Donovan

America’s Master Spy

By: Richard Dunlop, William Stephenson - foreword

Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin

The fascinating biography of the man who laid the foundation for the CIA. One of the most celebrated and highly decorated heroes of World War I, a noted trial lawyer, presidential adviser and emissary, and chief of America’s Office of Strategic Services during World War II, William J. Donovan was a legendary figure. Donovan, originally published in 1982, penetrates the cloak of secrecy surrounding this remarkable man.

During the dark days of World War II, "Wild Bill" Donovan, more than any other person, was responsible for what William Stevenson, author of A Man Called Intrepid, described as the astonishing success with which the United States entered secret warfare and accomplished in less than four years what it took England many centuries to develop. Drawing upon Donovan’s diaries, letters, and other papers; interviews with hundreds of the men and women who worked with him and spied for him; and declassified and unpublished documents, author Richard Dunlop, himself a former member of Donovan’s OSS, traces the incredible career of the man who almost single-handedly created America’s central intelligence service. The result is the definitive biography that Donovan himself had always expected Dunlop would write.

©1982, 2014 Richard Dunlop (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Fantastic biography of a little known cold-warrior

Excellent coverage of an important American hero. I think he had America's best interest at heart, and it's good to hear this story about what made the man

A must read

Tens of thousands of heroic actions and decisions by the greatest hero of the 20th century that very few know about. This was a hero who put personal duty above personal advancement unlike 99.98% of histories great figures

Good story about a little known hero

Reader was rather monotone. Very little expression and virtually no pauses at important points in the story. For example, the story includes an incident where a child drank some poison, and the reader just keeps going at the same pace, same tone as if nothing important happened. If you weren't paying attention, you could easily miss it.
The story of Donovan is quite incredible, almost as if he was perfect in every way. But it does sound like he made some great contributions to the world of intelligence and espionage on the part of the U.S. especially during WWII. Interesting how that helped to win the war.

Fascinating, prescient guy

Had no idea the scope of Donovan's accomplishments. Highly recommended addition to understanding the present.

An amazing man!

This audiobook exceeded my expectations on all accounts. The narrator brought the exploits and accomplishments of Wild Bill Donovan to life. Donovan was a creator, thinker, and leader.