The New York Times gives a glowing review to "Chatter," a new book by Patrick Radden Keefe. The name derives from the so-called "chatter" allegedly bantered by terrorists on the Internet that makes it way into elevated threat levels.

The Times says the book is "filled with anecdotes, colorful quotes and arresting statistics" and is "breezily aired," breaking down the complex subject matter into easily understandable terms. It sounds interesting, if these quotes are representative:

The United States has fewer than 5,000 spies operating around the world, for example, but 30,000 eavesdroppers. The National Security Agency employs more mathematicians than any other organization in the world, and every three hours its spy satellites gather enough information to fill the Library of Congress. Menwith Hill, the American listening station in North Yorkshire, England, has a staff as large as MI5, Britain's domestic intelligence service.