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The American Black Chamber (Bluejacket Books),Used
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During the 1920s Herbert O. Yardley was chief of the first peacetime cryptanalytic organization in the United States, the ancestor of today's National Security Agency. Funded by the U.S. Army and the Department of State and working out of New York, his small and highly secret unit succeeded in breaking the diplomatic codes of several nations, including Japan. The decrypts played a critical role in U.S. diplomacy. Despite its extraordinary successes, the Black Chamber, as it came to known, was disbanded in 1929. President Hoover's new Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson refused to continue its funding with the nowfamous comment, 'Gentlemen do not read other people's mail.' In 1931 a disappointed Yardley caused a sensation when he published this book and revealed to the world exactly what his agency had done with the secret and illegal cooperation of nearly the entire American cable industry. These revelations and Yardley's right to publish them set into motion a conflict that continues to this day: the right to freedom of expression versus national security. In addition to offering an expos on postWorld War I cryptology, the book is filled with exciting stories and personalities.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main subject of The American Black Chamber? A: The American Black Chamber focuses on Herbert O. Yardley's experiences as the chief of the first peacetime cryptanalytic organization in the United States during the 1920s, detailing its successes in breaking diplomatic codes.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of The American Black Chamber is Herbert O. Yardley, who played a significant role in U.S. cryptology and intelligence.
- Q: What is the book's publication date? A: The American Black Chamber was published on January 15, 2013.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The American Black Chamber is available in paperback binding.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 376 pages.
- Q: Is this book a new or used edition? A: This listing is for a new edition of The American Black Chamber.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: The available edition of The American Black Chamber is the First Edition.
- Q: What are the key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include cryptology, national security, freedom of expression, and the ethical implications of intelligence work.
- Q: Can you provide a summary of the book's content? A: The book provides an exposé on the operations of the Black Chamber, including its successes in code-breaking, its disbandment, and the controversies surrounding government secrecy and public disclosure.
- Q: What is the significance of the Black Chamber in U.S. history? A: The Black Chamber is significant as it was the first peacetime cryptanalytic organization in the U.S., laying the groundwork for modern intelligence and cryptology practices.