Chapter 18 Summary and Analysis

George goes through the process of the Senate confirmation for the directorship of the CIA. He succeeds but has to give up his ambition of being Ford's next vice president. George fits in well at the CIA because there are many old friends from Yale working there. George does not learn much about the secret world of the CIA but he does use his privileges to read some confidential files about the Kennedy assassination. During his time at the CIA, Barbara goes through a severe depression and has suicidal thoughts.

After only about a year in office, George is dismissed as the director of the CIA by the newly elected president, Jimmy Carter. George is angry at his dismissal and returns to Texas with his wife. He is slowly planning his election campaign for the presidency in 1980.

At the same time...