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We Know All About You
The Story of Surveillance in Britain and America
By (author)
Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones
Genres:
20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, 21st century history: from c 2000 -, International relations, Espionage & secret services, Political control & freedoms, Freedom of information & freedom of speech
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Synopsis
We Know All About You shows how bulk spying came of age in the nineteenth century, and supplies the first overarching narrative and interpretation of what has happened since, covering the agencies, programs, personalities, technology, leaks, criticisms and reform. Concentrating on America and Britain, it delves into the roles of credit agencies, private detectives, and phone-hacking journalists as well as government agencies like the NSA and GCHQ, and
highlights malpractices such as the blacklist and illegal electronic interceptions. It demonstrates that several presidents - Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon - conducted political surveillance, and how British agencies have been under a constant cloud of suspicion for similar reasons.
We Know All About You continues with an account of the 1970s leaks that revealed how the FBI and CIA kept tabs on anti-Vietnam War protestors, and assesses the reform impulse that began in America and spread to Britain. The end of the Cold War further undermined confidence in the need for surveillance, but it returned with a vengeance after 9/11. The book shows how reformers challenged that new expansionism, assesses the political effectiveness of the Snowden revelations, and offers an
appraisal of legislative initiatives on both sides of the Atlantic.
Micro-stories and character sketches of individuals ranging from Pinkerton detective James McParlan to recent whisteblowers illuminate the book. We Know All About You confirms that governments have a record of abusing surveillance powers once granted, but emphasizes that problems arising from private sector surveillance have been particularly neglected. New & Used
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What Reviewers Are Saying
In this outstanding, brief overview of the history of surveillance and debates surrounding it in the UK and US, University of Edinburgh academic Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones challenges head-on Orwells representation of the secret state in his celebrated dystopian novel... overall, the author has presented a convincing critique of Orwellian statism. * Richard Lance Keeble (Lincoln and Liverpool Hope University), George Orwell Studies Vol. 2, No.1 2017 * Comprehensive... unique. * Jennifer Daskal, Foreign Affairs * A fascinating, if not a troubling, read. * Arthur Chappell, Science Fact & Science Fiction Concatenation * Thought-provoking... We Know challenges us to re-assess our notions and attitudes towards mass surveillance. * Lorraine Chimbga, Society for Computers and Law * A brilliant and well-researched book. Entertaining and engaging, it tells the story of surveillance...in a compelling way. Highly recommended. * Catherine Balavage, Frost Magazine * Rigorous and highly readable. * Ian Cobain, The Guardian * Fascinating. * Times Higher Education Supplement * ... important and timely ... In an age obsessed with security, the author has made a compelling case that more political attention and regulatory redress to our largely unthinking embrace of the digital age is urgently needed. * David Stafford, University of Edinburgh Journal * We live in an age George Orwell predicted, yet we hardly understand it. Thankfully, Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones does. With style and wit, intelligence and humanity, he analyses the role of state surveillance but also reveals the more pervasive crisis of private snooping. A book of insight and importance, We Know All About You is the definitive history of surveillance in Britain and America. * Andrew Preston, Cambridge University * No challenge is greater in the democratic nations than preserving privacy and civil liberties in this rush toward greater security at all costs. Over the years, Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones has proven his ability to grapple with this struggle between the forces of privacy, on the one hand, and security, on the other hand. With this new book, he offers an exceptionally insightful examination of how Britain and America have tried to cope with the threat of modern terrorism,
as they have stumbled from a devotion to security, then to privacy, and back to security again, seeking the elusive Golden Mean between these two values that would protect democratic principles while defeating the ruthless enemies of liberty. The challenge continues and in this readable volume
Jeffreys-Jones helps clarify the pathways ahead with his usual wisdom and reliable analysis. * Loch K. Johnson, author of National Security Intelligence *
as they have stumbled from a devotion to security, then to privacy, and back to security again, seeking the elusive Golden Mean between these two values that would protect democratic principles while defeating the ruthless enemies of liberty. The challenge continues and in this readable volume
Jeffreys-Jon