| AMERICAN BLACK CHAMBER (Ballantine Espionage/Intelligence Library) |  | Author: Herbert O. Yardley
Creator: David Kahn
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
Buy Used: $3.21
Used (24) Collectible (2) from $3.21
Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 1656931
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
ISBN: 0345298675
Dewey Decimal Number: 940.48673
EAN: 9780345298676
ASIN: 0345298675
Publication Date: August 12, 1981
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Product Description
This book is a classic in nonfiction literature. When published in 1931, The American Black Chamber was an instant sensation and quickly became a best-seller. Erle Stanley Gardner termed the book "one of the most interesting books I have ever read." For those interested in real-life spies, intelligence, breaking codes, and especially intrigue, The American Black Chamber is one of the most absorbing nonfiction books ever published.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
Exceptional Insight into Cryptography August 14, 2008
I first heard of this book in 1967 while undergoing Air Force cryptologic training; unfortunately, it was out of print at that time. In 1975, I found a copy in an Air Force secure-area library and was able to read it there, but only during my lunch hours. Since it was a rare, out-of-print book, the librarian wouldn't let it leave the library, and I can't say that I blame her.
Because of security restrictions, Maj Yardley wasn't able to publish his book in the US legally, so his work-around was to have it published in the United Kingdom in 1931. When I learned that it had been republished and was available through Amazon, I immediately ordered a copy and read it again 30 years later.
This book gives insight into the fledgling cryptologic effort, referred to as the American Black Chamber, begun by the US in World War I. The effort literally started from scratch and existed on a shoestring budget, with Maj Yardley and a handful of others usually working very long hours. By 1929, after years of hard work, the "Chamber" had developed into a relatively sophisticated, successful operation.
Regrettably, naivete ruled the day when President Hoover's new Secretary of State, Henry L. Stimson (This effort was a State Department function back then.), upon learning of the existence of the Chamber, was horrified that we would even think of "spying" on someone else ("Gentlemen do not read each other's mail."). He summarily had the Chamber abolished, so all that work went down the tubes until later on when it had to be rebuilt for the effort of World War II.
It is an ironic footnote in history that by the time Mr. Secretary Stimson became Secretary of War during World War II, his views of the importance of cryptologics had changed--as did those of others in the military and diplomatic spheres of influence.
Read all about it. This is excellent reading, and it brings to life the difficulties and accomplishments of the American Black Chamber.
 Spies Galore! June 13, 2008
This is an exciting look into the arcane world of espionage, secret writing and the life and death struggles of spies to remain undetected. It is balanced by the equally intense technical struggle to detect them and interpret what they are sending. It is one of the classics of cryptography, and serves as a wonderful introduction to that all time classic "The Code Breakers" by David Kahn.
A true glimpse behind the scenes March 3, 2008
This book is a true tell all book. Written by the head of MI-8 (the US Army signals intelligence agency in WWI) and later the Black Chamber from 1918-1929, this book gives a glimpse of what goes on behind the scene and shapes the actions and re-actions of governments that don't make it to the newspaper headlines. A must read.
An excellent book December 8, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Aside from the subject of codes and ciphers, which this book does very well, The American Black Chamber also discusses how U.S. codebreaking affected the post-WWI naval disarmament conference which led to the famous 5-5-3 ratio of heavy warships amongst the British, American and Japanese navies. American negotiators knew in advance what the Japanese and British were willing to settle for and managed to get the best deal possible for the U.S.
Very much an eye-opener.
Our "NSA" in 1918! May 20, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Yardley could sight-read the encrypted messages of the time. This and "Education of a Poker Player" are informative and entertaining.
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