Bamford has been writing about the inner workings of the nsa since his first book, the shadow factory. For 30 years, james bamford obsessively documented the secretive. The author of a pioneering work on the nsa delivers a new book of. I first read this report on the nsa national security agency in 1987 and was so moved by author james bamford descriptions that i visited fort meade, maryland to verify its existence. The puzzle palace a book written by james bamford and published in 1982. Now bamford describes the transformation of the nsa since 911, as the agency increasingly turns its hightech ears on the american public. James bamfords 1982 classic is an eyeopening exploration of the national security agency the nsa. As i discuss in my book the shadow factory, voip presents a problem for nsa, but there are indications that nsa may have gotten secret cooperation from some of the voip companies. In 1982, the nsa was far less known than the cia and other alphabet agencies, but it had no less lurid a history. Bamford was first attracted to the subject of international espionage after reading the u2 affair by david wise and thomas b. It is the first major, popular work devoted entirely to the history and workings of the national security agency. Anatomy of the ultrasecret national security agency. The book is impressive not just for its breadth, but also. A report on nsa, americas most secret agency by bamford, james and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
James bamford is the nations foremost expert on the national security agency nsa. In addition to describing the role of the nsa and explaining how it was organized, the book exposed details of a massive eavesdropping operation called operation shamrock. James bamford first penetrated the wall of silence surrounding the nsa in 1982, with the muchtalkedabout us bestseller the puzzle palace. He was threatened with prosecution in 1982 for revealing the secrets of. Bamford has taught at the university of california, berkeley, as a distinguished visiting professor and has written for the new york times magazine, the atlantic, harpers, and many other. Apr 25, 2001 in 1982, james bamford published the puzzle palace, his first expose on the national security agency. The nsas historical account summarizes bamfords work thusly.
Bamford to spend time at nsa where he obtained some of the material for this book. Bamfords 1982 book is a reminder to anyone who thinks that domestic. In 1982, james bamford published the puzzle palace, his first expose. A cryptologic veterans analysis of body of secrets us. Bamford describes the origins of the supersecret agency during the first world war, and takes the reader through all key events and personnel into the early years of the reagan administration. When the author james bamford published his book the puzzle palace in 1982. In his book, james bamford takes a behindthescenes. The puzzle palace was published on schedule, in september 1982. Below you will find the correct answer to 1982 james bamford book about the nsa, with the crossword clue, if you need more help finishing your crossword continue your navigation and try our search function. Oct 14, 2008 bamford has been writing about the inner workings of the nsa since his first book, the shadow factory. James bamford born september 15, 1946 is an american bestselling author and journalist noted for his writing about united states intelligence agencies, especially the national security agency nsa. The ultrasecret nsa from 911 to the eavesdropping on america doubleday. The nsa has long eluded public scrutiny, but the puzzle palace pe. Intelligence officials have been dreading publication of this book, and they.
The idea of writing a book about the nsa had occurred to me several years earlier. Folio nsa first became aware of bamfords intentions to write a book in march 1978 when we received the first of 11 foia requests. Sep 04, 2008 james bamford first penetrated the wall of silence surrounding the nsa in 1982, with the muchtalkedabout us bestseller the puzzle palace. The puzzle palace 23 september 1982 edition open library. During the war in vietnam, i spent three years in the navy at pacific fleet headquarters in hawaii. James bamford s the puzzle palace was a national bestseller when it was first published and now regarded as a classic. He was threatened with prosecution in 1982 for revealing the secrets. The book the nsa tried to suppress with a startling new afterword on the geoffrey arthur prime spy case. Those few details in the public domain have come either through treachery namely, revelations made public by defectors in the early 1960s or the tireless efforts of a writer, james bamford, whose 1982 book the puzzle palace. Why uncle sams ears are burning the washington post. The latest book by james bamford, an expert on the national security agency, reconstructs the agencys recent history. Body of secrets by james bamford the author of a pioneering work on the nsa delivers a new book of revelations about the mysterious agencys coverups, eavesdropping and secret missions. Hartung may 27, 2001 body of secrets anatomy of the ultrasecret national security agency from the cold war through the dawn of a new century by james bamford doubleday.
James bamford has been the preeminent expert on the national security agency since his reporting revealed the agencys existence in the 1980s. The book is impressive not just for its breadth, but also its depth. A report on americas most secret agency, was published in 1982. Perhaps an impromptu book club would narrow the gap. The puzzle palace is a book written by james bamford and published in 1982. James bamford, whose 1982 book about the nsa, the puzzle palace, and others have said the yakima research station played a major role for decades in the nsa.
James bamford broke new ground in intelligence agency research, and his. Published in 1982, it was the first book ever written about the national security agency and it became an immediate bestseller. Nsa united states national security agency revelations. As it is a nonfiction work i must admit that it is rather dry reading for the reader used to spyvsspy fictional excitement. How the nsa and its allies tried to stop the first book.
Three decades later, james bamfords pronouncement feels. Our relations with him since that initial contact, though proper, have been conducted at arms length. Jan 11, 2009 but its a fair bet that bamford will find a way to work the bloodbath at the taj mahal hotel into the long n. Inside the national security agency, americas most secret intelligence.
Apr 25, 2001 body of secrets by james bamford the author of a pioneering work on the nsa delivers a new book of revelations about the mysterious agencys coverups, eavesdropping and secret missions. For the september 2014 issue of wired magazine bamford spent three days in moscow interviewing edward snowden, the most time any journalist has spent with him there. Jun 10, 20 in 1982, long before most americans ever had to think about warrantless eavesdropping, the journalist james bamford published the puzzle palace. Oct 02, 2014 the idea of writing a book about the nsa had occurred to me several years earlier. Oct 11, 2008 the latest book by james bamford, an expert on the national security agency, reconstructs the agencys recent history. The puzzle palace a report on nsa americas most secret agency. In body of secrets he offers shocking new details about. Apr 04, 20 james bamford, whose 1982 book about the nsa, the puzzle palace, and others have said the yakima research station played a major role for decades in the nsa s echelon program, a global. For reasons that are not altogether clear, ltgen hayden, usaf, dirnsa, invited mr. Body of secrets by james bamford schneier on security. It is the first major, popular work devoted entirely to the history and workings of the national security agency, a united states intelligence organization. A report on americas most secret agency was the first detailed study of the nsa.
In 1982, james bamford published the puzzle palace, an unprecedented journalistic look at the national security agency. The puzzle palace a book written by james bamford and. Twenty years makes a lot of difference in the intelligence biz. James bamford, a massachusetts writer who has a law degree and who specializes in. James bamford born september 15, 1946 is an american bestselling author, journalist and documentary producer widely noted for his writing about united states intelligence agencies, especially the national security agency nsa. The national security agency is the largest, most secretive, and potentially most intrusive american intelligence agency. Nsa closing secretive listening post north of yakima q. In 1982, james bamford published the puzzle palace, an unprecedented. It dwarfs the cia in budget, manpower, and influence.
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