The Determined Spy

Coming April 8, 2025, Douglas Waller’s next book, The Determined Spy: The Turbulent Life And Times Of CIA Pioneer Frank Wisner.

Published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House, this biography is the story of one of the most powerful men in 1950s Washington, though few knew it.  Reporting directly to senior U.S. officials – his work largely hidden from Congress and the public – Frank Wisner masterminded some of the CIA’s most daring and controversial operations in the early years of the Cold War, commanding thousands of clandestine agents around the world.

Following an early career marked by exciting escapades as a key World War II spy under General William “Wild Bill” Donovan’s OSS, Wisner quickly rose through the postwar intelligence ranks to lead a newly created top-secret unit tasked — under little oversight – with overseeing massive anti-Communist propaganda, economic warfare, sabotage, subversion, and guerrilla operations all over the world. The missions included such daring initiatives as the CIA-backed coups in Iran and Guatemala.

But simultaneously, Wisner faced a demon few at the time understood: bipolar disorder.  When this debilitating disease resulted in his breakdown and transfer to a mental hospital, the repercussions were felt throughout Washington’s highest levels of power.

The Determined Spy is not only the story of Frank Wisner as a national figure who inspired a cadre of future CIA secret warriors. It is also an intimate and empathetic portrait of a man whose harrowing struggle with bipolar disorder made his impressive accomplishments on the world stage even more remarkable.

 

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