What do you think?
Rate this book
Deep State: Inside the Government Secrecy Industry
There is a hidden country within the United States. It was formed from the astonishing number of secrets held by the government and the growing ranks of secret-keepers given charge over them. The government secrecy industry speaks in a private language of codes and acronyms, and follows an arcane set of rules and customs designed to perpetuate itself, repel penetration, and deflect oversight. It justifies itself with the assertion that the American values worth preserving are often best sustained by subterfuge and deception.
There are indications that this deep state is crumbling. Necessary secrets are often impossible to keep, while frivolous secrets are kept forever. The entire system has fallen prey to political manipulation, with leaks carefully timed to advance agendas, and over-classification given to indefensible government activities.
DEEP STATE: INSIDE THE GOVERNMENT SECRECY INDUSTRY, written by two of the country’s most respected national security journalists, disassembles the secrecy apparatus of the United States and examines real-world trends that ought to trouble everyone from the most aggressive hawk to the fiercest civil libertarian. The book:
- Provides the fullest account to date of the National Security Agency’s controversial surveillance program first spun up in the dark days after 9/11.
- Examines President Obama’s attempt to reconcile his instincts as a liberal with the realities of executive power, and his use of the state secrets doctrine.
- Exposes how the public’s ubiquitous access to information has been the secrecy industry’s toughest opponent to date, and provides a full account of how WikiLeaks and other “sunlight” organizations are changing the government’s approach to handling sensitive information, for better and worse.
- Explains how the increased exposure of secrets affects everything from Congressional budgets to Area 51, from SEAL Team Six and Delta Force to the FBI, CIA, and NSA.
- Assesses whether the formal and informal mechanisms put in place to protect citizens from abuses by the American deep state work, and how they might be reformed.
DEEP STATE: INSIDE THE GOVERNMENT SECRECY INDUSTRY IS based on the authors’ insatiable curiosity for the ground truth and layered on a foundation of original and historical research as well as unprecedented access to lawmakers, intelligence agency heads, White House officials, and secret program managers. It draws on thousands of recently declassified documents and candid interviews with more than 100 military, industry, and government officials.
By the bestselling authors of THE COMMAND: DEEP INSIDE THE PRESIDENT’S SECRET ARMY: Marc Ambinder, editor at large at The Week, contributing editor at GQ and The Atlantic, who has covered Washington for CBS News and ABC News; and D.B. Grady, a correspondent for The Atlantic, national security columnist for The Week, and former U.S. Army paratrooper and Afghanistan veteran.
There are indications that this deep state is crumbling. Necessary secrets are often impossible to keep, while frivolous secrets are kept forever. The entire system has fallen prey to political manipulation, with leaks carefully timed to advance agendas, and over-classification given to indefensible government activities.
DEEP STATE: INSIDE THE GOVERNMENT SECRECY INDUSTRY, written by two of the country’s most respected national security journalists, disassembles the secrecy apparatus of the United States and examines real-world trends that ought to trouble everyone from the most aggressive hawk to the fiercest civil libertarian. The book:
- Provides the fullest account to date of the National Security Agency’s controversial surveillance program first spun up in the dark days after 9/11.
- Examines President Obama’s attempt to reconcile his instincts as a liberal with the realities of executive power, and his use of the state secrets doctrine.
- Exposes how the public’s ubiquitous access to information has been the secrecy industry’s toughest opponent to date, and provides a full account of how WikiLeaks and other “sunlight” organizations are changing the government’s approach to handling sensitive information, for better and worse.
- Explains how the increased exposure of secrets affects everything from Congressional budgets to Area 51, from SEAL Team Six and Delta Force to the FBI, CIA, and NSA.
- Assesses whether the formal and informal mechanisms put in place to protect citizens from abuses by the American deep state work, and how they might be reformed.
DEEP STATE: INSIDE THE GOVERNMENT SECRECY INDUSTRY IS based on the authors’ insatiable curiosity for the ground truth and layered on a foundation of original and historical research as well as unprecedented access to lawmakers, intelligence agency heads, White House officials, and secret program managers. It draws on thousands of recently declassified documents and candid interviews with more than 100 military, industry, and government officials.
By the bestselling authors of THE COMMAND: DEEP INSIDE THE PRESIDENT’S SECRET ARMY: Marc Ambinder, editor at large at The Week, contributing editor at GQ and The Atlantic, who has covered Washington for CBS News and ABC News; and D.B. Grady, a correspondent for The Atlantic, national security columnist for The Week, and former U.S. Army paratrooper and Afghanistan veteran.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2013
34 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 7, 2014
Easily the most complex book I’ve read since Lori Wallach’s “Whose Trade Organization?” This book reveals the entire US Deep State apparatus that stubbornly chooses to spy on the American people instead of the bad guys – What are the components of the Deep State and what do they each do? The overall role of the Deep State is to control people and thus dissent and knowing about it’s role in detail helps Americans who don’t enjoy being controlled to actually think of maybe disagreeing with it. Our heroes, the Beatles and Monty Python rebelled against authority for it’s own sake on behalf of us common folk and in so doing they changed the world, AND they even safely helped the economy – Just so the common people in America should feel safe rebelling now against the authority for it’s own sake of the US Deep State as it positions itself to totally control dissent when the economy heads south.
There is so many acronyms in this book it becomes more of a reference book – hard to remember everything - GGHQ, FOIA, JSOC, COMINT – thank god I don’t have to read Code Breakers (Arkin) after this as a chaser. Remembering JSOC which Jeremy Scahill always talks about is important because it literally is “the secret army of the president of the United States” and is allowed only through the silence of congress. JSOC’s power is scary stuff all Americans should know. This book also gets into protecting computer systems and the rush for Quantam Computer technology.
In the end we learn that legal fiction allows anyone working for the NSA or CIA to do whatever the hell he or she wants today to anyone, however innocent, without facing prosecution for lawbreaking. Charming. Honestly, pretending it is still not about control – that it’s somehow - if you squint just right – still about “winning hearts and minds” was so last century. Really important book.
There is so many acronyms in this book it becomes more of a reference book – hard to remember everything - GGHQ, FOIA, JSOC, COMINT – thank god I don’t have to read Code Breakers (Arkin) after this as a chaser. Remembering JSOC which Jeremy Scahill always talks about is important because it literally is “the secret army of the president of the United States” and is allowed only through the silence of congress. JSOC’s power is scary stuff all Americans should know. This book also gets into protecting computer systems and the rush for Quantam Computer technology.
In the end we learn that legal fiction allows anyone working for the NSA or CIA to do whatever the hell he or she wants today to anyone, however innocent, without facing prosecution for lawbreaking. Charming. Honestly, pretending it is still not about control – that it’s somehow - if you squint just right – still about “winning hearts and minds” was so last century. Really important book.
April 16, 2014
Interesting take on the politics of secrets and the culture that makes it a tradeable currency. Will frighten some as to the liberties the NSA and the dozens of other secret agencies enact to collect data, all in the name of defense. Authors do a good job of identifying how data is collected and analyzed and by whom, and how different branches of government view the legality of intercepting the data. It also paints an often, decidedly, dysfunctional government that is incapable of keeping secrets. With so many more people having access to secrets, it will inevitably become harder and harder to maintain the current secrecy state. The last part that deals with cryptography and quantum computing is another realm that we will be hearing more about.... because he who has the best cryptographers and programmers will rule! Hello India, China, Israel.
April 2, 2013
I love this book. Is it the book of the year? No—it's the book of the decade.
(But I'm also the coauthor so I'm probably biased. I think you should buy a copy and find out for yourself. In fact, buy two copies just to be really sure.)
(But I'm also the coauthor so I'm probably biased. I think you should buy a copy and find out for yourself. In fact, buy two copies just to be really sure.)
March 13, 2024
This book is well written and easy to read/follow but the author does Way too much cheerleading for the Deep State... and the author views that Deep State mostly as the Spooks who are Protecting US. And not the Deep State that controls Every Level of Governments in USA and every institution. And the author appears Not to realize How Out Of Hand our Deep State become. When teamed with a Sock Puppet POTUS (like now with Brandon), how that Deep State can Steal Elections and Suppress Political Opposition... And Prosecute their opponents Until they're in prison, dead or submit.
May 6, 2026
For starters, this book is not an orthodox exposé, nor is it a breathless conspiracy narrative. Instead, it is a measured, deeply reported exploration of how secrecy actually works inside a modern democratic state—specifically, the United States.
The book operates in the uneasy space between necessity and excess, arguing that secrecy is neither inherently sinister nor inherently virtuous, but rather a complex system shaped by power, fear, bureaucracy, and human fallibility.
Written in the early 2010s, in the shadow of the post-9/11 security expansion and the seismic shock of the WikiLeaks disclosures, the book captures a moment when the architecture of secrecy was both at its most expansive and its most vulnerable.
More than a decade later, its insights feel less like a snapshot and more like a blueprint for understanding the trajectory of the modern “deep state.”
From its opening pages, the book establishes a tone of controlled tension. The anecdote about the hunt for Osama bin Laden is not merely a historical recollection; it is a case study in how secrets move—who gets access, how trust is built, and how political considerations shape intelligence-sharing.
The informal disclosure by CIA Director Leon Panetta to Congressman Mike Rogers reveals that secrecy is not just about hiding information from the public, but also about carefully managing its distribution within the government itself.
This layered secrecy—where even insiders are selectively informed—becomes a central theme. The “Gang of Eight” briefings illustrate the delicate balance between democratic oversight and operational necessity, a balance that is constantly negotiated rather than firmly established.
Ambinder and Grady argue that secrecy is foundational to the American political system.
From the earliest days of the republic, there has been an implicit bargain: the executive branch is allowed to operate in the shadows in exchange for protecting the nation and upholding its values. However, this bargain is inherently unstable.
The expansion of executive power, particularly after World War II and codified through legislation like the National Security Act of 1947, has dramatically increased the scope and scale of secrecy.
What began as a tool for safeguarding national security has evolved into a sprawling system that often shields not just necessary secrets, but also inconvenient truths, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and political embarrassments.
One of the book’s most fascinating contributions is its effort to categorize secrets. By dividing them into what the government knows, how it knows it, what it plans to do, and what capabilities it has developed, the authors provide a framework for understanding the otherwise amorphous concept of “classified information.”
This categorization is useful because it highlights that not all secrets are equal. Some are essential to national defense, while others are trivial or even absurd.
The example of the “silent flashless weapon” from World War II—later revealed to be the bow and arrow—serves as a reminder that classification can sometimes border on the ridiculous.
Yet, as the authors emphasize, the problem is not just that too many things are classified, but that there is no clear consensus on what should be.
The book also delves deeply into the mechanics of the secrecy apparatus. The American “deep state,” as described by Ambinder and Grady, is not a shadowy cabal operating outside the law, but rather a dense network of agencies, programs, and bureaucracies that collectively manage national security.
This network includes well-known entities like the CIA and FBI, as well as obscure offices with opaque mandates. The complexity of this system makes it difficult to oversee, even for those within it.
Congressional oversight, often cited as a key check on executive power, is shown to be fragmented and limited. Intelligence funding is dispersed across multiple committees and hidden within layers of budgetary obfuscation, making it nearly impossible for the public—or even most lawmakers—to fully grasp how resources are allocated.
A recurring theme throughout the book is the tension between secrecy and transparency. The authors argue that this tension is not only inevitable but also healthy.
Mechanisms like the Freedom of Information Act and investigative journalism serve as counterweights to the government’s tendency to classify information.
However, these mechanisms are imperfect. The process of declassification is slow, expensive, and often selective. Moreover, the rise of digital technology has fundamentally altered the dynamics of this tension. Information is easier to collect, store, and analyze than ever before, but it is also harder to contain.
The proliferation of security clearances and the democratization of data analysis tools have increased the likelihood of leaks, creating what the authors describe as a “motive force” within secrets themselves.
The discussion of leaks is one of the book’s most nuanced and thought-provoking sections.
Ambinder and Grady resist the temptation to paint leaks as either wholly good or wholly bad. Instead, they distinguish between “good leaks,” such as whistleblowing that exposes wrongdoing, and “bad leaks,” which are motivated by personal gain or political advantage.
This distinction is not always clear-cut, and the consequences of any given leak are often unpredictable.
The case of Bradley Manning (now known as Chelsea Manning) is presented as a turning point—a moment when the scale and nature of leaks fundamentally changed. Unlike traditional espionage, which involved the transfer of discrete pieces of information, Manning’s actions represented a wholesale extraction of data from the system. This shift underscores the vulnerability of a secrecy apparatus built for an analog age in a digital world.
The authors also explore the human dimension of secrecy. At its core, the system relies on individuals—analysts, officers, politicians—who must make judgment calls about what to reveal and what to conceal. These decisions are often made under conditions of uncertainty and pressure, with significant ethical and political implications.
The book highlights the paradox that while the system depends on secrecy, it is also undermined by the very people entrusted to maintain it. Leaks occur not just because of ideological convictions, but also because of ego, ambition, or even carelessness.
This human factor introduces an element of unpredictability that no amount of regulation can fully eliminate.
Another important aspect of the book is its examination of overclassification. The authors argue that the sheer volume of classified information dilutes the value of secrecy.
When too much is hidden, it becomes harder to identify what truly matters. This not only creates inefficiencies within the system but also fosters distrust among the public and international partners.
Jennifer Sims’s argument for reducing the number of secrets while increasing their protection is presented as a potential solution, though the authors acknowledge the practical challenges of implementing such reforms.
Overclassification is not just a policy problem; it is a cultural one, reinforced by incentives that favor caution over transparency.
The conclusion of the book brings these themes together with a series of reflections on the future of secrecy.
The anecdote about the accidental discharge of a Secret Service agent’s weapon near Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad serves as a striking example of how secrets can sometimes be preserved not through strict control, but through unexpected cooperation. It also illustrates the strategic dimension of secrecy—how decisions to reveal or conceal information can shape international perceptions and relationships.
The broader argument is that secrecy is not just about information, but about power and trust.
The authors ultimately suggest that the current system is unsustainable. The combination of technological change, institutional inertia, and public skepticism is putting increasing pressure on the secrecy apparatus. Informal checks, such as leaks and investigative journalism, are becoming more important as formal mechanisms struggle to keep pace.
At the same time, the government’s reluctance to adapt—whether by improving communication with the public or reforming classification practices—risks eroding the very trust that underpins the system.
Reading this book in 2026, it is impossible to ignore how prescient many of its observations have been. The “deep state” has not receded; if anything, it has become more entrenched and more complex. Advances in artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and global surveillance have expanded the scope of what governments can do in secret. At the same time, the tools available to journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens have also become more powerful.
The result is a landscape where secrecy and transparency are locked in an increasingly intense and dynamic संघर्ष.
In recent years, debates over data privacy, algorithmic governance, and digital surveillance have brought new dimensions to the questions raised by Ambinder and Grady.
The line between national security and domestic policy has become even more blurred, as governments grapple with threats that do not fit traditional categories. The rise of misinformation and the erosion of trust in institutions have further complicated the relationship between the state and the public.
In this context, the book’s emphasis on the implicit bargain between the government and the governed feels particularly relevant. That bargain is being renegotiated in real time, often in ways that are opaque and contested.
Moreover, the issue of overclassification remains unresolved. If anything, the volume of classified information has continued to grow, driven by the expansion of digital data and the increasing complexity of global threats. The challenge of managing this information—deciding what to keep secret and what to disclose—has become more acute.
At the same time, high-profile leaks and whistleblower cases continue to test the boundaries of the system, raising difficult questions about accountability and responsibility.
What makes ‘Deep State’ an engrossing read to this day, is not just its detailed reporting, but its refusal to offer easy answers. The authors do not advocate for the abolition of secrecy, nor do they defend the status quo.
Instead, they invite readers to grapple with the inherent tensions of a system that is both necessary and flawed.
This balanced approach is particularly valuable in an era where discussions of the “deep state” are often polarized and oversimplified.
The book also stands out for its clarity in explaining complex processes. By demystifying the inner workings of the secrecy apparatus, Ambinder and Grady empower readers to engage more critically with issues that are often shrouded in jargon and abstraction.
This educational aspect is one of the book’s greatest strengths, making it accessible to a broad audience without sacrificing depth.
In the end, this book is a study of power—how it is exercised, concealed, and contested. It shows that secrecy is not just a tool of governance, but a defining feature of modern statecraft.
The book’s central insight—that secrecy is a system, with its own rules, incentives, and pathologies—remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published.
As we move further into the 21st century, the questions raised by Ambinder and Grady are only becoming more urgent. How much secrecy is too much? Who gets to decide? And how can a system maintain accountability in a world where information is both abundant and controlled?
These are not questions with simple answers, but they are questions that cannot be ignored.
In 2026, this book matters because it provides a framework for thinking about these issues at a time when they are more complex and consequential than ever.
The deep state has indeed gone deeper, extending its reach into new domains and technologies. Yet the fundamental tensions that define it—the balance between security and liberty, secrecy and transparency, power and accountability—remain unchanged.
By illuminating these tensions, ‘Deep State’ continues to serve as an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand the hidden structures that shape our world.
A brilliant tome. Read it and be enlightened.
The book operates in the uneasy space between necessity and excess, arguing that secrecy is neither inherently sinister nor inherently virtuous, but rather a complex system shaped by power, fear, bureaucracy, and human fallibility.
Written in the early 2010s, in the shadow of the post-9/11 security expansion and the seismic shock of the WikiLeaks disclosures, the book captures a moment when the architecture of secrecy was both at its most expansive and its most vulnerable.
More than a decade later, its insights feel less like a snapshot and more like a blueprint for understanding the trajectory of the modern “deep state.”
From its opening pages, the book establishes a tone of controlled tension. The anecdote about the hunt for Osama bin Laden is not merely a historical recollection; it is a case study in how secrets move—who gets access, how trust is built, and how political considerations shape intelligence-sharing.
The informal disclosure by CIA Director Leon Panetta to Congressman Mike Rogers reveals that secrecy is not just about hiding information from the public, but also about carefully managing its distribution within the government itself.
This layered secrecy—where even insiders are selectively informed—becomes a central theme. The “Gang of Eight” briefings illustrate the delicate balance between democratic oversight and operational necessity, a balance that is constantly negotiated rather than firmly established.
Ambinder and Grady argue that secrecy is foundational to the American political system.
From the earliest days of the republic, there has been an implicit bargain: the executive branch is allowed to operate in the shadows in exchange for protecting the nation and upholding its values. However, this bargain is inherently unstable.
The expansion of executive power, particularly after World War II and codified through legislation like the National Security Act of 1947, has dramatically increased the scope and scale of secrecy.
What began as a tool for safeguarding national security has evolved into a sprawling system that often shields not just necessary secrets, but also inconvenient truths, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and political embarrassments.
One of the book’s most fascinating contributions is its effort to categorize secrets. By dividing them into what the government knows, how it knows it, what it plans to do, and what capabilities it has developed, the authors provide a framework for understanding the otherwise amorphous concept of “classified information.”
This categorization is useful because it highlights that not all secrets are equal. Some are essential to national defense, while others are trivial or even absurd.
The example of the “silent flashless weapon” from World War II—later revealed to be the bow and arrow—serves as a reminder that classification can sometimes border on the ridiculous.
Yet, as the authors emphasize, the problem is not just that too many things are classified, but that there is no clear consensus on what should be.
The book also delves deeply into the mechanics of the secrecy apparatus. The American “deep state,” as described by Ambinder and Grady, is not a shadowy cabal operating outside the law, but rather a dense network of agencies, programs, and bureaucracies that collectively manage national security.
This network includes well-known entities like the CIA and FBI, as well as obscure offices with opaque mandates. The complexity of this system makes it difficult to oversee, even for those within it.
Congressional oversight, often cited as a key check on executive power, is shown to be fragmented and limited. Intelligence funding is dispersed across multiple committees and hidden within layers of budgetary obfuscation, making it nearly impossible for the public—or even most lawmakers—to fully grasp how resources are allocated.
A recurring theme throughout the book is the tension between secrecy and transparency. The authors argue that this tension is not only inevitable but also healthy.
Mechanisms like the Freedom of Information Act and investigative journalism serve as counterweights to the government’s tendency to classify information.
However, these mechanisms are imperfect. The process of declassification is slow, expensive, and often selective. Moreover, the rise of digital technology has fundamentally altered the dynamics of this tension. Information is easier to collect, store, and analyze than ever before, but it is also harder to contain.
The proliferation of security clearances and the democratization of data analysis tools have increased the likelihood of leaks, creating what the authors describe as a “motive force” within secrets themselves.
The discussion of leaks is one of the book’s most nuanced and thought-provoking sections.
Ambinder and Grady resist the temptation to paint leaks as either wholly good or wholly bad. Instead, they distinguish between “good leaks,” such as whistleblowing that exposes wrongdoing, and “bad leaks,” which are motivated by personal gain or political advantage.
This distinction is not always clear-cut, and the consequences of any given leak are often unpredictable.
The case of Bradley Manning (now known as Chelsea Manning) is presented as a turning point—a moment when the scale and nature of leaks fundamentally changed. Unlike traditional espionage, which involved the transfer of discrete pieces of information, Manning’s actions represented a wholesale extraction of data from the system. This shift underscores the vulnerability of a secrecy apparatus built for an analog age in a digital world.
The authors also explore the human dimension of secrecy. At its core, the system relies on individuals—analysts, officers, politicians—who must make judgment calls about what to reveal and what to conceal. These decisions are often made under conditions of uncertainty and pressure, with significant ethical and political implications.
The book highlights the paradox that while the system depends on secrecy, it is also undermined by the very people entrusted to maintain it. Leaks occur not just because of ideological convictions, but also because of ego, ambition, or even carelessness.
This human factor introduces an element of unpredictability that no amount of regulation can fully eliminate.
Another important aspect of the book is its examination of overclassification. The authors argue that the sheer volume of classified information dilutes the value of secrecy.
When too much is hidden, it becomes harder to identify what truly matters. This not only creates inefficiencies within the system but also fosters distrust among the public and international partners.
Jennifer Sims’s argument for reducing the number of secrets while increasing their protection is presented as a potential solution, though the authors acknowledge the practical challenges of implementing such reforms.
Overclassification is not just a policy problem; it is a cultural one, reinforced by incentives that favor caution over transparency.
The conclusion of the book brings these themes together with a series of reflections on the future of secrecy.
The anecdote about the accidental discharge of a Secret Service agent’s weapon near Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad serves as a striking example of how secrets can sometimes be preserved not through strict control, but through unexpected cooperation. It also illustrates the strategic dimension of secrecy—how decisions to reveal or conceal information can shape international perceptions and relationships.
The broader argument is that secrecy is not just about information, but about power and trust.
The authors ultimately suggest that the current system is unsustainable. The combination of technological change, institutional inertia, and public skepticism is putting increasing pressure on the secrecy apparatus. Informal checks, such as leaks and investigative journalism, are becoming more important as formal mechanisms struggle to keep pace.
At the same time, the government’s reluctance to adapt—whether by improving communication with the public or reforming classification practices—risks eroding the very trust that underpins the system.
Reading this book in 2026, it is impossible to ignore how prescient many of its observations have been. The “deep state” has not receded; if anything, it has become more entrenched and more complex. Advances in artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and global surveillance have expanded the scope of what governments can do in secret. At the same time, the tools available to journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens have also become more powerful.
The result is a landscape where secrecy and transparency are locked in an increasingly intense and dynamic संघर्ष.
In recent years, debates over data privacy, algorithmic governance, and digital surveillance have brought new dimensions to the questions raised by Ambinder and Grady.
The line between national security and domestic policy has become even more blurred, as governments grapple with threats that do not fit traditional categories. The rise of misinformation and the erosion of trust in institutions have further complicated the relationship between the state and the public.
In this context, the book’s emphasis on the implicit bargain between the government and the governed feels particularly relevant. That bargain is being renegotiated in real time, often in ways that are opaque and contested.
Moreover, the issue of overclassification remains unresolved. If anything, the volume of classified information has continued to grow, driven by the expansion of digital data and the increasing complexity of global threats. The challenge of managing this information—deciding what to keep secret and what to disclose—has become more acute.
At the same time, high-profile leaks and whistleblower cases continue to test the boundaries of the system, raising difficult questions about accountability and responsibility.
What makes ‘Deep State’ an engrossing read to this day, is not just its detailed reporting, but its refusal to offer easy answers. The authors do not advocate for the abolition of secrecy, nor do they defend the status quo.
Instead, they invite readers to grapple with the inherent tensions of a system that is both necessary and flawed.
This balanced approach is particularly valuable in an era where discussions of the “deep state” are often polarized and oversimplified.
The book also stands out for its clarity in explaining complex processes. By demystifying the inner workings of the secrecy apparatus, Ambinder and Grady empower readers to engage more critically with issues that are often shrouded in jargon and abstraction.
This educational aspect is one of the book’s greatest strengths, making it accessible to a broad audience without sacrificing depth.
In the end, this book is a study of power—how it is exercised, concealed, and contested. It shows that secrecy is not just a tool of governance, but a defining feature of modern statecraft.
The book’s central insight—that secrecy is a system, with its own rules, incentives, and pathologies—remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published.
As we move further into the 21st century, the questions raised by Ambinder and Grady are only becoming more urgent. How much secrecy is too much? Who gets to decide? And how can a system maintain accountability in a world where information is both abundant and controlled?
These are not questions with simple answers, but they are questions that cannot be ignored.
In 2026, this book matters because it provides a framework for thinking about these issues at a time when they are more complex and consequential than ever.
The deep state has indeed gone deeper, extending its reach into new domains and technologies. Yet the fundamental tensions that define it—the balance between security and liberty, secrecy and transparency, power and accountability—remain unchanged.
By illuminating these tensions, ‘Deep State’ continues to serve as an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand the hidden structures that shape our world.
A brilliant tome. Read it and be enlightened.
October 29, 2014
This is fast becoming my favorite type of journalism: the ephemeral historical nonfiction. No one will read or talk about this book in 10 years, because its content is tailored to today's issues. But that's OK; it's a good overall picture of where we are now in terms of government secrecy and the intelligence community.
Actually, it already seems out of date, because although it was published after the Snowden disclosures of summer 2013, it doesn't mention them at all--my assumption is that the text was already completed by then, which is unfortunate, since the episode is another fascinating case study of the executive branch doing something because it can, rather than because it should.
Anyway, the first roughly half of the book seems to defend government secrecy and bad behavior (torture, surveillance, etc.) at all costs, while the second half does a better job of examining whether it is really necessary and what the trade-offs are for a program named "Total Information Awareness." It feels a little bipolar, and I can almost hear the authors arguing about how to present things (whether or not that's the cause, I don't know).
But overall, it's a solid recent history of secrecy in the United States, good for national security and civil liberty wonks like me.
Actually, it already seems out of date, because although it was published after the Snowden disclosures of summer 2013, it doesn't mention them at all--my assumption is that the text was already completed by then, which is unfortunate, since the episode is another fascinating case study of the executive branch doing something because it can, rather than because it should.
Anyway, the first roughly half of the book seems to defend government secrecy and bad behavior (torture, surveillance, etc.) at all costs, while the second half does a better job of examining whether it is really necessary and what the trade-offs are for a program named "Total Information Awareness." It feels a little bipolar, and I can almost hear the authors arguing about how to present things (whether or not that's the cause, I don't know).
But overall, it's a solid recent history of secrecy in the United States, good for national security and civil liberty wonks like me.
September 28, 2014
An excellent read on the contours and depths of the security apparatus of the U.S. Government. Ambinder details why the large scope and scale of the intelligence and secrecy community makes it more difficult to keep secrets, and the tension that exists between the press and the government in revealing secret information. It's also a good reference book for various secret covernames of government programs.
October 19, 2014
I didn't think I was going to like this book...but I did. It helps provide a more rounded view of how government works. Our government has been managing secrets, institutionally, for more than a hundred years. There is no transparent accounting of this part of the government budget. This book gives us just a peak inside.
June 23, 2014
An interesting, if overly detailed, overview of the growth of the American secrecy community. Could have used a touch more synthesis throughout and the author comes across as a bit of an apologist, but worth the read.
March 15, 2017
Knowing there are state secrets is helpful. The question I am concerned with, however, is how the state is using that information and the object of the secrets.
January 18, 2021
This is a well-written and concise accounting of the programs the U.S. government has held (and in some cases, still holds) close to its breast. Starting with historical information on how the government developed its secret programs, it then progresses to a discussion of current affairs and projected potential that might be realized from projects either already underway or envisioned.
Another concept addressed is the effect that government secret-keeping has on perception of government actions and the potential distrust of the government that the revelations of secrets can generate.
For those wishing a comprehensive overview of the Games Governments Play, this is a must read.
Another concept addressed is the effect that government secret-keeping has on perception of government actions and the potential distrust of the government that the revelations of secrets can generate.
For those wishing a comprehensive overview of the Games Governments Play, this is a must read.
December 13, 2014
A pretty boring book in my opinion. There's just a lot of acronyms and terms and departments that makes it pretty difficult to keep track of everything. I was expecting to read this and get some great insight into the corruptness of the US government and scandals that go on, but had to skim a bit just to get past the setups and into the good (although still pretty boring) bits. There were a couple interesting chapters (the Area 51 chapter was probably the most interesting to me), but the rest just went on and on about all these terms that meant nothing to me. I suppose if you have a military background or are familiar with all the different departments the book might make more sense, but to an average Joe like me it's pretty hard to keep up and stay interested.
April 29, 2013
Ambinder and Grady provide a clear-eyed view of the American security apparatus and the apparatchik that runs it. There is good news here: the US intelligence services are neither as scary nor as effective as they could be. Civil libertarians should rejoice. Still, considering how much we spend on this somewhat unseemly portion of our national defense, we should have better results. And as the US ponders whether or not to invade yet another Middle Eastern nation, tottering on the edge of collapse, we should pause: we really don't know what the hell we're doing when we engage in secrets gathering.
June 5, 2013
I was impressed by much of the research, but did not enjoy some of the sensationalist-type claims which belong better to a newspaper "rag". Even bringing up Area 51 seemed to be a maneuver to attract the loony-tunes crowd to buy the book.
I'm certainly not dismissing the book and all its wonderful stories, it's just that I don't like the government's attempts at secrecy to be scorned when the safety of millions is at stake. If the Chinese are stealing our Defense secrets, we obviously face a crisis of secrecy in our country and need to move fast to protect our nation's military and business confidential research.
I'm certainly not dismissing the book and all its wonderful stories, it's just that I don't like the government's attempts at secrecy to be scorned when the safety of millions is at stake. If the Chinese are stealing our Defense secrets, we obviously face a crisis of secrecy in our country and need to move fast to protect our nation's military and business confidential research.
January 21, 2014
I found this book to be both fascinating and even-handed; though the authors are open about acknowledging the failures of the U.S.'s current secrecy system, at the same time they point out the importance of having some means of keeping secrets. Ranging from the Cold War to the present War on Terror, it covers a lot of ground. The authors clearly did their research, and the result is well worth reading.
March 26, 2013
I expected a lot more from the book. A lot of it was boring "patriotic" drivel, with some interesting information here and there.
May 16, 2014
Excellent writing by a pentagon whistle blower on the continuance of the Vietnam war.
April 30, 2014
Interesting to say the least!
May 26, 2014
A solid overview of the role and consequences of government secrecy in the national security state.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews