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. As it is a non-fiction work I must admit that it is rather dry reading for the reader used to spy-vs-spy fictional excitement. Nonetheless it is extremely well written and will inform (and shock) the average reader as to the depth (and history) of signal intelligence by the United States Government. It has been rumored that Bamford is working on a sequel. The Puzzle Palace was published in 1983, this is 1999, one can only imagine ...

It is incredible that someone could have written this book, given the lengths to which the US and other governments went to in order to hide the very existence of such a major organisation. But time and again Bamford slips behind the scenes, behind the walls of secrecy, to tell the world the intimate secrets of the NSA.

This, even after so many years, is the definitive history of the National Security Agency. Or at least the most definitive work ever to have been available to the general public. It starts at the start in World War One, and traces the development of what has become a monster, frequently acting beyond the law and in clear violation of basic rights of privacy and freedom of speech.

It is not a history of codebreaking or of the science of interception, but rather a history of the organisation that was set up to do this, and though we are told of the machines and systems that do the work, the tale revolves around the people who defended their secrets and sought out others.

It is fascinating reading, pitched at an average understanding, and accessible to the people who should be most concerned about the activities of the NSA. If it has a flaw it is a simple one - it needs updating.

In the wake of the S11 tragedies, it is indisputable that there is a need for such an organisation. Never let it be said otherwise. But what of the collateral damage to millions of innocent individuals, American citizens with nothing but love for their country, who are regularly spied upon by the NSA?

A disturbing and thoughtful book.

Recommended reading for anybody with an interest in codebreaking and communications security. Here you will find details of some of the leading figures in the "industry" not available anywhere else. Essential for your bookshelf.

I read the book when it was first published in 1983, and I was absolutely blown away with Mr. Bamford's detailed knowledge of the NSA and related intelligence-gathering methods of that time. At the time the book was published, I had been working in this area for the Navy and I found this book filled with (among many other things) knowledge regarding satellite intelligence capability (at the time) which -- well, frankly, I was surprised to see some of it in this book. That's why I'm astounded at some of the content.
I recommend it whole-heartedly to anyone who's interested in observing how the U.S. intelligence community (according to Mr. Bamford) conducted (and, I might suggest, still conducts) its affairs. I can't wait to read his new book!

I did a tour of duty some 30 years ago as a 'spook' with the Naval Security Group and have knowledge of some of the events and SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) processes Bamford writes about. Bamford's descriptions of the mechanics of SIGINT operations and quotations from interviews with former military SIGINT operators ring true. Bamford starts with a coherent description of how NSA (National Security Agency) grew out of the communications intercept and cryptologic successes of WWII. Then he has sections that provide detailed accounts of major Cold War incidents that have already been widely written about (Ivy Bells, the Pueblo, the Liberty, Maddox) along with accounts of some activities that have not been so widely written about from a SIGINT perspective (Suez incident, Africa, Cuba) and a provocative, thought provoking perspective on the successes and failures of SIGINT in Vietnam. Finally he devotes, in my opinion, far too much space to chapters describing the details of NSA buildings, computers and bureaucratic infighting that will only interest hardcore SIGINT geeks or foreign intelligence operatives.

Many incidents Bamford writes about are, by definition, controversial and there are other seemingly well-researched accounts that provide different perspectives than found in this book. I recommend you consult those other sources as well if you wish to get a more complete picture of specific incidents. I give this book a three star rating because the writing is not that good and it covers such a broad range of material that few readers will be interested in everything he writes about. Finally, many of Bamford's assertions are based on still-classified documents that Bamford says were somehow made available to him for this book. Who knows?

Bamford has trod important ground by presenting a fully-realized essay on the NSA. There are, of course, holes of information and areas where the author's viewpoint is asserted, but these should be considered within the remarkable achievement of the whole. Bamford has dared to deliver a single volume text on an organization whose currency is secrets. That he at times maintained an objective and exhaustive stance is worthy of recognition. For fans of espionage and the real-world uses of cryptography in the intelligence community, this book delivers on the promise to reveal the nuts and bolts of the NSA. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author "Race Against Evil."

I checked this book out by accident while expecting to get "The Puzzle Palace", and it turned out to be a wonderful mistake. The story held my attention for many days, and I was hard-pressed to put it down at any point in time.

It's a compelling story of how the NSA came to be who they are today, while bringing those of us who had no idea what they are up to speed. Technological and math expertise is not expected; it's written from the perspective of a historian, not a technician.

The author's tone is, albeit slightly critical, quite down-to-earth; much of the story is told with quotes, anecdotes, letters, and other such information. Hundreds of documentary sources are listed at the end, as well, for those who desire to verify facts or continue research into specific matters.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about one of the most secretive government agencies; it's a narrated timeline from just before the birth of the NSA to the modern-day (2001) events just after the Y2K upgrades. Definitely worth having on the shelf.

The author has attempted to expand on his knowledge of cryptology in the Navy with a lot of imagination to round out the intreging subject. The book was removed from circulation for a while by a government agency due to some of the information contained in the book.