Book · 2007 · History
Legacy of Ashes
The History of the CIA
Why people recommend it
Legacy of Ashes by Tim Weiner is a comprehensive and critical history of the Central Intelligence Agency, drawing on extensive archival research and declassified documents to chronicle the organization's numerous failures and missteps from its inception. Joe Rogan brought up the book on The Joe Rogan Experience to discuss various historical CIA operations, noting that the author was a former New York Times journalist who meticulously documented the agency's track record. Similarly, Tim Pool mentioned reading the work on Timcast IRL during a segment focusing on intelligence history and the perceived incompetence or overreach of federal agencies. Both hosts used the text as a reference point to explore the shadowy side of American foreign policy and the unintended consequences of covert intelligence operations over several decades. The frequent citation of this seminal historical work on popular podcasts highlights its enduring reputation as a definitive, albeit sobering, account of institutional power, bureaucratic dysfunction, and the complex relationship between national security objectives and democratic governance.
Who recommended it
Joe Rogan — 1 mention
“in 2000 and there was a book that came out called Legacy of Ashes was written by a go a guy called Tim Wier it used to be New York Times and it was all about the CIA”
Tim Pool — 1 mention
“It's called A Legacy of Ashes”