Books by TD Barnes

Books Unlocking the Secrets of the CIA at Area 51

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by

TD Barnes
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As an insider who worked on Special Projects during the CIA era at Area 51, I’ve been privileged to witness and contribute to some of the most groundbreaking aviation and reconnaissance programs in history. Today, I’m excited to share six declassified books I’ve authored, each revealing untold stories of innovation, espionage, and the technological feats that unfolded at the world’s most secretive facility. These books, now available on Amazon in e-book, paperback, and hardcover formats, invite you to explore the hidden legacy of the CIA’s operations at Area 51.

The CIA Area 51 Chronicles: A Declassified History of America’s Most Secretive Aviation and Intelligence Programs By TD Barnes
Step into the world of espionage, covert operations, and the cutting-edge aviation programs that defined the Cold War and beyond. The CIA Area 51 Chronicles unveils the secret history of America’s most classified intelligence projects—missions that were hidden from the world for decades, now declassified and brought to light by Area 51 veteran TD Barnes.
From the birth of the U-2 spy plane to the development of the A-12 Archangel, the precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird, these books chronicle the CIA’s pioneering efforts in high-altitude reconnaissance, stealth technology, and aerial exploitation of Soviet MiG aircraft. Each volume takes you deep into the top-secret world of Project OXCART, the exploitation of Soviet aircraft under HAVE DOUGHNUT and HAVE PAD, and the technological breakthroughs that shaped modern intelligence.
This thrilling and meticulously documented series explores:
The CIA’s race to develop the U-2 and A-12 spy planes at Area 51 to counter Soviet threats.
The covert BLACK SHIELD missions, where the A-12 flew reconnaissance over North Vietnam, North Korea, and China.
The declassified MiG exploitation projects, where the CIA and U.S. military tested captured Soviet aircraft to gain a tactical edge in aerial combat.
The development of America’s first stealth aircraft, and how the CIA’s Directorate of Science & Technology led innovation in reconnaissance and defense.
The birth of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the CORONA satellite program, which revolutionized satellite-based intelligence.
With firsthand insights from the author, declassified government files, and gripping narratives of high-stakes intelligence operations, The CIA Area 51 Chronicles is a must-read for history buffs, aviation enthusiasts, and espionage aficionados.
Books in the Series:
The Angels – The CIA’s race to build the U-2 spy plane.
The Archangels – The secret history of the A-12 Archangel and its covert missions.
The Company Business – The CIA’s transformation of Area 51 into a hub for espionage technology.
MiGs Over Nevada – The clandestine exploitation of Soviet MiG-21 aircraft.
Project HAVE PAD – The classified study of the MiG-23 Flogger at Area 51.
Project OXCART – The untold story of the CIA’s fastest spy plane.
CIA Wizards of Aerial Reconnaissance – The rise of CIA aviation and intelligence technology.
Black Ops Science & Technology – The CIA’s role in developing cutting-edge espionage tools.
Spies in the Sky – America’s secret spy satellite programs.
Beyond the Horizon – The declassified history of the CIA’s Office of Special Activities.
For the first time, the veil of secrecy is lifted. If you want to uncover the real story behind Area 51 and the CIA’s aviation legacy, this series will take you beyond the rumors and into the declassified truth.

Available now on Amazon and Audible.

Black Ops Science & Technology: The Genesis of the CIA’s Directorate of Science & Technology (CIA Area 51 Chronicles – Book 8)
By TD Barnes
The CIA’s secret weapons of intelligence. The birth of modern reconnaissance. The covert science behind espionage.
In the shadows of the Cold War, the CIA embarked on an unprecedented technological revolution—one that would redefine intelligence gathering and national security. From its earliest days, the Agency recognized that superior science and technology were the keys to outmaneuvering America’s adversaries. This vision led to the creation of the Directorate of Science & Technology (DS&T), a clandestine unit responsible for some of the most groundbreaking advancements in aerial reconnaissance, stealth technology, and satellite surveillance.
At the heart of these efforts was Area 51, the birthplace of the U-2 spy plane, the A-12 Archangel, and the SR-71 Blackbird—aircraft that could fly higher and faster than anything before them. But beyond aviation, the CIA’s black ops science expanded into electronic warfare, advanced reconnaissance satellites, and counterintelligence innovations that shaped modern espionage.
This book pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes political battles, technological breakthroughs, and classified missions that defined the DS&T’s early years. Through declassified records, firsthand accounts, and expert analysis, Black Ops Science & Technology uncovers how the CIA’s relentless pursuit of covert technological superiority changed the course of intelligence history.
This book is part of The CIA Area 51 Chronicles series:

The Angels – The CIA’s race to build the U-2 spy plane.
The Archangels – The secret history of the A-12 Archangel and its covert missions.
The Company Business – The CIA’s transformation of Area 51 into a hub for espionage technology.
MiGs Over Nevada – The classified exploitation of Soviet MiG-21 aircraft.
Project HAVE PAD – The declassified study of the MiG-23 Flogger at Area 51.
Project OXCART – The untold story of the CIA’s fastest spy plane.
CIA Wizards of Aerial Reconnaissance – The evolution of CIA aviation and intelligence technology.
Black Ops Science & Technology – The genesis of the CIA’s Directorate of Science & Technology.

CIA Seal

CIA-Approved Title
This book has been officially approved for sale in the CIA’s Employee Activity Association (EAA) Store at Langley.

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Available in Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, & Audio Book

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CIA Wizards of Aerial Reconnaissance: The CIA’s Trailblazing Tech Evolution (CIA Area 51 Chronicles – Book 7)
By TD Barnes
The CIA’s secret aviation pioneers. The evolution of intelligence technology. The hidden history of aerial reconnaissance.
For decades, the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology pushed the boundaries of what was possible in intelligence gathering, transforming aerial reconnaissance and surveillance technology. From the covert flights of Air America to the groundbreaking U-2 and A-12 Archangel programs at Area 51, the CIA pioneered a new era of intelligence operations.
This book reveals the hidden world of the CIA’s Special Activities Division (SAD) Air Branch, an elite unit of handpicked pilots recruited from military special operations and civilian aviation. These unsung heroes flew some of the most daring missions in modern history, developing cutting-edge aircraft, stealth technology, and satellite reconnaissance systems that would shape the future of intelligence gathering.
Beyond aircraft, the CIA’s technical revolution extended into satellite surveillance, cryptography, and drone technology. Programs like CORONA, HEXAGON, and the KH-series satellites gave the U.S. an unparalleled advantage in global intelligence. The book also explores the Agency’s forays into psychological warfare, clandestine research, and experimental technologies through programs like BLUEBIRD, ARTICHOKE, and MKULTRA.
With declassified documents, firsthand accounts, and expert analysis, CIA Wizards of Aerial Reconnaissance unveils the groundbreaking aviation and intelligence advancements that changed the course of history. This is the untold story of the brilliant minds, fearless pilots, and covert operatives who made it all possible.

CIA Seal

CIA-Approved Title
This book has been officially approved for sale in the CIA’s Employee Activity Association (EAA) Store at Langley.

This book is part of The CIA Area 51 Chronicles series:
The Angels – The CIA’s race to build the U-2 spy plane.
The Archangels – The secret history of the A-12 Archangel and its covert missions.
The Company Business – The CIA’s transformation of Area 51 into a hub for espionage technology.
MiGs Over Nevada – The classified exploitation of Soviet MiG-21 aircraft.
Project HAVE PAD – The declassified study of the MiG-23 Flogger at Area 51.
Project OXCART – The untold story of the CIA’s fastest spy plane.
CIA Wizards of Aerial Reconnaissance – The evolution of CIA aviation and intelligence technology.
Keywords:
CIA aviation history, Area 51 covert operations, U-2 and A-12 reconnaissance, CORONA spy satellites, Cold War intelligence programs, CIA Special Activities Division, stealth and drone technology.

Buy and Enjoy

Available in Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, & Audio Book

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Beyond the Horizon: The Declassified History of the CIA’s Office of Special Activities (CIA Area 51 Chronicles – Book 10)
By TD Barnes
The CIA’s most secretive division. The covert missions that shaped modern intelligence. The untold story of Area 51’s black operations.
For decades, the CIA’s Office of Special Activities (OSA) operated in the shadows, overseeing some of the most classified projects in intelligence history. From the secret testing of high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft to the development of stealth technology and satellite surveillance, this elite division played a critical role in shaping the future of espionage.
In the hidden world of Area 51, the OSA was responsible for managing some of the CIA’s most ambitious aviation and technological programs. Under its watch, the Agency launched the U-2 spy plane, the A-12 Archangel, and the stealth programs that revolutionized aerial reconnaissance. But its reach extended far beyond aircraft—the CIA’s satellite operations, covert drone programs, and cutting-edge surveillance technology all trace their origins back to this division.
Through declassified records and firsthand accounts, Beyond the Horizon uncovers:
The CIA’s transformation from traditional espionage to high-tech intelligence gathering.
The critical role of Area 51 in developing and testing advanced reconnaissance systems.
How the OSA shaped Cold War strategy, influencing national security at the highest levels.
The legacy of the CIA’s Special Activities Division in modern intelligence and aerial warfare.
For years, the existence of the CIA’s Office of Special Activities remained one of the most closely guarded secrets of the Cold War. Now, this book pulls back the curtain on the black operations, covert missions, and unsung pioneers who pushed the boundaries of intelligence beyond anything the world had ever seen.
This book is part of The CIA Area 51 Chronicles series:
The Angels – The CIA’s race to build the U-2 spy plane.
The Archangels – The secret history of the A-12 Archangel and its covert missions.
The Company Business – The CIA’s transformation of Area 51 into a hub for espionage technology.
MiGs Over Nevada – The classified exploitation of Soviet MiG-21 aircraft.
Project HAVE PAD – The declassified study of the MiG-23 Flogger at Area 51.
Project OXCART – The untold story of the CIA’s fastest spy plane.
CIA Wizards of Aerial Reconnaissance – The evolution of CIA aviation and intelligence technology.
Black Ops Science & Technology – The genesis of the CIA’s Directorate of Science & Technology.
Spies in the Sky – The secret history of America’s Cold War spy satellites.
Beyond the Horizon – The declassified history of the CIA’s Office of Special Activities.
Keywords:
CIA Office of Special Activities, Area 51 black projects, CIA aviation history, Cold War intelligence programs, U-2 and A-12 reconnaissance, CIA satellite surveillance, stealth technology development.

Buy and Enjoy

Available in Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, & Audio Book

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Japan Mexico Australia India Brazil Canada
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“The Angels (CIA Area 51 Chronicles – Book 1)
By TD Barnes
The birth of CIA aerial reconnaissance. The race to build the U-2. The hidden history of Area 51.
In this explosive first installment of The CIA Area 51 Chronicles, step into the shadowy world of Cold War espionage, where the newly formed Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) battles for supremacy against the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps in a high-stakes struggle to control America’s aerial intelligence operations.
At the height of Cold War paranoia, President Truman entrusts the CIA with an unprecedented mission—to develop a top-secret manned reconnaissance aircraft capable of penetrating Soviet airspace. Against impossible odds, the Agency delivers: in just eight months, the CIA pioneers the legendary U-2 spy plane, a revolutionary aircraft that would reshape global intelligence.
As tensions mount between the CIA, Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, and the U.S. military, the U-2 Angels take to the skies on daring missions over the Soviet Union. Their high-altitude surveillance exposes the bomber and missile gap myth, altering the course of history. But the battle for control is far from over. The CIA and Air Force clash over the future of aerial espionage, culminating in the development of the A-12 Archangel, a faster, more advanced aircraft designed to replace the U-2.
Set against the secretive backdrop of Area 51, The Angels unveils the true story of the pilots, engineers, and intelligence officers who risked their lives in one of the most dangerous covert operations of the Cold War. From high-stakes political conflicts to life-or-death aerial missions, this book reveals the gripping, untold history of America’s first spy planes and the men who flew them.

CIA Seal

CIA-Approved Title
This book has been officially approved for sale in the CIA’s Employee Activity Association (EAA) Store at Langley.

This book is part of The CIA Area 51 Chronicles series:
The Angels – The CIA’s race to build the U-2 spy plane.
The Archangels – The secret history of the A-12 Archangel and its covert missions.
The Company Business – The CIA’s transformation of Area 51 into a hub for espionage technology.
MiGs Over Nevada – The classified exploitation of Soviet MiG-21 aircraft.
Project HAVE PAD – The declassified study of the MiG-23 Flogger at Area 51.
Project OXCART – The untold story of the CIA’s fastest spy plane.
This book is perfect for readers interested in Cold War history, military aviation, and intelligence operations.
Keywords:
CIA Area 51 history, U-2 spy plane development, Cold War reconnaissance operations, CIA vs. Air Force conflicts, Soviet espionage missions, Truman and Eisenhower intelligence programs.

Buy and Enjoy

Buy and Enjoy

Available in Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, & Audio Book

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📖 Purchase at D2D

“The Archangels (CIA Area 51 Chronicles – Book 2) By TD Barnes
The race for the ultimate spy plane. The birth of stealth technology. The CIA’s covert war at Area 51.
As Cold War tensions escalate in the 1960s, the CIA faces an urgent crisis. The Soviets have shot down a U-2 spy plane over Russia, exposing U.S. reconnaissance operations. The Cuban Missile Crisis threatens nuclear war, and the conflict in Vietnam intensifies. With intelligence gaps widening, the CIA needs a revolutionary aircraft to replace the vulnerable U-2.
In the secrecy of Area 51, the newly formed Directorate of Science and Technology embarks on one of the most ambitious projects in aviation history—Project OXCART. Their mission: to develop the A-12 Archangel, America’s first stealth aircraft, capable of flying faster and higher than any plane before it. Designed using slide-rule technology, the A-12 becomes the fastest and highest-flying manned air-breathing aircraft in history, capable of reaching speeds over Mach 3 and soaring above 90,000 feet.
For 18 months, the CIA conducts radar cross-section evaluations of the A-12 at Groom Lake, refining its stealth capabilities. Under the veil of secrecy, the aircraft completes 2,850 test flights from Area 51, preparing for dangerous real-world operations. In Operation BLACK SHIELD, the CIA deploys three A-12s to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, launching high-risk reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam, North Korea, and other hostile regions.
Despite its success, political and bureaucratic battles between the CIA and the U.S. Air Force lead to the A-12’s early retirement, paving the way for the Air Force’s SR-71 Blackbird. Though short-lived, the A-12’s groundbreaking technology forever changes aerial reconnaissance and stealth warfare.
The Archangels is the declassified true story of the CIA’s most advanced spy plane, the pilots who risked their lives to fly it, and the secret operations that shaped Cold War intelligence. From engineering breakthroughs to covert missions, this book pulls back the curtain on one of the most classified programs in aviation history.

CIA Seal

CIA-Approved Title
This book has been officially approved for sale in the CIA’s Employee Activity Association (EAA) Store at Langley.

This book is part of The CIA Area 51 Chronicles series:
The Angels – The CIA’s race to build the U-2 spy plane.
The Archangels – The secret history of the A-12 Archangel and its covert missions.
The Company Business – The CIA’s transformation of Area 51 into a hub for espionage technology.
MiGs Over Nevada – The classified exploitation of Soviet MiG-21 aircraft.
Project HAVE PAD – The declassified study of the MiG-23 Flogger at Area 51.
Project OXCART – The untold story of the CIA’s fastest spy plane.
Keywords:
CIA Area 51 history, A-12 Archangel spy plane, Cold War aerial reconnaissance, Project OXCART, Operation BLACK SHIELD, Vietnam War espionage, early stealth aircraft development.

Buy and Enjoy

Available in Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, & Audio Book

USA UK Germany France Spain Italy Netherlands
Japan Mexico Australia India Brazil Canada


📖 Purchase at D2D

“The Company Business (CIA Area 51 Chronicles – Book 3)
By TD Barnes
The evolution of Area 51. The rise of stealth technology. The CIA’s secret aviation empire.
In the aftermath of the U-2 and A-12 reconnaissance programs, the CIA faced an uncertain future in aerial espionage. With the SR-71 Blackbird now under Air Force control, the Agency’s manned reconnaissance efforts appeared to be coming to an end. But instead of fading into history, Area 51 transformed into the most secretive aviation research facility in the world.
At the heart of this transformation was the CIA’s newly established Directorate of Science and Technology, led by Dr. Bud Wheelon. Tasked with pushing the boundaries of intelligence gathering, this elite team pioneered stealth aircraft development, advanced radar technology, and aerial counterintelligence strategies that would reshape modern warfare.
As the CIA repurposed Area 51, it became the center of a covert arms race that remained hidden from public view for decades. Among its most classified operations was the exploitation of Soviet MiG aircraft, allowing U.S. pilots to train against real enemy fighters for the first time. These programs helped turn the tide in the Vietnam War, where U.S. aircraft suffered devastating losses against advanced Soviet-built jets.
For nearly a decade after its reconnaissance missions ended, Area 51 remained one of the CIA’s most valuable assets, its activities shrouded in secrecy. Now, with declassified records and firsthand accounts, The Company Business reveals how the CIA’s secret projects at Area 51 influenced global intelligence, military strategy, and the future of aerial warfare.

CIA Seal

CIA-Approved Title
This book has been officially approved for sale in the CIA’s Employee Activity Association (EAA) Store at Langley.

This book is part of The CIA Area 51 Chronicles series:
The Angels – The CIA’s race to build the U-2 spy plane.
The Archangels – The secret history of the A-12 Archangel and its covert missions.
The Company Business – The CIA’s transformation of Area 51 into a hub for espionage technology.
MiGs Over Nevada – The classified exploitation of Soviet MiG-21 aircraft.
Project HAVE PAD – The declassified study of the MiG-23 Flogger at Area 51.
Project OXCART – The untold story of the CIA’s fastest spy plane.

Buy and Enjoy

Available in Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, & Audio Book

USA UK Germany France Spain Italy Netherlands
Japan Mexico Australia India Brazil Canada


📖 Purchase at D2D

These books are a tribute to the brilliance and courage of those who worked tirelessly, often in anonymity, to safeguard national security and advance the boundaries of human achievement. Whether you’re a history buff, an aviation enthusiast, or someone fascinated by covert operations, these stories will offer you unparalleled insight into the secretive world of the CIA’s activities at Area 51.

Start your journey today and uncover the stories that have remained hidden for decades!

Declassification
The Area 51 Chronicles is about the CIA’s era at Area 51. It contains recently declassified material from the CIA’s Top-secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Kleyla report titled “The CIA, Directorate of Science and Technology [DST], History of the Office of Special Activities [OSA] From Inception to 1969.” The CIA released this declassified report on 1 March 2016.
During September 1997, the National Air Intelligence Center declassified the formerly top-secret HAVE DOUGHNUT, HAVE DRILL, and HAVE FERRY FTD reported that the author references in this book.
On 16 August 2013, the CIA acknowledged its role at Area 51 with the release of “The Area 51 File” titled by the National Security Archive as, “The CIA Declassifies Area 51.” The National Archives credited the author in the CIA document declassification of August 16, 2013.


The CIA Declassifies Area 51 – National Security Archive

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