Surveillance in America

About this book

"Surveillance in America provides a historical exploration of FBI surveillance practices and policies since 1920 based on recently declassified FBI files. Using the new information available through these documents, Ivan Greenberg sheds light on the activities and beliefs of top FBI officials as they develop and implement surveillance practices. Paying particular attention to the use of the media, Greenberg provides a thorough reconsideration of the Watergate scandal and the role of W. Mark Felt as "Deep Throat." He also exposes new evidence that suggests Felt led a faction at the FBI that worked together to bring down President Nixon. The book concludes with an in-depth treatment of surveillance practices since the year 2000. Greenberg considers the question of "surveillance as harassment" and looks at the further erosion of privacy stemming from Obama's counterterror policies, which extend those of the Bush administration's second term. The startling increase in surveillance since the events of September 11 reveals the extent to which America is losing the battle for civil liberties."--Back cover.