“An Imperial History of the CIA” – with Hugh Wilford
Summary
Hugh Wilford joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book. Hugh is a professor, author, and leading CIA historian.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
- Imperial influences on American intelligence
- Key figures in CIA history
- “Wild” Bill Donovan & British influence
- Groton School’s impact on CIA leaders
Reflections
- Inherited history
- Challenging established narratives
And much, much more …
Episode Notes
This week’s guest is Dr. Hugh Wilford, author of the new book The CIA: An Imperial History. Hugh is a professor of United States History at California State University, Long Beach, and has published extensively on intelligence history and beyond. He joins the illustrious group of our UK-born American historian friends of SpyCast.
Hugh joined Andrew this week in a fascinating discussion challenging history’s established narratives about the Central Intelligence Agency and offering new ideas on the understanding of American espionage. They touch upon some of the most influential figures in early CIA history and explore the intertwinings of culture and global intelligence. Tune in to learn more!
And…
Hugh is a graduate of Bristol University in Bristol, England. In 1876, this university became the first in the United Kingdom to admit women into the college on an equal basis with men.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*Spotlight Resource*
- The CIA: An Imperial History, Hugh Wilford (Basic Books, 2024)
*SpyCasts*
- The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich (2024)
- The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022)
- The 75th Anniversary of the CIA with former Director Robert Gates (2022)
*Beginner Resources*
- Timeline of American Imperialism, Students of History (2024) [Short article]
- What is Imperialism? PHILO-Notes, YouTube (2021) [3 min. video]
- History of CIA, CIA (n.d.) [Website]
DEEPER DIVE
Books
- A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA, R. Jeffreys-Jones (Oxford University Press, 2022)
- Spymasters: CIA Directors, C. Whipple (S&S, 2020)
- A Brief History of the CIA, R. Immerman (Wiley, 2014)
Articles
- When the CIA Messes Up, D. Immerwahr, The New Yorker (2024)
- How Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Kim’ Helped Create Modern Espionage, H. Wilford, Crime Reads (2024)
- Harvard, Neo-Imperialism, and the CIA: A Call to Action, J. Wynn, Harvard Political Review (2023)
- Is America an Empire? T. Groh & J. Lockhart, War on the Rocks (2015)
- William J. Donovan and the National Security, A. W. Dulles, CIA Historical Review Program (1993)
Audio
- The History Of American Imperialism, From Bloody Conquest To Bird Poop, Fresh Air Podcast, NPR (2019)
Video
- Secrecy, Democracy & the Birth of the CIA, H. Wilford, Great Courses, YouTube (2021)
Primary Sources
- Sherman Kent Obituary (1986)
- Maj. Gen. Edward G. Lansdale to go to South Vietnam (1965)
- CIA Review of the World Situation (1947)
- Lester to Truman re Centralized Intelligence (1947)
- National Security Act (1947)
- Intelligence Remarks of Major General William J. Donovan (1946)
*Wildcard Resource*
- Kim (1901) by Rudyard Kipling
- As Hugh mentions in this interview, this book was the inspiration behind Kermit Roosevelt Jr.’s nickname, Kim. Harold Adrian Russell Philby, the infamous member of the Cambridge Spy Ring better known as Kim Philby, took inspiration from the same source.
