The Declassification Engine

Examining the shift from transparent governance to rampant secrecy in the U.S. post-World War II, this book reveals how intelligence agencies and overclassification have compromised accountability. Historian Matthew Connelly employs data science to analyze state secrets, uncovering the motivations behind governmental concealment, including incompetence and criminality. Through pivotal historical events, he illustrates the dangers of unchecked secrecy and the significant cost to democracy, emphasizing the need to preserve historical truths for a secure future.