AUDIOBOOK
About
A vivid account of a life in intelligence, special operations, and strategy from the Cold War to the war with al-Qa'ida
"Deeply insightful . . . A sweeping and breathtaking journey that gives the reader unprecedented access to the courage, sacrifice, and bravado of our nation's finest warriors, in their finest hours." -Admiral William H. McRaven, author of Wisdom of the Bullfrog AND #1 New York Times bestseller, Make Your Bed
In 1984, Michael Vickers took charge of the CIA's secret war against the Soviets in Afghanistan. After inheriting a strategy aimed at imposing costs on the Soviets for their invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, Vickers transformed the covert campaign into an all-out effort to help the Afghan resistance win their war. More than any other American, he was responsible for the outcome in Afghanistan that led to the end of the Cold War.
In By All Means Available, Vickers recounts his remarkable career, from his days as a Green Beret to his vision for victory in Afghanistan to his role in waging America's war with al-Qa'ida at the highest levels of government. In captivating detail, he depicts his years in the Special Forces-including his training to parachute behind enemy lines with a backpack nuclear weapon in the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe-and reveals how those experiences directly influenced his approach to shaping policy. Vickers has played a significant role in most of the military and intelligence operations of the past four decades, and he offers a deeply informed analysis of the greatest challenges facing America today, and in the decades ahead.
Riveting and illuminating, this is a rare and important insider's account of the modern military and intelligence worlds at every level. "A masterful, fully compelling assessment of key intelligence and special operations missions over recent decades." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Mike Vickers has written the best and most comprehensive memoir yet about American military special operations and CIA covert actions during the last decade of the Cold War and the generation-long U.S. war against foreign terrorists. From running the Reagan administration's war against the Soviets in Afghanistan to the killing of Usama Bin Ladin and beyond, Vickers was at the center of planning and implementing some of the most consequential secret presidential directives. His ability to think and plan both strategically and tactically was rare, but to add to that superb practical execution made Vickers a talent unique in the intelligence agencies and in the Department of Defense. From enlisted Green Beret to some of the most senior positions in government, Vickers saw it all, experienced it all. Readers of his memoir are in for a rare treat and a gripping story." -Robert M. Gates, Director of Central Intelligence 1991–1993 and Secretary of Defense 2006–2011
"A fascinating, must-read book. Mike Vickers shares an insider's riveting and unsparing account of the efforts to keep America safe in an unsafe time. As a thoughtful, ferocious warrior and policy maker, his unique eyewitness insights reveal the passion and wisdom that gained him trust across all ranks and throughout Washington." -General Jim Mattis, U.S. Marines (Retired) and 26th Secretary of Defense
"In my over 50 years of public life, I have known only a few special people totally devoted to the challenge of protecting our country. Mike Vickers is one of those very special people. His experiences are without equal. But because he spent his life as a "silent warrior" most of what he accomplished is out of the public eye. He was always in the right place at the right time, providing essential courage, advice, and devotion critical to accomplishing the mission. He helped make our country safer. There is no greater legacy for a 'silent warrior.'" -Leon E. Panetta, Former Secretary of Defense and Director, CIA
"Dr. Mike Vickers is uniqu
"Deeply insightful . . . A sweeping and breathtaking journey that gives the reader unprecedented access to the courage, sacrifice, and bravado of our nation's finest warriors, in their finest hours." -Admiral William H. McRaven, author of Wisdom of the Bullfrog AND #1 New York Times bestseller, Make Your Bed
In 1984, Michael Vickers took charge of the CIA's secret war against the Soviets in Afghanistan. After inheriting a strategy aimed at imposing costs on the Soviets for their invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, Vickers transformed the covert campaign into an all-out effort to help the Afghan resistance win their war. More than any other American, he was responsible for the outcome in Afghanistan that led to the end of the Cold War.
In By All Means Available, Vickers recounts his remarkable career, from his days as a Green Beret to his vision for victory in Afghanistan to his role in waging America's war with al-Qa'ida at the highest levels of government. In captivating detail, he depicts his years in the Special Forces-including his training to parachute behind enemy lines with a backpack nuclear weapon in the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe-and reveals how those experiences directly influenced his approach to shaping policy. Vickers has played a significant role in most of the military and intelligence operations of the past four decades, and he offers a deeply informed analysis of the greatest challenges facing America today, and in the decades ahead.
Riveting and illuminating, this is a rare and important insider's account of the modern military and intelligence worlds at every level. "A masterful, fully compelling assessment of key intelligence and special operations missions over recent decades." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Mike Vickers has written the best and most comprehensive memoir yet about American military special operations and CIA covert actions during the last decade of the Cold War and the generation-long U.S. war against foreign terrorists. From running the Reagan administration's war against the Soviets in Afghanistan to the killing of Usama Bin Ladin and beyond, Vickers was at the center of planning and implementing some of the most consequential secret presidential directives. His ability to think and plan both strategically and tactically was rare, but to add to that superb practical execution made Vickers a talent unique in the intelligence agencies and in the Department of Defense. From enlisted Green Beret to some of the most senior positions in government, Vickers saw it all, experienced it all. Readers of his memoir are in for a rare treat and a gripping story." -Robert M. Gates, Director of Central Intelligence 1991–1993 and Secretary of Defense 2006–2011
"A fascinating, must-read book. Mike Vickers shares an insider's riveting and unsparing account of the efforts to keep America safe in an unsafe time. As a thoughtful, ferocious warrior and policy maker, his unique eyewitness insights reveal the passion and wisdom that gained him trust across all ranks and throughout Washington." -General Jim Mattis, U.S. Marines (Retired) and 26th Secretary of Defense
"In my over 50 years of public life, I have known only a few special people totally devoted to the challenge of protecting our country. Mike Vickers is one of those very special people. His experiences are without equal. But because he spent his life as a "silent warrior" most of what he accomplished is out of the public eye. He was always in the right place at the right time, providing essential courage, advice, and devotion critical to accomplishing the mission. He helped make our country safer. There is no greater legacy for a 'silent warrior.'" -Leon E. Panetta, Former Secretary of Defense and Director, CIA
"Dr. Mike Vickers is uniqu