The Great War of Our Time: The CIA's Fight Against Terrorism--From al Qa'ida to ISIS

by Michael Morell, Bill Harlow (With)

Overview

THE GREAT WAR OF OUR TIME offers an unprecedented assessment of the CIA while at the forefront of our nation's war against al-Qa'ida and during the most remarkable period in the history of the Agency. Called the "Bob Gates of his generation," Michael Morell is a top CIA officer who saw it all--the only person with President Bush on 9/11/01 and with President Obama on 5/1/11 when Usama Bin Laden was brought to justice. Like Ghost Wars, See No Evil, and At the Center of the Storm, THE GREAT WAR OF OUR TIME will be a vivid, newsmaking account of the CIA, a life of secrets and a war in the shadows.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455585663
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	05/12/2015
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	424,832
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Michael Morell, the recently retired Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, is one of the country's most prominent national security professionals, with extensive experience in intelligence and foreign policy.

Bill Harlow is a writer, consultant and public relations specialist. He spent seven years as the top spokesman for the Central Intelligence Agency. He co-authored George Tenet's #1 New York Times bestseller At the Center of the Storm.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Chapter 1 Opening Salvos 1

Chapter 2 The President and the Sheikh 27

Chapter 3 The Darkest Hours 45

Chapter 4 The Finest Hours 61

Chapter 5 An Imperfect Storm 77

Chapter 6 Al Qa'idas Nine Lives 108

Chapter 7 No Mickey Mouse Operation 143

Chapter 8 Al Qa'ida Spring 177

Chapter 9 9/11/2012 197

Chapter 10 Stalking Points 211

Chapter 11 Tortured Logic 245

Chapter 12 Breach of Trust 280

Chapter 13 The Long War Ahead 299

Chapter 14 Carved in Stone 328

Acknowledgments 345

Index 353

About the Authors 363

What People are Saying About This

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

A remarkable narrative about the greatest national security threat America has faced since the Cold War and how the country's premier intelligence agency dealt with it. In THE GREAT WAR OF OUR TIME Michael Morell provides an astute look at key battles won and lost in the fight against al Qa'ida, and he offers invaluable insights for both intelligence and policy into battles yet to come. Anyone who wants to know how the CIA dealt with the al Qa'ida menace and how the country should address it going forward should read this book. --Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Senator Joseph Lieberman

Intelligence professionals are an unsung but absolutely critical part of our country's national security, and Michael Morell, who served 33 years at CIA, was one of the best intelligence officers our nation has ever had. His service at the senior ranks of CIA coincided with the Agency's fight against al Qa'ida, and in the THE GREAT WAR OF OUR TIME he recounts this history with honesty, insight, and poignancy. This is a very readable book in which you will learn a lot of things you didn't know before—including what it's like to work as an intelligence professional. --Senator Joseph Lieberman

Mike Mullen

Morell has written a compelling narrative about the fight against al Qa'ida and the terror it inspires and exports globally. He provides rare and thoughtful insight into the mystifying world of intelligence, to include the remarkable and patriotic Americans who serve there. Michael is the 'best of the best' and portrays the CIA at a sustained level of excellence during remarkably tough times. --Mike Mullen, ADM, USN (ret.), 17th chairman, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff

Professor Graham Allison

Must-read for anyone thinking seriously about terrorism. An authoritative, insightful insider's account of the CIA's leadership in the War on Terror. Courageously ducks none of the thorny issues, from torture and Snowden to Osama bin Laden. --Professor Graham Allison, author of Essence of Decision

Editorial Reviews

12/01/2014
Recently retired as the CIA's deputy director, Morell was the only person with President Bush on 9/11 and President Obama when Osama Bin Laden was killed. No wonder 60 Minutes calls him "the most important spook you have never heard of." Here he goes inside the CIA to reveal its operations during the war on terror.

Library Journal

"A remarkable narrative about the greatest national security threat America has faced since the Cold War and how the country's premier intelligence agency dealt with it. In THE GREAT WAR OF OUR TIME Michael Morell provides an astute look at key battles won and lost in the fight against al Qa'ida, and he offers invaluable insights for both intelligence and policy into battles yet to come. Anyone who wants to know how the CIA dealt with the al Qa'ida menace and how the country should address it going forward should read this book."—Robert Gates, former secretary of defense and CIA director

"Intelligence professionals are an unsung but absolutely critical part of our country's national security, and Michael Morell, who served 33 years at CIA, was one of the best intelligence officers our nation has ever had. His service at the senior ranks of CIA coincided with the Agency's fight against al Qa'ida, and in the THE GREAT WAR OF OUR TIME he recounts this history with honesty, insight, and poignancy. This is a very readable book in which you will learn a lot of things you didn't know before-including what it's like to work as an intelligence professional."—Joseph Lieberman, former US Senator

"Must-read for anyone thinking seriously about terrorism. An authoritative, insightful insider's account of the CIA's leadership in the War on Terror. Courageously ducks none of the thorny issues, from torture and Snowden to Usama bin Ladin."—Graham Allison, former dean, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and author of Essence of Decision

"Michael Morell has written a compelling narrative about the fight against al Qa'ida and the terror it inspires and exports globally. He provides rare and thoughtful insight into the mystifying world of intelligence, to include the remarkable and patriotic Americans who serve there. Michael is the 'best of the best' and portrays the CIA at a sustained level of excellence during remarkably tough times."—Mike Mullen, ADM, USN (ret.), former chairman, US Joint Chiefs of Staff

From the Publisher