Harris Gellman

Shane Harris's 2010 book, "The Watchers: The Rise of America's Surveillance State," examines the evolution of surveillance programs within the United States. Harris, a journalist with prior experience at publications like Foreign Policy and National Journal, traces the origins of these programs from their Cold War roots through the post-9/11 era. The book details how events like the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the September 11th attacks served as catalysts for the expansion of government intelligence gathering.

The narrative highlights key figures and administrative decisions, including the Reagan Administration's response to terrorism and the Bush Administration's push to expand surveillance efforts, particularly concerning the Total Information Awareness program. Harris discusses the technological shifts that made traditional spying methods obsolete and the subsequent rise of mass data collection, such as analyzing emails and phone calls. The book has been recognized for its informative and dramatic style, with reviewers noting its ability to demystify complex technical subjects and present a compelling account of modern spying.

Shane Harris's research in "The Watchers" situates the rise of America's surveillance state within a historical context, tracing its origins back to the Cold War. A significant turning point identified is the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which exposed failures in U.S. intelligence to connect disparate clues about militant activities. This event prompted the Reagan Administration to adopt a more aggressive stance against militant groups and to begin reorganizing federal efforts, marking an early use of 'war on terrorism' terminology. The book also details how technological advancements, particularly the digital age, necessitated a shift away from older methods like direct phone tapping, pushing agencies like the NSA towards new strategies for data collection.

The aftermath of the September 11th attacks is presented as a major accelerator for mass surveillance in the U.S. Harris recounts how Michael Hayden, then Director of the NSA, led a covert effort to gain support within the Bush administration for expanding programs that had previously been attempted under the Total Information Awareness (TIA) initiative. Despite the TIA program's termination due to congressional opposition, Hayden and his supporters pursued an expansive interpretation of executive authority. The NSA subsequently undertook massive internal projects to process and analyze the enormous volume of digital data, including emails and phone calls, with these operations becoming increasingly codified and bureaucratized over time.

Reviews for "The Watchers" have consistently praised its depth and presentation. Publications like Booklist noted Harris's skill in navigating complex acronyms, characters, and operations to provide an engaging look at modern surveillance technology and its impact on ordinary Americans. Publishers Weekly highlighted the book's informative and dramatic narrative, while Alexandra Silver of Time observed that it reads like a spy novel. Barton Gellman, writing for The Washington Post, commended Harris for demystifying intricate technical subjects and providing an essential guide to the 'invisible infrastructure' of domestic intelligence, emphasizing the work's historical scope from the Cold War to the post-9/11 landscape.

“Harris sifts through a confusing array of acronyms, fascinating characters, and chilling operations to offer an absorbing look at modern spying technology and how it impacts average Americans”

“informative and dramatic narrative”

“reads like a spy novel”

“invisible infrastructure”