Why we chose this book

March 26, 2008 | 1927 GMT

The CIA’s counterpart is the National Security Agency, which does global eavesdropping, encryption, breaking of encryption and so on. In many ways it is more influential than the CIA and certainly better funded. It looks at intelligence very differently than the CIA. You can’t understand modern intelligence—everywhere—without reading both Dulles and Bamford’s history of the NSA.

Back to top

The Puzzle Palace

On March 30, 2008 | 0201 GMT Sabbot77 said:

Bamford wrote another book about the NSA called the Puzzle Palace. The Puzzle Palace was written back in the early 80's I believe, Bamfords fist installment on the NSA.

Puzzle Palace

On April 1, 2008 | 0112 GMT Warrior&Scholar said:

Your correct, however in an age of a vastly different threat matrix and Moore's Law. A reader inquiring how "No Such Agency" gathers, analyzes, and disseminates data to thier clients, and how they are responding and adapting to the evolution of current threats is better off with Body of Secrets.

Puzzle Palace

On April 1, 2008 | 0621 GMT Sabbot77 said:

I agree completely. A lot has changed since The Puzzle Palace, but I did enjoy reading it as a young Air Force member at the time. "No Such Agency", I like that.

No Such Agency

On April 1, 2008 | 2257 GMT Warrior&Scholar said:

That was the nickname that agency insiders gave to the organization in the 50's when the government didnt offically acknowledge it's existance.

Thanks for the info

On April 2, 2008 | 0029 GMT Sabbot77 said:

Thanks for the info, I learned something new today. It would be interesting to talk to some of the old timers (I say that with respect) who worked at the NSA during the early years.