The Puzzle Palace

[Roguish Lawyer]

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.