For General Michael Hayden, playing to the edge means playing so close to the line that you get chalk dust on your cleats. Otherwise, by playing back, you may protect yourself, but you will be less successful in protecting America. "Play to the edge" was Hayden's guiding principle when he ran the National Security Agency, and it remained so when he ran CIA. How did American intelligence respond to terrorism, a major war and the most sweeping technological revolution in the last 500 years? What was NSA before 9/11 and how did it change in its aftermath? Why did NSA begin the controversial terrorist surveillance program that included the acquisition of domestic phone records? What else was set in motion during this period that formed the backdrop for the infamous Snowden revelations in 2013? As Director of the CIA in the last three years of the Bush administration, Hayden had to deal with the rendition, detention, and interrogation program as bequeathed to him by his predecessors. He also had to ramp up the agency to support its role in the targeted killing program that began to dramatically increase in July 2008. Hayden freely acknowledges that the CIA helped turn the American security establishment into the most effective killing machine in the history of armed conflict. General Hayden's goals are in writing this book are simple and unwavering: No apologies. No excuses. Just what happened. And why.

Includes index.

The system is down (1999-2000) -- A national treasure... for how much longer? (2001-2005) -- Going to war...with some help from our friends (2001-2003) -- Going to war... again and again (2002-2005) -- Stellarwind (2001-2003) -- Going public... willingly and otherwise (2004-2008) -- The public's right to know... and be safe (1999-2009) -- Life in the cyber domain (1996-2010) -- Is this really necessary? (2005-2006 and beyond) -- "I want you to take over CIA" (May-September 2006) -- Three "easy" pieces (2006) -- A unique view (2007-2008) -- Going home (1945-2014) -- "No core. No war" (2007-2008) -- Espionage, bureaucracy, and family life (2006-2009) -- Iran: Bombing or the bomb? (2007-2009) -- A global enterprise (2007-2009) -- "There will be no explaining our inaction" (2002-2009 and beyond) -- Transition (November 2008-February 2009) -- "General, they're going to release the memos" (2009-2014) -- The private sector (2009-2014).