Mark Riebling

Mark Riebling is an American author and intelligence researcher best known for his investigative works on national security, intelligence agencies, and World War II history. His two major books "Wedge: The Secret War between the FBI and CIA" (1994) and "Church of Spies: The Pope's Secret War Against Hitler" (2015) have garnered significant attention in both academic and intelligence circles. Prior to his career as an author, Riebling received his education at prestigious institutions including UC Berkeley, Dartmouth College, and Columbia University. He later served as editorial director at the Manhattan Institute and worked as a book editor in Random House's Adult Trade Division. From 2002 to 2006, Riebling held the position of Research Director for the Center for Policing Terrorism, where he collaborated with law enforcement leadership to establish the National Counter Terrorism Academy. His analytical work provided support to major police departments including the LAPD and NYPD, contributing to post-9/11 intelligence reforms. Riebling's research and analysis have focused on intelligence agency cooperation, counter-terrorism, and historical investigations. His work has influenced policy discussions and operational changes in the U.S. intelligence community, particularly regarding inter-agency coordination and counter-terrorism strategies.

Readers consistently praise Riebling's thorough research and documentation in both "Wedge" and "Church of Spies." Many note his ability to present complex intelligence topics in clear, engaging prose. What readers liked: - Detailed source citations and extensive footnotes - Clear explanation of bureaucratic conflicts - Connection of historical events to current intelligence issues - Revelation of previously unknown WWII operations What readers disliked: - Dense technical passages in "Wedge" - Some found the pace slow in early chapters - A few readers questioned interpretations of Vatican motives - Complex organizational relationships can be hard to follow Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Wedge": 4.0/5 (500+ ratings) - "Church of Spies": 4.2/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: - "Wedge": 4.3/5 (150+ reviews) - "Church of Spies": 4.5/5 (300+ reviews) One reader noted: "Riebling excels at making institutional rivalries read like a thriller." Another commented: "The footnotes alone are worth the price."

Wedge: The Secret War Between the FBI and CIA (1994) Examines the historical rivalry and conflicts between America's two main intelligence agencies from 1941 to 1994, analyzing how agency competition affected major security cases and intelligence operations.

Church of Spies: The Pope's Secret War Against Hitler (2015) Documents Pope Pius XII's involvement in covert operations against Nazi Germany, including his role in assassination plots against Hitler and support of anti-Nazi resistance networks.

Christopher Andrew writes comprehensive histories of intelligence agencies and espionage operations based on declassified archives and insider accounts. He authored "The Secret World: A History of Intelligence" and served as official historian of MI5.

Tim Weiner specializes in investigative journalism focused on American intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA and FBI. His book "Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA" won the National Book Award and draws from over 50,000 documents plus hundreds of interviews.

John Lewis Gaddis examines Cold War history and intelligence operations through detailed archival research and strategic analysis. He wrote "George F. Kennan: An American Life" and provides deep context on intelligence operations within broader Cold War policy.

Peter Finn investigates World War II intelligence operations and resistance movements using primary sources and declassified files. His book "A Guest of the Reich" chronicles wartime espionage through personal narratives and official records.

David E. Hoffman focuses on Cold War intelligence operations and modern security challenges using declassified documents and first-hand accounts. His book "The Billion Dollar Spy" details CIA operations in Moscow based on agency files and operative interviews.