The Covert Sphere: Secrecy, Fiction, and the National Security State
State: The Covert Sphere by Timothy Melley examines how secrecy and fiction shape ideas about U.S. national security. It connects the postwar growth of clandestine institutions with novels, films, television, political theory, and public suspicion, from the Korean War through the War on Terror.
At a glance
- Links the growth of the U.S. national security state to cultural ideas about secrecy and covert action.
- Discusses works from The Manchurian Candidate to 24 alongside Cold War history and political theory.
- Covers American culture and foreign policy from the Korean War through the War on Terror.
- Engages with writing by Margaret Atwood, Robert Coover, Don DeLillo, Joan Didion, and other authors.
Reference price: $39.95
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Combines political history and theory with close readings of popular culture and literature.
- Its broad time span supports readers interested in how secrecy is represented across changing U.S. conflicts.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Cornell University Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | November 15, 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 304 pages |
| Reading age | 18 years and up |
| Listed weight | 14.4 ounces |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6 x 0.81 x 9 inches |
| ISBN-10 | 9780801478536 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-13 | 978-0801478536 |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers of U.S. national security history and political theory.
- Students and readers interested in literature, film, and television as ways of thinking about state secrecy.
- Those exploring Cold War culture, covert action, or postmodernism.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a narrowly focused operational history of intelligence agencies or a light, plot-driven account.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
34% 34% - 4 stars
41% 41% - 3 stars
25% 25% - 2 stars
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The supplied evidence contains aggregate ratings but no review commentary. The ratings span three, four, and five stars, so they suggest a range of reader responses rather than a clear explanation of what readers liked or disliked. This small rating sample cannot establish which aspects of the book drove those responses.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Covert Sphere about?
Timothy Melley explores how state secrecy and fiction became connected to the national security state, examining history, political theory, and cultural works.
What works and periods does the book discuss?
The account ranges from the Korean War through the War on Terror and discusses cultural works including The Manchurian Candidate and 24.
Who is this book suited to?
It may suit readers interested in national security history, political theory, American literature, film, television, and the cultural effects of secrecy.
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