NSA Secrets: Government Spying in the Internet Age

by The Washington Post

The Pulitzer Prize–winning investigation into surveillance abuses and the Edward Snowden case that brought them to light.   The NSA's extensive surveillance program has led Americans to question threats to their privacy. As reported by the Washington Post, in their Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of whistleblower Edward Snowden's NSA leaks, NSA Secrets delves into the shadowy world of information gathering, exposing how data about you is being collected every day.   From his earliest encrypted exchanges with reporters, Edward Snowden knew he was a man in danger. Sitting on a mountain of incriminating evidence about the NSA surveillance programs, Snowden was prepared to risk his freedom, and his very life, to let the world know about the perceived overreach of the NSA and the massive collection of personal information that was carried out in the name of national security by the U.S. government.   The Washington Post’s complete coverage of the NSA spying scandal, which it helped break, is now collected in one place to give as comprehensive a view of the story as is known. From the first contact with Snowden to the latest revelations in worldwide cellphone tracking, the award-winning reporters at the Post have vigorously reported on the scope of the NSA’s surveillance. Snowden called the internet “a TV that watches you,” and accused the government of “abusing [it] in secret to extend their powers beyond what is necessary and appropriate.” Here, the secrets of those who tried in vain to remain in the shadows are revealed.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2013

About the author

The Washington Post provides authoritative local, national and international news — with reporting on politics, technology, business and culture — offering readers and users entertainment and information they need to know, plus expert original commentary, insight and analysis, 365 days a year.

Reviews

[David Reaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Information mostly drawn from Snowdean's documents.

Having served at NSA prior to 2000 I was interested to see what information was revealed. There were no surprises. The book went over the same systems and processes several times so it could have been about 1/3 as long and provided the same information.

[Amitava Mazumdar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following the Guardian's and WaPo's reports on NSA surveillance was too much too fast; it was hard to keep up with what the NSA was revealed to be doing. Was it monitoring foreigners only or also Americans? Does "targeting" foreign suspects mean that Americans could also be monitored? Was NSA collecting just metadata or also content? Reading WaPo's stories all at once was clarifying. That said, the stories were not written with sufficient clarity to answer all of these questions. It was not always clear when the stories were only referring to metadata or when they were also referring to content. Also, be aware, that without the Guardian's stories, you're only getting half the picture.

[Raj Agrawal · Rating 4 out of 5]

one-sided indictment of US Intel Community

Largely a one-sided indictment of the NSA and CIA, along with the Obama Administration, on the perceived encroachment of surveillance of US citizens. Much of the context of the "pro" side is disregarded in defense of this editor's heroes -- Snowden and Manning.

Informative read if you trust the sources, and an important argument to consider for all interested in security and freedom. This is a necessary perspective in the pursuit of mitigating uncertainty.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a glimpse of how NSA operates. I'm all for protecting our country by any means but it's scary to realize how powerful a few can be with the enormous means to snoop.

[Roberto Rigolin F Lopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This compilation of articles is a bit boring because the texts are often repetitive. Imagine yourself catching up reading a pile of old newspapers. Worth reading because Snowden is no ordinary whistleblower; much respect for such altruistic act.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really a collection of all the Washington Post Articles on the Snowden leaks. I was well aware of the main part of this story with meta data collection of all US phone calls, but there are many more interesting pieces of information that Snowden leaked. Good read.