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Code Warriors: Nsa's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union

Code Warriors: Nsa's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union

Best price now

$2.92at alibrisChecked 12 h ago

78% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 4 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

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Price facts

  • Lowest price today: $2.92 at alibris (checked Nov 10, 2026).
  • Checked at 4 stores.

Our take on the Code Warriors: Nsa's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union

Code Warriors is Stephen Budiansky's history of the National Security Agency and the codebreaking war against the Soviet Union, from Cold War signals intelligence to the agency's modern reach. It is narrative history built on declassified documents, not a technical manual or a memoir. Readers who liked The Code Book or Body of Secrets get a tighter, better-sourced account of how NSA grew and where it stumbled. It suits history and intelligence buffs more than readers wanting spy anecdotes or hands-on cryptography.

Best forCold War history readersSignals intelligence and cryptography fansReaders of The Code Book or Body of SecretsAnyone curious about how the NSA was built
Pros
  • Draws on declassified NSA and Soviet-era documents
  • Covers the agency from its postwar founding to the modern era
  • Explains codebreaking failures and successes in plain language
  • Budiansky is a seasoned history and science writer
  • Compact paperback that reads as narrative, not reference
Cons
  • Dense with agencies, acronyms and names
  • Light on personal spy stories some readers expect
  • Technical passages on ciphers can slow the pace
  • Ends before the most recent surveillance debates

Code Warriors: Nsa's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union prices at every store

  • alibrisNew

    In stock

    $2.92Checked 12 h ago
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  • KoboNew

    In stock

    $8.99Checked 12 h ago
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  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $13.44+ $6.99 shippingChecked 12 h ago
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  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $14.93+ $5.99 shippingChecked 12 h ago
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Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

Code Warriors: Nsa's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union price history

Lowest price we've seen: $2.92 on Nov 10 at alibris. Tracked across 4 stores since Nov 10.

What reviewers say

Reviewers treat it as a solid, well-researched history of the NSA and Cold War codebreaking, praised for sourcing and readability. Some find the cast of officials and acronyms hard to track and wanted more human drama.

What people mention
  • ResearchPraisedReaders credit the book with careful use of declassified documents and solid sourcing.
  • ReadabilityPraisedMany find the narrative clear and engaging for a history of intelligence bureaucracy.
  • AcronymsCriticisedThe many agencies, officials and acronyms make parts hard to follow.
  • Technical detailMixedCipher explanations are useful to some and slow going for others.
  • ScopeMixedSome readers want more on recent surveillance and less on the early Cold War.

Specifications

Format
PaperbackSource
Release Year
2017Source
Language
EnglishSource
Publisher
VINTAGESource

Questions and answers

Is this a technical book about cryptography?
No. It is narrative history of the NSA and Cold War codebreaking, with ciphers explained only as needed. Readers wanting hands-on cryptography should look elsewhere.
How does it compare with Body of Secrets?
It is shorter and more tightly sourced, focused on the agency's Cold War codebreaking rather than broad NSA history. Some readers find it less dramatic but better grounded.
Does it cover the modern NSA and surveillance?
It reaches the agency's modern era but concentrates on the Cold War. The post-2013 surveillance debates get little space.
Who is the author?
Stephen Budiansky is a historian and science writer who has written on intelligence, codebreaking and military history.
Is it suitable for someone new to intelligence history?
Yes, if you accept a large cast of officials and agencies. A basic interest in the Cold War helps more than prior cryptography knowledge.
Where is the Code Warriors: Nsa's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union cheapest?
At alibris, for $2.92, 78% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the Code Warriors: Nsa's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union?
4 stores we checked sell it, including alibris, Kobo, Walmart, Target.

Stores we've priced the Code Warriors: Nsa's Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union at

  • Target deals and prices
  • Walmart deals and prices
Genre
Historical FictionSource
Release Date
2017-08Source