James Bamford is an American writer, journalist, and documentary producer. He is well-known for his work on United States intelligence agencies, especially the National Security Agency (NSA). The New York Times called him the top journalist on the subject of the NSA, and The New Yorker referred to him as the NSA’s chief chronicler.
Bamford has taught at the University of California, Berkeley, and written for various publications like The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, and Harper’s. In 2006, he received the National Magazine Award for Reporting for his coverage of the Iraq War in Rolling Stone.
He’s also a documentary producer for PBS, earning an Emmy nomination, and spent ten years as the Washington investigative producer for ABC’s World News Tonight.
In 2015, he became the national security columnist for Foreign Policy magazine. One of his notable books is “The Shadow Factory,” which became a New York Times bestseller and was praised by The Washington Post.
Early Life:
Born in 1946 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Bamford served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. After the Navy, he studied law and later blew the whistle on the NSA for illegally eavesdropping on US citizens. His testimony before the Church Committee led to reforms in US intelligence in the 1970s.
The Puzzle Palace and Legal Battles:
His first book, “The Puzzle Palace,” uncovered NSA secrets and faced legal challenges. Despite threats of prosecution, Bamford published the information, arguing against reclassification.
Body of Secrets and A Pretext for War:
In 2001, he released “Body of Secrets,” the second book in his NSA trilogy. Bamford opposed the Iraq War in 2002 and wrote “A Pretext for War” in 2004, challenging the intelligence failures leading to the conflict.
The Shadow Factory and Legal Involvement:
Bamford joined a lawsuit against the NSA’s illegal domestic eavesdropping. Although a court ruled it unconstitutional, the decision was later reversed on appeal. His third book, “The Shadow Factory,” focused on NSA activities after 9/11.
PBS and ABC News:
Bamford produced documentaries for PBS, earning an Emmy nomination. He worked for ABC’s World News Tonight, receiving awards for investigative reporting.
Legal Cases and Espionage:
Bamford served as a defense consultant in espionage cases, including the case of Thomas Andrews Drake. He exposed that the leaked documents were in the public domain, leading to dropped charges.
Personal Life and Achievements:
Bamford completed a global circumnavigation and was elected as a member of The Explorer’s Club. He supports the USS Liberty Veterans Association, advocating for survivors of the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty.
Criticisms:
His 2023 book, “Spyfail,” received criticism for its focus on espionage by Israel against the US. Some reviews deemed it anti-Israel, while others praised its critical view of Israel’s involvement in US politics.