"This book chronicles the struggles of American intelligence agencies to come to grips with Europe's new postwar realities, including the growing dominance of the Soviet Union, its recent ally in the war against Hitler's Germany. Focusing on the Strategic Services Unit, which rose from the ashes of the OSS and took on missions that would eventually be embraced by the CIA, Alvarez illuminates a long-neglected and poorly understood chapter in what became the Cold War"--Provided by publisher.

On the precipice of peace -- A mystery in an enigma -- Signs and portents: Germany -- Spies on the Danube: Austria -- A distant arena: Eastern Europe -- The nearer shore: France and Italy -- Conclusion.