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Secrecy: The American Experience Paperback – December 1, 1999

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
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Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, chairman of the bipartisan Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy, here presents an eloquent and fascinating account of the development of secrecy as a mode of regulation in American government since World War I―how it was born, how world events shaped it, how it has adversely affected momentous political decisions and events, and how it has eluded efforts to curtail or end it. Senator Moynihan begins by recounting the astonishing story of the Venona project, in which Soviet cables sent to the United States during World War II were decrypted by the U.S. Army―but were never passed on to President Truman. The divisive Hiss perjury trial and the McCarthy era of suspicion might have had a far different impact on American society, says Moynihan, if government agencies had not kept secrets from one another as a means of shoring up their power. Moynihan points to many other examples of how government bureaucracies used secrecy to avoid public scrutiny and got into trouble as a result. He discusses the Bay of Pigs, Watergate, the Iran-Contra affair, and, finally, the failure to forecast the collapse of the Soviet Union, suggesting that many of the tragedies resulting from these events could have been averted had the issues been clarified in an open exchange of ideas. America must lead the way to an era of openness, says Moynihan in this vitally important book. It is time to dismantle the excesses of government secrecy and share information with our citizens and with the world. Analysis, far more than secrecy, is the key to national security.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Yale University Press
  4. Publication date
    December 1, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.72 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0300080794
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0300080797
  8. See all details
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A New York Times Book Review New and Notable Paperback -- New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Daniel Patrick Moynihan is the senior U.S. senator from New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press (December 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300080794
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300080797
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.72 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

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Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Daniel Patrick Moynihan

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4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
29 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Creig
5.0 out of 5 stars Expertly argued and documented case for less secrecy in government.
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2012
Verified Purchase
On the topic of secrecy in government this is very likely the best, most objective, account ever written. There is a long introduction by R.G. Powers that is arguably not quite so objective, and not quite so well-written or documented as Moynihan's chapters, but nevertheless worth reading. Moynihan's chapters are beautifully written, outstandingly well documented, and absolutely riveting in there revelations of government policy unnecessarily gone wrong due to excessive secrecy. Though Moynihan is careful to recognize that secrecy is sometimes needed, he makes a compelling case for much less secrecy in government by offering concrete examples of where it has been harmful rather then helpful. Anyone who wants the truth about U.S. law breaking, the Soviet collapse, the anticommunist hysteria of the 1950's, the Rosenberg case, the mining of the Nicaraguan harbor, and countless other events in past U.S. History, must read this book. Everything is beautifully documented and as close to objective as humanly possible. This is a major contribution to 20th century U.S.history by someone that had a ringside seat.

I simply cannot recommend this book too highly. I doubt Moynihan, as a younger scholar, ambitious government servant, cabinet member or senator could or would write such a book, but an older, wiser Moynihan could and did. And thank goodness! This book can change your thinking. You won't be able to put it down!
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A Book for Our Times - Again
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
There are many good and detailed reviews in these comments which I won't repeat. Instead, I summarize by saying the book documents the pendulum swings of the degrees of use of Secrecy in our government.

At one end, Secrecy is a reasonable tactic for protecting We, the People from our enemies - War, etc..

At the other end, Secrecy is a weapon used selfishly by government bureaucracies against one another and/or We, the People.

I think that the lesson/moral of the book is that We, the People are not properly served when Secrecy takes on a life of its own.

Finally, I found the book quite informative, but it was a stubborn read. While the info is terribly interesting, it was difficult to read much at any one time, even though, I was quite familiar with many of the incidents described.
One person found this helpful
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John Cavallo
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an incredibly informative work
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
Moynihan's work here is first rate. The lessons detailed herein provide a clearheaded path to our current, oversecretive approach. World leaders would do well to learn from the author's observations, since many of those from WWI and WWII are still influencing our governments and citizens to this very day. Incredibly informative work.
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James E. Nickelson
4.0 out of 5 stars A modern Casandra
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
The costs of national/international secrecy are mind boggling. Even though we don't even know what the number is. Al Gore has the right title, but on a different subject---An inconvenient Truth. Moynihan was a unique politician in that most peers would shake heads in agreement with most of his postures, but he never ever was really able to lead rational legislation and rules of conduct for transparency of actions during his elected years. Nonetheless, his positions were clear and are indeed on record. It is our fault that we continue to dig the holes of failure. We have the government we deserve.
2 people found this helpful
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llane
5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading.
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
Required reading for anyone who wants to understand an essential pillar of how & why Washington does what it does.

Best way to hide stupidity is to classify it as "TOP SECRET."
2 people found this helpful
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'Impeccatus
5.0 out of 5 stars Good purchase
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
I'm riveted by the book's topic, so the reading pace is slow.
One person found this helpful
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Mark T
4.0 out of 5 stars Critical history
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
This was a widely-ignored breakthrough at it's time of publication because it revealed the truth of the "Venona" secrets which verified that Soviet espionage was extensive throughout the Cold War era. Our counter-intel program was totally compromised and the Soviets knew everything we knew about them. The Joint Chiefs did not inform Pres. Truman of this, allegedly because they feared he would lose resolve to resist Joe McCarthy's investigations which were heading towards the military. But maybe they felt they just couldn't trust the White House.

Other books have expanded this area since it's publication, but history students concerned about how the internal government disputes regarding secrecy have evolved should have this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Matt Slavik
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2016
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Outstanding in every respect.
One person found this helpful
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