Conducting Post-World War II National Security Research in Executive Branch Records - by James E David (Hardcover)

About the Book

A staggering number of post-World War II White House and agency records pertaining to national security are stored in repositories nationwide, but researchers often find it impossible to locate and access these records. This book provides considerable detail on the quantity, nature, and public accessibility of the records at the National Archives, Federal records centers, the agencies themselves, presidential libraries, and smaller repositories. The author also discusses the critical importance of federal records management policies, classification and declassification policies, and the need for improved compliance with these policies.

The public has never had a comprehensive guide to assist in identifying, locating, and gaining access to agency and White House national security records. The author tells the reader where national security-related records are located, which ones are accessible to the public, and which ones are not. He also discusses the vital role of federal records management policies in determining the ultimate disposition of records and where the records are stored. In addition, he sets forth the policies governing the classification and declassification of records and the reasons the vast majority of records are still inaccessible to the public. Both beginning and experienced researchers will find this work to be of great assistance.

Book Synopsis

A staggering number of post-World War II White House and agency records pertaining to national security are stored in repositories nationwide, but researchers often find it impossible to locate and access these records. This book provides considerable detail on the quantity, nature, and public accessibility of the records at the National Archives, Federal records centers, the agencies themselves, presidential libraries, and smaller repositories. The author also discusses the critical importance of federal records management policies, classification and declassification policies, and the need for improved compliance with these policies.

The public has never had a comprehensive guide to assist in identifying, locating, and gaining access to agency and White House national security records. The author tells the reader where national security-related records are located, which ones are accessible to the public, and which ones are not. He also discusses the vital role of federal records management policies in determining the ultimate disposition of records and where the records are stored. In addition, he sets forth the policies governing the classification and declassification of records and the reasons the vast majority of records are still inaccessible to the public. Both beginning and experienced researchers will find this work to be of great assistance.

Review Quotes

.,."a refreshingly realistic portrait of the frustrations inherent in locating national security materials of the executive branch....this is an important book and is recommended."-American Reference Books Annual

?...a refreshingly realistic portrait of the frustrations inherent in locating national security materials of the executive branch....this is an important book and is recommended.?-American Reference Books Annual

?David's work is comprehensive, logically organized, and useful to beginning or advanced researchers. Portions of the book might be placed on the National Security Archives Web site. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.?-Choice

..."a refreshingly realistic portrait of the frustrations inherent in locating national security materials of the executive branch....this is an important book and is recommended."-American Reference Books Annual

"David's work is comprehensive, logically organized, and useful to beginning or advanced researchers. Portions of the book might be placed on the National Security Archives Web site. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty."-Choice

About the Author

JAMES E. DAVID is with the Division of Space History at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where he has curatorial and exhibit responsibilities, conducts research and is involved in a wide range of efforts to declassify records.