This work comprises the memoirs of Richard M. Bissell Jr, whose leadership of America's intelligence services brought about such developments as the U-2 spy plane and the Corona spy satellite, and who was also the architect of the Bay of Pigs operation that faied to overthrow Castro in 1961.

In this revealing memoir, the CIA's most important spymaster provides an insider's view of American intelligence activities during a pivotal period in history. The author tells of the personalities, policies, and historical forces that influenced events while he was in charge of the development of the U-2 spy-plane, the Corona spy satellite, the infamous Bay of Pigs operation, and other covert CIA operations and discusses the lessons that were learned during the Cold War.