Tom Secker Books

This is a book about secrecy, militarism, manipulation, and censorship at the heart of the world's leading democracy-and about those who try to fight them. Using thousands of pages of documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act National Security Cinema exclusively reveals that the national security state-led by the CIA and Pentagon-has worked on more than eight-hundred Hollywood films and over a thousand network television shows. The latest scholarship has underestimated the size of this operation, in part because the government has gone to considerable lengths to prevent data emerging, especially in the 21st Century, as the practice of government-Hollywood cooperation has escalated and become more aggressive. National Security Cinema reveals for the first time specific script changes made by the government for political reasons on dozens of blockbusting films and franchises like Transformers, Avatar, Meet the Parents, and The Terminator. These forces have suppressed important narratives about: CIA drug trafficking; illegal arms sales; military creation of bio-weapons; the interaction of private armies and oil companies; government treatment of minorities; torture; coups; assassinations, and the failure to prevent 9/11.

The book delves into the aftermath of the July 7th, 2005 terrorist attacks in London, which resulted in over 50 fatalities. It explores the extensive police investigation that followed, highlighting the challenges and complexities faced in bringing those responsible to justice. Despite the scale of the inquiry, the lack of convictions raises questions about accountability and the impact of terrorism on society. Through a detailed examination, the narrative sheds light on the human stories behind the tragedy and the ongoing quest for answers.