The Rest Is Classified 111. The Man Behind The CIA: Shooting In The White House (Ep 2)
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Dec 24, 2025 Explore the intriguing world of Wild Bill Donovan, the architect of the OSS, as he navigates the complexities of espionage from a posh London hotel. Discover his midnight meeting with FDR post-Pearl Harbor and the race to centralize intelligence. Delve into Donovan's unique recruitment methods, risky operations, and connections with British allies. Learn about his daring presence at D-Day and the struggles he faced after the war, including rivalries with Hoover and the CIA's formation. Reflect on Donovan's enduring legacy in spy culture.
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Claridge's Command Center
- William "Wild Bill" Donovan set up his OSS command center across a whole floor at Claridge's and hosted colonels, ambassadors, and movie directors there.
- He combined charm, spectacle, and social scene management to run intelligence operations from London.
Seed Of The President's Daily Brief
- FDR and Donovan began to develop the idea of a centralized intelligence product for the president.
- This planted the seed for a daily consolidated briefing that later evolved into the president's daily brief.
Recruiting The Reckless
- Donovan deliberately recruited unconventional candidates—"glorious amateurs" and rule-breakers—into the OSS.
- That mix of public-school types, academics, crooks, and military castoffs shaped OSS culture and tradecraft.