How does our government eavesdrop? Whom do they eavesdrop on? And is the interception of communication an effective means of predicting and prevent...
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reviews
Feb 05, 2009
Because Keefe wrote Chatter as a private citizen rather than as an insider expert, he had trouble finding cooperative agencies (let's start with the NSA). The lack of insider information makes the book na_īve at times, but nonetheless important in this post-Cold War, terrorist-ridden era. While critics praised the wealth of statistics (the NSA employs more mathematicians than any other organization in the world), they also embraced Keefe's provocative questions. His big issue: privacy rights vers
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Jun 25, 2009
W. T.
rated it: 
This is a remarkable book about "sigint" (signals intelligence). The first half is a chilling detailing of how telecommunications of all sorts are swept up by numerous listening stations around the world, a central part of a UK-USA agreement (including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).
The second half begins to wonder if the enormous amount of money spent by the NSA (and others) is worth it, given the tremendous failures of sigint to help prevent terrorist acts (notably S More...
The second half begins to wonder if the enormous amount of money spent by the NSA (and others) is worth it, given the tremendous failures of sigint to help prevent terrorist acts (notably S More...
Feb 01, 2008
Christopher
rated it: 
I have read a bunch of books on spying and intelligence agencies over the years.
Most of their authors allowed themselves the luxury of blurring the line between plainly observable / provable facts and wild flights of fanciful conjecture.
This book is a refreshing change in that and other regards.
Patrick Radden Keefe does an excellent job sketching in both broad and detailed strokes exactly what we do know about agencies like the NSA and their counterparts in More...
Most of their authors allowed themselves the luxury of blurring the line between plainly observable / provable facts and wild flights of fanciful conjecture.
This book is a refreshing change in that and other regards.
Patrick Radden Keefe does an excellent job sketching in both broad and detailed strokes exactly what we do know about agencies like the NSA and their counterparts in More...
Jan 22, 2009
Tim
rated it:
A fascinating look at United States signals intelligence. It focuses on piecing together what little is known about Echelon, the intelligence-sharing alliance between the U.S., U.K., and a handful of other English-speaking countries. Very interesting stuff if you are at all curious about the intelligence gathering capabilities of our country.
Jan 10, 2011
Ryan
rated it: 
A little boring but the author did a good bit of research on the different eavesdropping installations around the world to put this book together. Since the material is based on research, and related news stories, it barely starts to scratch the surface of SIGINT but still has some good info.
Jan 08, 2009
Weavre
rated it:
Another, "Hey, I've read that!" I knew next to nothing about Menwith Hill, etc., before reading this. It was a fascinating read.
OST NON-FICTION ADULT STK 327.127 KEE
OST NON-FICTION ADULT STK 327.127 KEE
Mar 08, 2008
Barrett
rated it:
Excellent survey of the Echelon system, very readable, filled with tons of great nerdy true hacker stories. The author maintains neutrality in a very difficult topic, which I don't like much, but I appreciate why he does it- to get through to the most people possible and let them decide for himself. His conclusion is that SIGINT does not really work, which I am sceptical of, and he focues' some on 9-11.
Sep 07, 2009
Word
rated it:
Absolutely fascinating. Highly recommended for Americans and Anglos interested in how their government operates. Keefe is very fair-handed. It's not a polemic attacking or defending the NSA and other agencies. He really is investigating what works, what doesn't, and the history and future of government surveillance.
Jul 06, 2010
Emily
rated it:
I'm listening to this book when I run, and it's really keeping me distracted from the agony of running on a treadmill. It's filled with the world of spies -- eavesdropping, interceptions, codes, and secrets. I really like learning about that sort of stuff, so it's a pleasure to read for me.
Nov 01, 2008
Will
rated it:
The search for Echelon, a fabled system that supposedly sees all, hears all, by a young law student in the UK. This is a look at the NSA and its facilities across the globe, the interactions between NSA and the agencies of other nations. An excellent first book by a promising new investigator.
Feb 03, 2010
Mark
rated it: 
Do you believe your government listens in on you? Well a lot more than you may think. Illegal? yes but the NSA and it's partners do it as a matter of course. All your e-mails all of your phone calls, your faxes, and your text messages. A wake up call written clearly and objectively.
Jul 26, 2010
Relevant reading in light of the ongoing FISA debate. The author is engaging on the complex evolution of global government surveillance.
Sep 22, 2007
Michael
rated it:
Holy crap reading that was prescient right before the NSA domestic spying scandal. Really interesting stuff, not especially detailed
Nov 13, 2011
James
rated it:
Exceptionally well written. Insightful. A look into signal intelligence capturing by the Anglo alliance.
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