Deep Black (book)

Synopsis

Deep Black covers the United States' clandestine intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance program from the start of the Cold War to the mid-1980s. Burrows focuses on technical collection methods using strategic aircraft, satellites and other electronic techniques rather than traditional espionage. The book details how the program adapted to events such as early Soviet space successes, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the downing of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, while also examining intragovernmental competition among US Intelligence Community organizations for funding, equipment and influence.

Reception

Foreign Affairs described the book as thick and the information overwhelming, deeming it relevant to more analytically oriented scholars. In The New York Times, John Newhouse gave a generally favorable review but took nuanced exception to Burrows' portrayal of the Sputnik launch as the most pernicious problem of the Eisenhower White House. Newhouse called the book very revealing and more remarkable than exploits of human spies. Stars and Stripes wrote that Deep Black is vital reading for anyone concerned with the national security of the United States.

Did You Know?

• The title refers to the IC jargon term 'black', indicating something highly classified.
• A black budget is used to finance black ops and/or black projects, all discussed in the book.
• The term 'Deep Black' alludes that the subject and material inside are profoundly sensitive in nature.