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Book Review of The American Black Chamber

The American Black Chamber
The American Black Chamber
Author: Herbert O. Yardley
Genre: History
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
hardtack avatar reviewed on + 2596 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


If you read any of the books on code-breaking in World War II, and realize how important reading the other side's mail was to the Allied victory, then you must also read this book, as it is frequently mentioned in the World War II books on code breaking.

After a stupid U.S. Secretary of State, and we've had more than just one of those, stated "Gentlemen do not read each others' mail," Yardley was without a job. So he decided to write a book about what he did during World War I and later.

The publication of the book caused an uproar, but was mostly read by the people who would fight us in World War II. I had always wanted to read this book and was delighted to find a copy posted here. I was not disappointed with its contents. Except for the few sections describing how codes are developed and broken, this is a well written history of America's Black Chamber and the effect it had upon history.