Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
313th out of 427 books
—
361 voters
Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency
The National Security Agency is the world’s most powerful, most far-reaching espionage. Now with a new afterword describing the security lapses that preceded the attacks of September 11, 2001, Body of Secrets takes us to the inner sanctum of America’s spy world. In the follow-up to his bestselling Puzzle Palace, James Banford reveals the NSA’s hidden role in the most volat...more
Paperback, 784 pages
Published
April 30th 2002
by Anchor
(first published January 1st 2001)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,302)
Possibly the best an outsider could do (if behind the times).
Ages ago, when I was a kid, I read David Kahn's Codebreakers. And there was this photo of an elongated A-shaped building and one chapter. Haven't been inside, but have visited the bldgs next to it. Then Jim Bamford writes The Puzzle Palace which is set before 1980 (I can easily tell), and he tries to describes an organization he can't get inside. I was able to take a photo of both just a couple years ago at an NSA history meeting.
Of th...more
Ages ago, when I was a kid, I read David Kahn's Codebreakers. And there was this photo of an elongated A-shaped building and one chapter. Haven't been inside, but have visited the bldgs next to it. Then Jim Bamford writes The Puzzle Palace which is set before 1980 (I can easily tell), and he tries to describes an organization he can't get inside. I was able to take a photo of both just a couple years ago at an NSA history meeting.
Of th...more
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...more
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...more
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 up the long and wande...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 up the long and wande...more
This was a frustrating book to read at times! Body of Secrets is a strangely two-tone book: the first 60% or so is historical, covering the National Security Agency's involvement in conflicts past. The last 40%, on the other hand, mostly covers the current-day (~2001) agency.
This is partially a practical melding—Bamford wanted to update his picture of the agency due to the long time since he published The Puzzle Palace, the first significant look at the NSA published in 1982—but it means the boo...more
This is partially a practical melding—Bamford wanted to update his picture of the agency due to the long time since he published The Puzzle Palace, the first significant look at the NSA published in 1982—but it means the boo...more
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): "The Internet wraps the...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): "The Internet wraps the...more
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 get out of So...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 get out of So...more
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."
I am more of a history buff. And I like reading about...more
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."
I am more of a history buff. And I like reading about...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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.
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 US and blame...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 US and blame...more
The National Security Agency is the world’s most powerful, most far-reaching espionage. Now with a new afterword describing the security lapses that preceded the attacks of September 11, 2001, Body of Secrets takes us to the inner sanctum of America’s spy world. In the follow-up to his bestselling Puzzle Palace, James Banford reveals the NSA’s hidden role in the most volatile world events of the past, and its desperate scramble to meet the frightening challenges of today and tomorrow.
Here is a s...more
Here is a s...more
very interesting. perspectives of NSA every American should know about, for their dedication to the work; the amazing achievements accomplished; the political wills involved and the historical events we never heard much about. on the last item I was particularly disturbed by events in Vietnam Nam and on the ground firing the six-day war.
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.
I started off enjoying this book as it went through the early activities of spying that occurred during the 50's and 60's, mostly starting during the Eisenhower administration. The book held my interest til about a third of the way through it when Bamford started spewing out names and dates of minor events and happenings. I picked up the book to read about spy games and technology, not the interpersonal lives of a deputy director in 1978 and his subordinates. If you're looking for gripping secre...more
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.
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.
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.
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 the...more
Wer sich für Spionage und Überwachung interessiert, kommt an diesem Buch nicht vorbei. Die Geschichte des Geheimdienstes, der längst mächtiger ist als die CIA als spannende Historie mit genau der richtigen Prise Tech-Talk. Ich wollte sowieso immer Spion sein.
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.
Bamford's 'The Puzzle Palace' was an excellent book - a real page turner - factual and entertaining. This update is full of great information, but takes a bit of effort to slug your way through.
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.
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 coul...more
Outstanding and accurate.Curtain
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
August 2007
A fascinating look at the NSA. Very detailed history.
A fascinating look at the NSA. Very detailed history.
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...more
The ultimate journey through recently de-classified true accounts of the NSA. As readable as it is alarming.
Dec 12, 2010
Steven
added it
Interesting format. Great info about the NSA. Good detail about the USS Liberty incident.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
