03-25-2004, 18:27
|
#1
|
|
Consigliere
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland (at last)
Posts: 8,823
|
The Puzzle Palace
This is James Bamford's original book on the NSA, published in the early 80s. I read Body of Secrets first, then picked this up to have something to read on the plane earlier this week when I forgot to bring reading materials. I actually have about 40 pages left, but I might as well review it now.
I can see why NSA didn't want it published. All kinds of detail on the agency, including security measures at Fort Meade. Discussion of domestic watch lists and other internal spying done by the agency. Lots of overlap with Body of Secrets.
The author clearly has a liberal bias, particularly with respect to Church committee stuff, but the book is a good read. Good stories about defectors from NSA. Good history of cryptological activities in the US. I don't know how much of what he says is accurate, but it is an interesting and worthwhile book.
|
|
Roguish Lawyer is offline
|
|
|
03-26-2004, 02:10
|
#2
|
|
Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 796
|
I thought it was a pretty good book, as was it's successor. I'd recommend both to anyone interested in intel, with the caveat that not everything in print is true and/or accurate....
|
|
Radar Rider is offline
|
|
|
03-26-2004, 02:16
|
#3
|
|
Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 995
|
Does anyone other than the author, the NSA, and the hunter/killer force on his tail know how much of it is true? Unless it's a very tense, thrilling read, it seems to me that reading a non-fiction book that may be entirely fictive is an exercise in futility.
On the otherhand, I just got up... maybe I'm cranky.
Solid
|
|
Solid is offline
|
|
|
03-26-2004, 04:02
|
#4
|
|
Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 796
|
I'll admit that "The Puzzle Palace" and "Body of Secrets" can both be dry reading, at times. I think that you first have to have an interest in intel, bureaucracy, and to a degree, conspiracies. If you like conspiracies or are of the belief that the government is out to screw you, then both books should be satisfying. And as relates to bureacracy: In many instances, there is such excruciating detail as to make one want to avoid government service forever.
Neither book is "fiction" written as non-fiction. Bamford did a great job in both books, considering that he is an NSA outsider. As to the veracity of the information contained in either book, I have no knowledge.
|
|
Radar Rider is offline
|
|
|
03-26-2004, 09:44
|
#5
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
|
I liked them both. I have Body of Secrets. I loaned the other one out and never got it back.
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
|
|
NousDefionsDoc is offline
|
|
|
03-26-2004, 09:57
|
#6
|
|
BANNED USER
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 368
|
My brother worked for the NSA for 12 years (4 AD, 8 Civilian) He read Puzzle Palace and said most of what the guy wrote, while entertaining, was BS.
|
|
Sigi is offline
|
|
|
03-26-2004, 23:47
|
#7
|
|
Area Commander
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: VA
Posts: 1,149
|
Anyone who works for the "Man" will say it's B.S. by default.
No statement, no poly, no waiver..............
__________________
The question is never simply IF someone is lying, it's WHY. - Lie To Me
We must always fear the wicked. But there is another kind of evil that we must fear the most, and that is the indifference of good men - Boondock Saints
Iraq was never lost and Afghanistan was never quite the easy good war. Those in the media too often pile on and follow the polls rather than offer independent analysis. Campaign rhetoric and politics are one thing - the responsibility of governance is quite another.
- Victor Davis Hanson
|
|
AngelsSix is offline
|
|
|
03-27-2004, 00:35
|
#8
|
|
Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 796
|
Quote:
Originally posted by AngelsSix
Anyone who works for the "Man" will say it's B.S. by default.
No statement, no poly, no waiver..............
|
I can neither confirm nor deny if that's true. 
|
|
Radar Rider is offline
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
| Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
|
Poetry is for Fags
|
NousDefionsDoc |
General Discussions |
95 |
02-20-2009 10:15 |
|
Crossword Puzzle
|
Solid |
The Comedy Zone |
3 |
05-05-2004 16:29 |
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 17:09.
|
|
|
Linear Mode
