Explores the life and career of William Egan Colby, one of the most controversial figures of the postwar period: World War II commando, Cold War spy, Saigon CIA station chief, and eventual CIA director under Nixon and Ford, he played a critical role in some of the most pivotal events in 20th-centurEnglish. history.

The disappearance -- The Colbys and the Egans -- Jedburgh -- A bridge too far -- The Agency -- Covert operations on the periphery of the Cold War -- Political action and La Dolce Vita -- Cold war cockpit -- Fighting a people's war -- The military ascendant -- Secret armies -- Launching the other war -- CORDS: a Peace Corps with guns -- Birds of peace and birds of war -- The family jewels -- Ascension -- Revelations -- Dancing with Henry -- Death of a dream -- Fight for survival -- Epilogue.