The author provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of decoded radio messages (signals intelligence) upon American foreign policy and strategy from 1930 to 1945. He presents an account of the US Army's Signal Intelligence Service and its contributions to the war effort.
"David Alvarez packs a lot into this rather short, brilliantly written and argued account of the US signals intelligence (Sigint) effort against foreign diplomatic communications. A must-read."
Intelligence and National Security"Alvarez recaptures the wartime spirit of the Army code-breakers with verve and vigour. He tells us of SIS's sometimes bizarre and often obfuscating security arrangements; the perpetual bureaucratic infighting for more people, more space, more money; the role of women and minorities; and how people coped with their new experiences. In sort, he puts a human face on the heretofore impersonal code-breakers, giving the book an added dimension that makes it unique."International History Review
"Secret Messages is a badly needed history of the origins of modern American signals intelligence."H-Net Reviews
"A valuable contribution to the diplomatic history of this era."Journal of Military History
"Provides an unparalleled glimpse into Army codebreaking in World War II."John Prados, author of Combined Fleet Decoded: The Secret History of American Intelligence and the Japanese Navy in World War II
"Imaginatively written, thoroughly documented, and brilliantly comprehensive. Fills a significant gap in intelligence literature."Carl Boyd, author of Hitlers Japanese Confidant: General Oshima Hiroshi and MAGIC Intelligence, 19411945
"An important and pioneering work that will be essential reading for any student of cryptology, or of intelligence during the Second World War."John Ferris, author of Intelligence and Strategy