📖 Overview
Compromised: Clinton, Bush and the CIA details Terry Reed's involvement with CIA operations in the 1980s during his time as a former Air Force Intelligence operative. The book presents Reed's firsthand account of alleged covert activities involving future politicians Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush.
Reed describes his recruitment into what he claims was a CIA proprietary operation based in Arkansas, involving pilot training and arms shipments. His narrative covers operations across multiple states and countries, with Arkansas serving as a central hub for various intelligence activities.
The book documents Reed's observations of the relationships between state government, federal agencies, and what he alleges were drug trafficking operations. His account includes meetings with high-ranking officials and details about the inner workings of classified programs.
The work raises questions about the intersection of intelligence operations, politics, and criminal enterprises in 1980s America. Reed's account challenges official narratives about this period and presents an alternative perspective on recent American history.
👀 Reviews
Readers view this as a detailed insider account of CIA operations in Arkansas during the 1980s. The book receives considerable attention from those interested in Iran-Contra and Clinton-era conspiracies.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Documentation and source materials provided
- First-hand perspective from Reed's direct involvement
- Complex connections between state and federal operations
- Details about Barry Seal and Mena Airport activities
Common criticisms:
- Writing style can be dense and meandering
- Some claims lack external verification
- Political bias evident in presentation
- Timeline inconsistencies noted by several readers
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.4/5 (265 reviews)
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (196 ratings)
Reader quote: "A compelling account but requires fact-checking against other sources" - Amazon reviewer
Multiple readers note the book requires careful reading and background knowledge of 1980s politics to fully understand the context and allegations presented.
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The Politics of Heroin by Alfred W. McCoy A comprehensive examination of CIA collaboration with global drug traffickers from the Cold War through modern times.
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The Secret Team by L. Fletcher Prouty An insider's revelation of CIA operations and influence from a former liaison between the agency and the Pentagon during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
American Made by Barry Seal and Yvette Seal The first-hand account of a CIA operative who flew covert missions in Central America during the Reagan administration's war against communism.
The Politics of Heroin by Alfred W. McCoy A comprehensive examination of CIA collaboration with global drug traffickers from the Cold War through modern times.
Prelude to Terror by Joseph J. Trento An investigation into the transformation of the CIA during the Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan administrations through covert operations and private intelligence networks.
The Secret Team by L. Fletcher Prouty An insider's revelation of CIA operations and influence from a former liaison between the agency and the Pentagon during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔎 Terry Reed, one of the book's authors, claims he worked as a CIA operative and personally trained pilots for covert operations at Mena Airport in Arkansas during the 1980s
💼 The book alleges that Bill Clinton, while Governor of Arkansas, was involved in CIA drug-smuggling operations through the Mena Airport facility
📜 Co-author John Cummings was a veteran investigative reporter who previously wrote for Newsday and earned a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his journalism
🏢 The allegations in the book became part of the broader "Clinton Chronicles" controversies of the 1990s, which examined various conspiracy theories surrounding Bill Clinton's time as Arkansas governor
✈️ The Mena Airport operations described in the book were allegedly part of the Iran-Contra affair, where proceeds from arms sales to Iran were used to fund Nicaraguan Contra rebels despite Congressional prohibitions