Synopses & Reviews
This is the first description of the formation of America's nulcear surveillance system. Drawing on interviews with participants and the little documentation available under the Freedom of Information Act, Ziegler and Jacobson tell a story not told before. They shed new light on questions raised in earlier interpretations of the early Cold War years and reveal the origins of a surveillance activity that is implied, but not explained, in today's headlines.
This book provides the first documented description of the genesis and institutionalization of America's nuclear surveillance system. It traces the development of covert technical methods for assessing the nuclear capability of foreign powers from the introduction of these techniques in World War II to 1949, when they were successfully employed to detect the test of Russia's first atomic bomb. Ziegler and Jacobson examine the planning for the system as well as the technical and organizational obstacles that had to be overcome before it could be implemented. They describe the government decision-making processes and the ways individuals and groups with different beliefs and interests were mobilized in support of the program. They also explore the relationships between the intelligence and scientific communities that were forged in this process.
Review
Ziegler and Jacobson offer an excellent model for historians of modern technical intelligence collection. Their book is solidly researched, sound in narrative, effectively organized, and judicious...in its conclusions.American Historical Review
Review
Charles Ziegler and David Jacobson use declassified records and participant interviews to produce this remarkable account.... Spying Without Spies provides the first description of the creation and institutionalization of America's nuclear detection system and the relationship it forged between the science and intelligence communities. Thus, the book makes a unique contribution to intelligence literature.Airpower Journal
Review
...the definitive account of the systems evolved by the US to track down other potential nuclear weaponry...The Jerusalem Post
Review
The organization of the narrative portions is excellent. Everything is to be found where one would expect it. The technical material is presented with confidence, but not smugly--as so often occurs when the writers know so much more of the technical details of a topic than the reader...For me, of course, the most interesting account is the inner workings (or failure to work) of the RDB...None like it yet exists in the historical literature.Dr. Allan A. Needell Historian of American Science
Review
Charles A. Ziegler and David Jacobson's outstanding study further illuminates this interaction by depicting US intelligence's complex efforts to establish a long-range surveillance system that could track Soviet nuclear weapons developments, initially by detecting atomic tests.... This fine study is one of the intelligence revelations of the year...The International History Review
Synopsis
This is the first description of the formation of America's nulcear surveillance system. Drawing on interviews with participants and the little documentation available under the Freedom of Information Act, Ziegler and Jacobson tell a story not told before. They shed new light on questions raised in earlier interpretations of the early Cold War years and reveal the origins of a surveillance activity that is implied, but not explained, in today's headlines.
Synopsis
"Drawing on a wide variety of sources, the authors of this accessible study describe the organization of the responsible agency...and the development of radiological, sonic and seismic technology that has monitored nuclear activity worldwide for over 40 years. This study fills a gap in the historical record..." Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
"Drawing on a wide variety of sources, the authors of this accessible study describe the organization of the responsible agency...and the development of radiological, sonic and seismic technology that has monitored nuclear activity worldwide for over 40 years. This study fills a gap in the historical record..." Publishers Weekly
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [225]-227) and index.
About the Author
CHARLES A. ZIEGLER is Lecturer in Social Anthropology at Brandeis University.DAVID JACOBSON is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Brandeis University. He has written books and articles on ethnography and social networks.
Table of Contents
Introduction
World War II Origins of Radiological Surveillance
Postwar Hindrances to Rapid Development
Technical Progress: 1945-1946
The Organizational Dust Settles
Birth of the Monitoring Organization
Technical Progress: 1946-1947
Sandstone and Fitzwilliam
Pressures to Become Operational
Vested Interests and Committee Politics
Building Alliances and the Interim Net
The Detection of Joe-1 and Beyond
Bibliography
Index