Top Secret America cover art

Top Secret America

The Rise of the New American Security State

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Top Secret America

By: Dana Priest, William M. Arkin
Narrated by: Dana Priest
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About this listen

The top-secret world that the government created in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks has become so enormous, so unwieldy, and so secretive that no one knows how much money it costs, how many people it employs or exactly how many agencies duplicate work being done elsewhere. The result is that the system put in place to keep the United States safe may be putting us in greater danger. In Top Secret America, award-winning reporters Dana Priest and William Arkin uncover the enormous size, shape, mission, and consequences of this invisible universe of over 1,300 government facilities in every state in America; nearly 2,000 outside companies used as contractors; and more than 850,000 people granted "Top Secret" security clearance.

A landmark exposé of a new, secret "Fourth Branch" of American government, Top Secret America is a tour de force of investigative reporting-and a book sure to spark national and international alarm.
Freedom & Security Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences War & Crisis Espionage Middle East Iran Military War Government

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Critic reviews

"A breathtaking investigative account of America's vast new secret world...An invaluable book."—Los Angeles Times
"Essential reading."—Cryptome
"Mind-boggling."—Washington Lawyer
All stars
Most relevant
Loved it, it lift's the Vail of Secrecy from Top Secret America! I couldn't put it down.

Fascinating peek behind the Wizards curtain !

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