Season 3, Episode 8: James & Tom Risen, The Last Honest Man: the CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedy's - and one Senator's Fight to Save Democracy

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs in his conversation with authors James and Tom Risen on their important, new book The Last Honest Man, a gripping biography of Idaho Senator, Frank Church.  The Risens describe the remarkable events of 1975, when Senator Church almost single-handedly took on the CIA and FBI, to hold them accountable for serious crimes that they had committed, including the CIA’s assassination plots and the CIA’s and FBI’s illegal surveillance of American citizens. 

This is an inspiring story of how one idealistic Senator battled the powerful and secretive US security state and temporarily brought it under public scrutiny.  Alas, it is also a profound warning for our own time - as the 1975 Church Committee was the last time in half a century that the CIA has been thoroughly investigated. Tune in for a fascinating discussion of pivotal events 50 years ago and their profound relevance for today. 

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

⭐️ Thank you for listening!

➡️ Sign up for the newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribeBCJS

➡️ Website: bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org

🎉 Don't forget to subscribe and share your favorite episode with your friends!

📣 Leave a rating and tell us what you thought about this episode!