operations but Jacobsen's forte is personalizing the story by following characters like Waugh and Merletti (among others); gleaning from her sources new, previously classified details; and then, by book's conclusion, interjecting herself into the story as she follows Billy Waugh to Vietnam and Cuba where he meets with the children of his former battlefield enemies, General Vo Nguyen Giap and Che Guevara. It's readable, entertaining history about a very serious and important topic. And through it all, Jacobsen maintains her trademark objectivity. As a know-it-all military guy, I did notice a few minor technical details that needed tweaking (RPG and RPK are confused in one Billy Waugh story). But Jacobsen is a strong writer who knows how to get her subjects to open up and share with her. This might annoy those who prefer their history dry and "the facts only, ma'am" but that wouldn't be Annie Jacobsen. "Surprise, Kill, Vanish" is comparable to Ronan Bergman's "Rise and Kill First" in terms of content (there is even an overlapping story involving CIA and Mossad cooperation) but while Bergman's book is bleak -- a straight up description of nationally sanctioned killing repeated ad nauseum -- "Surprise, Kill, Vanish" is upbeat. Assassination may be a necessary evil. But the people involved are not necessarily evil. They are simply willing to go to any length to protect America. Highly recommended. Especially for readers of intelligence operations, military history, 20th Century history, national policy matters and military personalities.Although a verified purchaser, I did obtain an advanced copy. Reviewer opinions are my own.

Surprise, Kill, Vanish is a great read that documents the history of covert CIA operations from the OSS in WWII to current operations in Afghanistan. The thriller-style of writing makes it a real page turner, but some seriously groan-inducing typos (at least I hope they were typos) prevents me from giving a higher rating. "Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole?" "Lieutenant Colonel John F. Kennedy?" Really?

I loved this book. I could not put it down, however there were some small inaccuracies regarding titles of people, JFK was not a Lt Col, and a few others. These small details make me question the author's validities of bigger details. I recommended this book I recommend to the author and publisher to do a better job during the editing process and rewrite the small mistakes so that the entire book cannot be called into question. If you cannot get JFK's rank correct during WWII, then how are you going to get a complex story like hunting Carlos the Jackal correct? But, this book is worth the read.

A CIA operative carries a serrated knife in a case? Really?Please do a better job researching when you are writing fiction.

I have enjoyed her books and looked forward to this one. I found nothing new and in some case the information is incorrect. Naylor's Relentless Strike is a better book on recent operations with greater details and some old secret revealed. There several books better on the Vietnam i.e., Plaster SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam. At one point in the book she states a forthcoming statement has never before been written about. Unfortunately, she was incorrect. I will not keep the book as a reference or recommend to my friends. The two star is based in part on her other works.

Superp!!! I have loved this Author for some time, if your reading this you already know her work. I have wanted a book like this forever. You want nitty - gritty, CIA, you got it! I was listening to her last eve, on Coast 2 Coast, blown away at what resources she had/has access to. I am not going into detail, about the contents, but I will say this is a timely read, for the world we live in, and the reasons why it is like it is. A awesomely researched book, that reads like gold. Worth the price tag guys!!

This book is basically a biography of Billy Waugh and his many exploits.There's really nothing new in this book, although the author writes well.I don't think the author really understood her subject matter, and occasionally comes across as a starry eyed groupie when describing Billy Waugh. No doubt that Waugh is the real deal, but he's just one of thousands of courageous men and women at the very tip of the spear.In regards to assassination, it's better to kill one man than to allow him to kill thousands or millions. I have no qualms about assassins killing really bad people, though the author seems conflicted about it.

Jacobsen has produced a remarkable, thoughtful, well-researched, and eye-opening account of the CIA and its "executive action" teams. She writes with the skill of a novelist in putting big ideas on center stage through the use of just the right story.If you want to have an "informed" opinion about the good intentions and the mess the CIA has become you should pick up this book.

I have read all of Annie Jacobsen's books and this book had so many factual and descriptive errors in it. The book was not rushed,but appears to be rushed with the lack of military proof reading to correct very obvious mistakes like ID JFK Naval rank in WW2 as a Lt.Colonel when he was a Naval Lt.Jr Grade.Another is the RPG rounds having tracers.RPG goes by one with a whoose sound not like green tracers.I did enjoy the book but expected more from such a talented writer.Focus a lot on the legendary Billy Waugh.I would encourage the reader to also read Billy's book-"Hunting the Jackal". The author seems to give a huge pass to the Obama Admin.Barely 2 pages total written on his 8 years.Current President Trump has even less space written,maybe a half page.So it was disappointing that Afghanistan seems to stop with her writing after 2011 at the latest with UBL take down by SEAL Team 6.First of her books I did not give a 5 Star rating.

Fascinating read, really enjoyed it. Found Annie Jacobsen, on a Joe Rogen podcast, will be reading more of her books!

Fascinating book with plenty of detail of CIA 'dark' operations over the years.The book was so good i read it overa few days.

I had been expecting a factual, historical journey through dates, times and incidents that formed current policy.I got all that but it was beautifully woven through the lives of key players that had been involved since WW2.An amazing read about some amazing people. Well worth it.

I enjoy AJs disclosure books, as usual a good Sunbed holiday read!