The Shadow Factory
James Bamford has been the preeminent expert on the National Security Agency since his reporting revealed the agency's existence in the 1980s. Now Bamford describes the transformation of the NSA since 9/11, as the agency increasingly turns its high-tech ears on the American public.The Shadow Factory reconstructs how the NSA missed a chance to thwart the 9/11 hijackers and details how this mistake has led to a heightening of domestic surveillance. In disturbing detail, Bamford describes exactly how every American's data is being mined and what is being done with it. Any reader who thinks America's liberties are being protected by Congress will be shocked and appalled at what is revealed here.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Stats for nerds
9recommend
30mentions
19people
2011–2024years
37% recommend63% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Is this a thing?...
I never thought about it before... but after reading the "The Shadow Factory" I totally understand they could do that...
It's halvings are correlated to right before a presidential elections which seems suspicious.
But why? Is it a giant honeypot that got out of hand?
- THESE:
1. "The Shadow Factory" by James Bamford James Bamford takes you behind the scenes of the NSA's domestic surveillance operations, providing an unparalleled look into their methods and motivations. With access to exclusive sources, Bamford delves into the agency's quest for information on modern threats while raising questions about privacy and security.
2. "Fake: Forgery, Lies, & eBay" by Kenneth Walton Discover the world of art scams and online manipulation through the lens of eBay's unregulated auction system. Walton's account details how con artists exploited the platform, luring unsuspecting bidders and amassing fortunes. This captivating narrative sheds light on both high-profile scammers and their unsuspecting victims, prompting shifts in eBay's policies.
3. "The Flying Tigers: The Untold Story of the American Pilots Who Waged a Secret War Against Japan" by Sam Kleiner Sam Kleiner unveils the thrilling tale of American pilots who, before Pearl Harbor, were secretly recruited to aid Chinese allies against Japan. As events unfolded, they found themselves on the front lines of the Pacific war. This untold story sheds light on their bravery and the pivotal role they played during a critical time.
4. "The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit" by Michael Finkel Delve into the fascinating life of Christopher Knight, who disappeared into the wilderness for nearly three decades. Finkel's narrative explores Knight's survival in harsh conditions, his resourcefulness, and the mysteries surrounding his isolated existence. It's a thought-provoking exploration of solitude, community, and the human spirit.
5."The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession" by Michael Finkel Unearth the astonishing true-crime account of Stéphane Breitwieser, one of the world's most prolific art thieves. Finkel delves into Breitwieser's audacious exploits, shedding light on his motivations, the world of stolen art, and the complex dynamics of his criminal pursuits.
6. "Permanent Record" by Edward Snowden Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who exposed mass surveillance by the US government, opens up about his life and the events that led him to expose the system he helped build. This memoir provides an insider's perspective on the motives, challenges, and consequences of his actions.
7. "September's Camera" by Jeffrey Scarborough Jeff Scarborough recounts his harrowing experience as the sole cameraman during the 9/11 attacks. His lens captured the unfolding tragedy and its aftermath, offering a unique perspective on that fateful day and a career spent capturing human fragility in various forms.
These non-fiction gems offer thought-provoking narratives, from the hidden world of espionage to tales of survival and resilience. Dive into these pages and embark on a journey through history, art, and human stories that have shaped our world. Happy reading!
- The names may have changed but the people didn't. We funded Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and provided numerous FIM-92 stingers which after the war was over turned into the buyback fiasco, where many of these stingers were never recovered.
Not to mention the third-party plausible denability effect, through which arms may not have passed directly to "Muj" or Taliban, but were supplied by the US.
So to say the "Taliban" were never armed is completely factually incorrect, both in relevance to the Soviet war and the current one.
If you want to learn more about the US involvement as the number one arms dealer in the word, the revised Shadow Factory book is out and worth the long read.
- Once again, I suggest everyone interested read James Bamford's book Shadow Factory.
All these revelations regarding call metadata, PRISM collection (albeit under a different codename at the time), modern fiber taps, and even more are covered.
You'll learn about how they shave fiber optic cables in order to intercept traffic and not be detected. You'll find out about the various facilities already reported, along with others like the NSA Georgia facility. You'll find out exactly where on what beach these fiber lines run in and out of. It's a very well-researched book.
You'll learn a lot more than what's been verified with these leaks.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Shadow-Factory-Eavesdropping-Ameri...
- I just started Bamford's The Puzzle Palace a couple of days ago. I'm only about 1/4 of the way through, but it's extremely interesting already. From what I've already seen, I'd have no problem recommending it to other HN readers who are interested in the history behind the NSA.
I'm guessing his other books (Body of Secrets and The Shadow Factory) are also going to be great reads.
- They don't have to scan them all. Only the ones uploaded by the people on their target list. As for access, I'm sure they have it. Regarding computational power, the NSA is generally reputed to have enough supercomputers to fill a football field. I'm sure their new data center in Utah will be greatly enlarging their capabilities.
I'd suggest you read James Bamford's three books on the NSA for further insight. (The Puzzle Palace, Body of Secrets, and The Shadow Factory.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bamford#Books
