The National Security Agency is the world’s most powerful, most far-reaching espionage. Now with a new afterword describing the security laps...
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reviews
Jan 01, 2012
Frederick
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This book is about the National Security Agency, the super secret spy agency. The agency's job is to monitor and eavesdrop on electronic communications and break foreign codes. It has been involved in every major foreign policy situation since its founding in the 1930's. The book talks about the history of the agency and some of the most important events it has been involved in. The most interesting parts are the descriptions of the USS Pueblo capture (by the North Koreans in 1968), the USS Libe
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Aug 20, 2011
Kirk
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Be prepared to keep track an incredible array of organization names; the NSA is the archtypical bureaucratic labyrinth. The author relates the history of the NSA from its origins in the 1930s up to 2001 (the book clearly was written and published before 9/11. Now there's a tale I'd like to hear!). Startling revelations: the US communications security during the Vietnam war was completely compromised and made, for example, the bombings by B52s ineffective. The Israeli attack on the NSA intercept
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Mar 28, 2011
Alex
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Interesting topic, disappointing book. There's a lot of interesting information and fascinating stories in this book; unfortunately, Bamford seems to have taken the information, put it in a blender, and spewed out the jumbled results into the book.
Chapters frequently jump back and forward decades, and divert into stories about individual characters in minor roles in events. It's difficult to keep dates and events straight in your head as you read.
Fortunately, Bamford breaks u More...
Chapters frequently jump back and forward decades, and divert into stories about individual characters in minor roles in events. It's difficult to keep dates and events straight in your head as you read.
Fortunately, Bamford breaks u More...
Jan 17, 2008
Nate
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I had high hopes for this book, due to the uber-interesting subject matter (the NSA) and my interest in security, crypto, government secrecy, etc.
Too damn bad for me. This is one of the most poorly written, poorly edited books I've ever read. Bamford writes comically bad prose; he seems to think wandering off topic is a literary device because he does it chronically and deliberately. His analogies are off the mark almost without exception. A mild example (paraphrasing): "Th More...
Too damn bad for me. This is one of the most poorly written, poorly edited books I've ever read. Bamford writes comically bad prose; he seems to think wandering off topic is a literary device because he does it chronically and deliberately. His analogies are off the mark almost without exception. A mild example (paraphrasing): "Th More...
Dec 02, 2007
Joe
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An illuminating look behind the curtain at an agency that was unknown for so long. Bamford's history of the NSA reveals so many AMAZING secrets that were classified until shortly before his book was published:
- Eisenhower frequently sent fighter/bomber formations into Soviet airspace to see how far they could get before being detected, and how quickly the Soviet air defenses could react. This provocative action led to aircraft being shot down on several occasions before they could g More...
- Eisenhower frequently sent fighter/bomber formations into Soviet airspace to see how far they could get before being detected, and how quickly the Soviet air defenses could react. This provocative action led to aircraft being shot down on several occasions before they could g More...
Aug 21, 2007
Brian
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Now more than ever this book is appropriate. Before you pass any judgement reading about NSA in the papers or watch some crappy CNN expose, you need to read this book first.
I gave a review on "The Puzzle Palace." If you liked that book a lot, then it is doubtful you will like this one. But if you that "Palace" was far to tabloid-ish in its reporting of NSA and the facts just a bit too slippery then you will probably enjoy "Body of Secrets."
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I gave a review on "The Puzzle Palace." If you liked that book a lot, then it is doubtful you will like this one. But if you that "Palace" was far to tabloid-ish in its reporting of NSA and the facts just a bit too slippery then you will probably enjoy "Body of Secrets."
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Oct 08, 2010
Gregory
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 07, 2011
Adrian
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An interesting book - not the tell-all it claims to be, but still quite interesting.
The author does tell a great deal about the NSA, but also about the CIA, and seems to spend a lot of time going off topic. The Liberty incident, which is covered in great detail in the book, relies a great deal on speculation - a bit too much?
Not a bad book - if only the author would stop relying on awful cliched metaphors.
The author does tell a great deal about the NSA, but also about the CIA, and seems to spend a lot of time going off topic. The Liberty incident, which is covered in great detail in the book, relies a great deal on speculation - a bit too much?
Not a bad book - if only the author would stop relying on awful cliched metaphors.
Jan 06, 2009
Michael
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Took me a while to get through the book. The subject is fascinating but occasionally the details are only tangentially related. I enjoyed reading it and there are a lot of good stories in there, perhaps if some of the fat was trimmed and the stories organized a little better.
One especially interesting/disturbing section of the book described how the Joint Chiefs of Staff wanted an excuse to invade Cuba. So they presented a plan to President Kennedy to stage terrorist attacks in the More...
One especially interesting/disturbing section of the book described how the Joint Chiefs of Staff wanted an excuse to invade Cuba. So they presented a plan to President Kennedy to stage terrorist attacks in the More...
Jul 21, 2009
Benjamin
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Pretty interesting recent history of the NSA. Long, but the pace is reasonably quick since the stories are so compelling (and unbelievable at times). I'm interested to read his latest book, The Shadow Factory, which details more of the post-9/11 eavesdropping activities.
One thing though, he definitely has a knack for strained metaphors.
One thing though, he definitely has a knack for strained metaphors.
Oct 21, 2009
Gloria
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I am about half way through this book - it is well written and very well researched and documented. I had no idea the extent of their operations and control they have over decision making of policies: which wars to start/stop; which country to support or excourage over-throw. Most interesting read.
Oct 16, 2010
Christopher
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Very fascinating stuff. Bamford has produced a well-written, wonderfully structured, and expertly researched (including previously classified documents and interviews with major figures) of the adventures, and many, many illegal and immoral acts, of one of the most secret agencies in the USA.
Jun 18, 2009
Judy
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I taught Jim Bamford as a student and have known him through his years of tireless research. So, I trust him, as well as enjoy his insights and writing. I will read anything he writes, as I admire his work so. Plus I share his concern over violations of civil rights.
Mar 07, 2009
Robert
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A very interesting view into the inner working of one of the most secret (and potentially scary/dangerous) gov't agencies. James Bradford give background and insight into the NSA, from the humble beginning down to almost present day. You get a look into how knowledge and information has been transformed into power (and then wielded). Sometimes the agency has done fantastic things...other times not so much. It behooves everyone to know and understand how the NSA works, even if you are OK with
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Feb 12, 2009
SmarterLilac
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A life-changing look at the history of the black sheep of the American intelligence community and its relationship to U.S. politics and foreign policy. Do the words "Operation Northwoods" mean anything to you? If not, you should read this book.
May 31, 2009
Kcraybould
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This book makes one thing completely clear: our national security apparatus has devolved into a festering stew of paranoia, violence worship and authoritarianism run amok.
Dec 05, 2008
Matt
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This was a grueling read, but I'm glad I made the effort. In fairness, the first half or so was great: an excellent blend of facts and action that gave shape to several significant historical incidents--many of which I was not aware of. However, the second half seemed to drag on...and on and on. I would recommend the latter half to any potential NSA employee or a public administration student (a healthy dose of NSA budgeting, leadership analysis, organizational culture/change), but I felt I c
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Aug 01, 2011
Jon
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scary look at a little of what the NSA is about, and some of its actions, good book if you are interested in that sort of thing
Jul 02, 2011
Chris
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This account of the NSA had a great start, covering the historical construction of a formerly non-existent agency to a global powerhouse of intelligence collection, but the ending of this book was very disappointing. The historical coverage was in-depth, and unearthed a lot of information previously unknown about an ultra-secret intelligence gathering entity, but maybe due to the sensitivity of more current classified material, Bamford ran out of topics to cover. There was a lot that went on aft
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Jan 08, 2010
columbialion
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The ultimate journey through recently de-classified true accounts of the NSA. As readable as it is alarming.
Dec 12, 2010
Interesting format. Great info about the NSA. Good detail about the USS Liberty incident.
Oct 04, 2010
wally
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good read. informative. there's some stuff in here about the uss liberty that i hadn't come across other places. voices on tape make for a persuasive argument. lots of other info. well worth a read.
Mar 02, 2010
Rob
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Interesting look at the history of the NSA and what they do, can lag at times but over all is very good.
Oct 08, 2007
Chris
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In this day and age of secret wiretapping and secret courts issuing secret warrants, it is important to know about America's past struggles with the balance between civil liberties and safety. James Bamford in this book and his earlier one on the NSA, the Puzzle Palace, shines a flashlight on the murky world of the NSA and other shadowy organizations. This books gives one an idea of how pervasive and invasive past American efforts to track it's "enemies" have been.
Jun 22, 2009
Enoch
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The writing can be better but it is an informative book. The world of intelligence and espionage is alot different and they provide explainations for certain events. I also understood the world of government politics since I see it on a day-to-day basis. My favorite chapter is "Blood". Enjoy!
