Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency by James Bamford is an extremely detailed historical analysis of the NSA, from its origins just after the Second World War, to the time period of the late 1990s.
This book is perhaps too detailed for someone who wants an overview of the history of the NSA. Bamford presents an entire chapter on the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, for instance. This, in itself, could be the subject of an entire book.
Also, Bamford treats, again in great detail, the NSA's failings to keep up with the expansion of technologies in the late 90s, including the rise of the internet and emails. He presents these subjects as if they are ongoing (as the book was written at that time), when we all know that the NSA now has a firm grasp on this type of surveillance, and has had so for many years. So, the book sounds out of date in these sections.
So, although there are odd parts of Bamford’s book, it still holds the attention of the reader with an average interest in the NSA; it is certainly an education in the topic.
This book is perhaps too detailed for someone who wants an overview of the history of the NSA. Bamford presents an entire chapter on the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, for instance. This, in itself, could be the subject of an entire book.
Also, Bamford treats, again in great detail, the NSA's failings to keep up with the expansion of technologies in the late 90s, including the rise of the internet and emails. He presents these subjects as if they are ongoing (as the book was written at that time), when we all know that the NSA now has a firm grasp on this type of surveillance, and has had so for many years. So, the book sounds out of date in these sections.
So, although there are odd parts of Bamford’s book, it still holds the attention of the reader with an average interest in the NSA; it is certainly an education in the topic.
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