The development of government secrecy in the United States since World War I is examined, tracing its origins, its impact on critical political decisions, and the persistent challenges in controlling it. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, drawing on his experience as chairman of the Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy, details how secrecy evolved as a regulatory tool. He analyzes key historical events such as the Venona project, the Hiss perjury trial, the McCarthy era, the Bay of Pigs, Watergate, and the Iran-Contra affair, arguing that a lack of open information exchange among agencies exacerbated these crises and contributed to significant political missteps, including the failure to predict the Soviet Union's collapse.

The book is regarded as a significant historical and political analysis by a prominent figure in American government. Moynihan's firsthand perspective and deep understanding of the mechanisms of power lend considerable weight to his arguments about the detrimental effects of unchecked government secrecy. The work is noted for its detailed examination of pivotal moments in 20th-century American history, linking them through the common thread of classified information and inter-agency distrust. It serves as both a historical record and a cautionary tale about the balance between national security and democratic transparency.