From a former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, whose government service spanned six presidencies, this is the inside story of the role of America and the agency in the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Gates provides descriptions of the atmosphere, culture and politics of the CIA and the National Security Council and draws candid appraisals of presidents and key officials. Among his many disclosures are: how Carter laid the foundations for Reagan's covert wars against the Soviets; CIA predictions of a conservative coup against Gorbachev and the collapse of the Soviet Union; CIA and KGB "black operations" against each other; the secret relationship between Pope John Paul II and the Soviets; and the three secret CIA-KGB summits.