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The Architect of Espionage by Samuel M. Katz - 2026 01 25

January 21, 2026 3:22 PM | Anonymous

The Architect of Espionage: The Man Who Built Israel's Mossad into the World's Boldest Intelligence Force

by Samuel M. Katz
November 25, 2025
Publisher: Scribner
 



The Architect of Espionage: The Man Who Built Israel's Mossad into the World's Boldest Intelligence Force
by Samuel M. Katz


From a New York Times bestselling author and an expert on Middle Eastern conflict comes a riveting biography of Meir Dagan, the legendary Mossad director who transformed Israel’s intelligence service into a global powerhouse of espionage and counterterrorism.

In 
The Architect of Espionage, Samuel M. Katz masterfully chronicles the life of Meir Dagan, a visionary covert warfare veteran who revolutionized the art of intelligence and espionage. Born in the shadows of the Holocaust, his life personified the modern history of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Dagan’s journey embodies decisive action, innovative thought, and bold leadership under fire. His tenure as the head of the Mossad marked a transformative era in Israel’s history, reshaping the agency into a formidable global force.

Dagan’s story is one of daring strategy and relentless ingenuity. He spent thirty-two years in uniform, and under his eight-year leadership, Mossad orchestrated a series of high-stakes missions, including targeted assassinations, clandestine attempts to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power, and the covert expansion of Israel’s strategic collaborations with members of the global intelligence fraternity, notably with the CIA. These operations not only bolstered Israel’s security but also altered the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. Drawing on unprecedented access to Dagan’s closest confidants, comrades in arms, and contemporaries in the international intelligence community, Katz brings to life the portrait of a spymaster whose influence extended far beyond Israel’s borders, shaping intelligence relationships across the Middle East and worldwide.

Katz’s expertise in Middle Eastern conflicts and counterterrorism shines through in this meticulously researched narrative that delves into the intricate details of Dagan’s strategies. 
The Architect of Espionage is more than a biography—it is the history of the Jewish state told through the life of one of its most incredible warriors, spy chiefs, and, ultimately, statesmen. The Architect of Espionage is an immersive journey into the shadowy world of intelligence, where decisions carry life-or-death stakes and outcomes are steeped in secrecy.

For anyone captivated by espionage thrillers or historical biographies, this is an essential and timely read, providing an insightful glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential spymasters of our era.

 Indigo Amazon 




"An eye-opening look at how real-world spycraft is conducted." —Kirkus Reviews

"The sto­ry of Meir Dagan, a hero whose life was an inte­gral part of the his­to­ry of Israel, is awe-inspir­ing. Katz relates it with the nuance, detail, and dra­ma it deserves." —Jewish Book Council

"Katz vividly portrays Dagan . . . moving." —SpyTalk

“Few names loom larger in the shadow war than Meir Dagan. In his extraordinary new book, Katz pulls back the curtain on the soldier, commando, and spymaster who transformed the Mossad into a service that not only provided intelligence but turned it into an actionable commodity. Fast-paced, deeply researched, and unforgettable, this is the story of a dedicated leader whose bold actions and ‘clandestine diplomacy’ changed the course of history. Required reading for those wishing to understand the landscape of the modern Middle East.” —Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Cry Havoc

“Dagan was Israel’s ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan and Katz nails the life of Israel’s legendary secret agent. Spies will study The Architect of Espionage to learn how the Mossad thinks and operates, because Dagan’s legacy lives on. The man changed the face of counterterrorism, turning the tables on enemies.” —Fred Burton, former special agent and New York Times bestselling co-author of Under Fire: The Untold Story of the Attack in Benghazi

“Meir Dagan stands among the most consequential Israeli leaders in its history. Across fifty years, Dagan played an enormous role in protecting Israel from the numerous threats it faced, while also turning Mossad into the best intelligence service in the world. In The Architect of Espionage, author Samuel Katz brings Dagan’s remarkable story to life. I learned much more from this book about Dagan than I knew before I read it.” —Mike Morell, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency

“Samuel Katz has done it again, producing a detailed window into the legendary career and life of Meir Dagan, one of the titans in the global intelligence world, a man feared by his enemies, revered by officers under his command, and deeply respected by his allies, particularly in the US.” —Marc Polymeropoulos, former CIA senior intelligence officer

“Everyone who will read this exceptionally exciting book will get a better understanding of the difficulties, the challenges, and the threats that Israel had to deal with and the courageous manner in which Meir Dagan as head of Mossad helped the government and the state of Israel prevail. . . . Highly recommended.” —Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel

 

 See also:

The Architect of Espionage as reviewed by Ralph Goff for The Cipher Brief – January 16, 2026 

The Architect of Espionage as reviewed by Ralph Goff for Kirkus Reviews – November 1, 2025



 

Meir Dagan (center) in Lebanon. (photo credit:BAMACHANE)

 About the book: 
The Architect of Espionage: The Man Who Built Israel's Mossad into the World's Boldest Intelligence Force
by Samuel M. Katz
Scribner – 432 pages 33.99 (Kindle)
Publication Date: November 25, 2025 


 

About the Author: Samuel M. Katz


Samuel  Katz is New York City-based New York Times best-selling author,  magazine editor, and special feature correspondent.   He has written over 30 books, and articles for publications around the world, including editions of Vanity Fair,  Esquire, and GQ. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of Special  Operations Report, a quarterly magazine dedicated to military and law  enforcement special operations, and counterterrorism.

He  has appeared on numerous international television and radio networks,  and also lectures law enforcement agencies and military commands around  the world.

Katz is also an international business development, marketing, and media consultant for industries around the world

From 1998 to 2002, he served as President of CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Research in Africa). His essays have appeared in the New Left Review and the London Review of books, among other journals.
Biography Credit:  
samuelkatzonline.com

 


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