There is a hidden country within the United States. It was formed from the astonishing number of secrets held by the government and the growing ranks of secret-keepers given charge over them. The government secrecy industry speaks in a private language of codes and acronyms, and follows an arcane set of rules and customs designed to perpetuate itself, repel penetration, and deflect oversight. It justifies itself with the assertion that the American values worth preserving are often best sustained by subterfuge and deception. There are indications that this deep state is crumbling.

Introduction:Asleep under fire -- Need to know -- The curious case of primoris era -- From inception to eternity -- Fairly modest -- Vital information -- The horrors book -- Conspiracies -- Inside the enclave -- The tip of the spear -- Necessary secrets -- The tools for the job -- The known unknowns -- The structure of secrecy -- Partisan transparency -- Open source strikes back -- Resistance -- The flicker of a piercing eye -- Olympic games -- The next battlespace -- Conclusion: Shooting at Ahmadinejad.