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James Bamford exposed the existence of the top-secret National Security Agency in the bestselling The Puzzle Palace and continued to probe into its workings in his follow-up bestseller, Body of Secrets. Now Bamford discloses inside, often shocking information about the transformation of the NSA in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 2001.
In THE SHADOW FACTORY, Bamford shows how the NSA’s failure to detect the presence of two of the 9/11 hijackers inside the United States led the NSA to abandon its long-held policy of spying only on enemies outside the country. Instead, after 9/11 it turned its almost limitless ability to listen in on friend and foe alike over to the Bush Administration to use as a weapon in the war on terror. With unrivaled access to sources and documents, Bamford details how the agency has conducted domestic surveillance without court approval, and he frames it in the context of the NSA’s ongoing hunt for information about today’s elusive enemies.
THE SHADOW FACTORY is a riveting read for anyone concerned about civil liberties and America’s security in the post-9/11 world.
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The Shadow Factory reviewed by Larry Ver Hage
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Mr. Bamford displays an intricate knowledge of the workings of the NSA and the book is a commendable explanation of its function and structure. Anyone wishing to understand what is going on in the field of signals intelegence today will find his research fascinating and informative. He has developed the subject matter very well and has built on his previous work of the subject. Unfortunately his anaylsis of the facts is colored by his own ideology this detracts from his objectivity and credibility. Mr. Bamford seems to have a notion of privacy that is out of proportion with reality both factually and jurisprudentially
It would be helpful to develop a more balanced anaylsis of the role NSA plays in providing security for the continued existence to this constitutional Republic. Maybe it is time to ask what is privacy and where does personal privacy impinge on public deception. The Republic cannot last if the people dedicated to its demise are shielded by an exagerated and lochnerized notion of constitutional privacy.
Rating: 
(3
out of 5) @ 2009-01-04
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Curtailment of Rights?
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This is a book that is important to read to understand the slippery slope `logic' used that has led to a curtailment of some civil liberties within America--this opinion I expect will generate some opposing opinions. The author tells the story of how various government agencies were aware of the activities of some 9-11 terrorists, but the agencies were unable or unwilling to communicate internally and externally with each other--turf wars run amuck describes the situation. This inability to communicate ensured a failure to connect the dots thus ensuring the success of the terrorist attack.
The simplified solution generated by the professionals was to propose and initiate changes to allow for the surveillance of all Americans instead of fixing the communication problems and targeting the bad guys. The solution appears to be more of a power grab at the expense of overall individual Constitutional and legal rights. This book provides a discussion about the telecommunication laws in America and how they were used and abused in the past, primarily by the NSA. Some historically unsavory figures in U.S. history (for example, Admiral Poindexter of Contra-gate fame) reappear with connections to some of the most potentially intrusive surveillance projects imagined. But the information generated and stored is so vast that the NSA has admitted difficulty storing it much less processing or reviewing it for intelligence information and operational information with all its advanced super computers, technology and expertise. General Hayden (head of the NSA and then the CIA) is the key figure to follow due to his leadership position, and I'm not sure he was up to the task despite his promotions and continued service.
This book is upsetting at the least, but is important to understand where America may be headed (i.e. less free with "Big Brother" listening and watching). I do not argue with the need for the intelligence agencies to operate in a covert matter but it has to be within the law. This book should be read in conjunction with Jane Mayer's "The Dark Side" to see where America has lost its mythical moral high ground.
Rating: 
(5
out of 5) @ 2008-12-28
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Fascinating or fascism?
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I found this book to be fascinating and repellent at the same time. The author opens up the shadowy world of the NSA in a clear and detailed way. I'm surprised that he was able to obtain and write about all the details without coming under NSA surveillance or pressure himself.
I found myself repelled by the overreach of the NSA in terms of their obvious unconcern about civil rights. I'm sure that Bamford probably knows more than he's revealed here, and that is truly scary.
Very slow going in spots. Way too much detail about company profiles and the like that didn't move the narrative along.
Definitely worth a read if you wonder what the NSA actually does.
Rating:
(3
out of 5) @ 2008-12-06
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The Shadow Factory
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Quite an eye-opener into the "vacuum cleaner" methodology for monitoring the world's communications. Completely engrossing from start to finish. James Bamford provides wonderful insight into the workings of NSA, and the changes in collection techniques necessitated by our constantly evolving technology. Highly recommended reading for anyone interested in the business of intelligence gathering methods, and for understanding the magnitude of the analysis task of the "take."
Rating:
(5
out of 5) @ 2008-12-05
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Interesting
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The book is interesting, although not too surprising if you know anything about current events. While the content is good, the read is a little slow at times. Also, there are a few instances where the facts are just plain wrong...
Rating:
(3
out of 5) @ 2008-12-04
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