Enemies Audiobook By Tim Weiner cover art

Enemies

A History of the FBI

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Enemies

By: Tim Weiner
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
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About this listen

Enemies is the first definitive history of the FBI’s secret intelligence operations, from an author whose work on the Pentagon and the CIA won him the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

We think of the FBI as America’s police force. But secret intelligence is the Bureau’s first and foremost mission. Enemies is the story of how presidents have used the FBI as the most formidable intelligence force in American history.

Here is the hidden history of America’s hundred-year war on terror. The FBI has fought against terrorists, spies, anyone it deemed subversive—and sometimes American presidents. The FBI’s secret intelligence and surveillance techniques have created a tug-of-war between protecting national security and infringing upon civil liberties. It is a tension that strains the very fabric of a free republic.

©2012 Tim Weiner (P)2012 Random House
Americas Freedom & Security History Intelligence & Espionage Law Politics & Government United States Espionage American History Military Surveillance War Franklin D. Roosevelt

Critic reviews

“Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tim Weiner has written a riveting inside account of the FBI’s secret machinations that goes so deep into the Bureau’s skulduggery, readers will feel they are tapping the phones along with J. Edgar Hoover. This is a book that every American who cares about civil liberties should read.” (Jane Mayer, author of Dark Money)

“Important and disturbing...with all the verve and coherence of a good spy thriller.” (The New York Times Book Review)

Enemies is a research masterpiece. Picking through seventy thousand newly declassified documents and using on-the-record interviews, Weiner reveals startling new truths and debunks nagging old myths about the FBI. Enemies reads like a thriller, but don’t let the heart-pumping prose fool you. Weiner has written a scholarly tour de force that will be an instant classic for any serious student of American national security.” (Amy B. Zegart, PhD, Stanford University, author of Spying Blind)

What listeners say about Enemies

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absolute masterpiece of modern history

this book gives a clear and non partisan history of the FBI from it's orgins to Hoover's unprecedented reign to the modern day flailing and success of the agency. cannot recommend​it enough.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Wanted to like it more than I did

The narrator was fine but very monotone. the story was really really dry. Most of the book is about Hoover. That's somewhat expected given his role in the department for decades. But, it felt very biographical for long long sections of the book. I had a very hard time finishing this one. Last several chapters were quite good, though.

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1 person found this helpful

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Another great book on illegal operations in federal law enforcement

Wish he would have went a little more in depth to ruby ridge and the other high profile investigations but overall very good and informative book

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The History of the G-men

Well read, with the artist doing the accents of quoted dialog wonderfully. Scary as hell how close we have come to absolute failure and home far we still have to go.

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Awesome

Blasted thru this. Exciting, exasperating. Despite the many struggles and failures of the fbi, makes you proud.

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Very Entertaining!

Enjoyed the book very much. The narrator does a great job. And the story flows pretty well. Definitely would recommend.

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Excellent researched book

Very good book went so fast due to the interesting history of the FBI from the beginning to the 9/11 attack by terrorist

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Very informative

What did you like best about Enemies: A History of the FBI? What did you like least?

The thing I liked best about this book was how thorough of a history it provided. It definitely debunked some myths that I thought previously to listening to it, it confirmed some things and it also had a lot of new information. What I liked least about it was it's length!! Holy cow, what a long book.

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Important gripping history read perfectly

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you liked LEGACY OF ASHES you'll like this too. Unbelievable insights on the FBI, Hoover, and the never ending tug of war between liberty and safety.

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12 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not as good as Legacy of Ashes, but good.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

That the book was not as comprehensive as Legacy of Ashes. The reality of this book is that it should be titled "A Biography of J. E. Hoover". I understand that Hoover was a large portion of the FBI history, and that the more recent information is probably still classified and thus unpublishable but Weiner could have retitled this book and cut the last few chapters and had a better book with a much more accurate title.

What three words best describe Stefan Rudnicki???s performance?

Needs linguistics lessons

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no

Any additional comments?

Repeat after me Mr. Rudnicki; Mah-Cheese-Moe, not Ma-kiss-mo, Mah-Cheese-Moe. That is just the beginning of so many mispronounced words.

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