(Photo taken at the National Cryptologic Museum located at Fort Meade in Maryland)

In his book "Best Kept Secret", John Bryden writes that '"The American Black Chamber" (1931) is a classic in the annals of secret intelligence. It is mostly the story of Yardley's First World War experiences as the head of the War Department's cryptanalysis bureau. Written in a crisp, anecdotal style, it is a very readable narrative of early code- and cipher-breaking, wireless and cable interception, secret inks, and spy-catching. These revelations were enough to make it an instant best-seller but, unfortunately for him, Yardley went too far.'

It is reported that in May 1941, General Joseph Mauborgne (Chief Signal Officer, U.S. Army) recommended to the Canadians that they hire Herbert Yardley whom he described as "an expert cryptographer and fine organizer". Yardley worked for the Canadian cryptographic section from June to December 1941. There had been great pressure by the U.S. and U.K. to have him dismissed.

Image Link	Description	Comments / Questions	Additional Web Information/Photos
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"The American Black Chamber" - 1931	This was the first and most provocative book written by Herbert Yardley in 1931 - this edition was published by Faber & Faber Limited.	Wikipedia website on the book "The American Black Chamber". PDF Scan of William Friedman's annotated copy of "The American Black Chamber". Youtube Video on William Friedman's annotated copy of "The American Black Chamber".
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"The American Black Chamber" - 1931	This was the first and most provocative book written by Herbert Yardley in 1931 - this edition was published by Bobbs-Merrill.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"The American Black Chamber" - Japanese Edition.	As Yardley's book revealed much of the success in decrypting Japanese ciphers, his book was quickly translated in Japanese!
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"Le Cabinet Noir Américain" - 1935	French version was released in 1935 - this book was published by Editions de la Nouvelle Revue Critique in France.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"Secret Service in America " - 1940	More or less a republication of "The American Black Chamber" under a new title in 1940.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"The Blonde Countess" - 1934	A novel written in 1934 later made into the movie "Rendez-Vous".
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"Red Sun of Nippon" - 1934	A novel written in 1934.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"Crows are Black Everywhere" - 1945	A novel written in 1945.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"Chinese Black Chamber" - 1983 (published posthumously)	An account of the Chinese Black Chamber such as it was in the late 1930's.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"Yardleygrams" - 1932	A book with secret codes and puzzles to be solved by the reader.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"Ciphergrams" - 1930's	A book with secret codes and puzzles to be solved by the reader. The edition shown has a blue covers under the dust jacket. Here is a photo of another edition without dust jacket.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"The Education of a Poker Player" - 1957	A book on strategies to increase odds of winning at Poker.
Click for larger photo Source: Personal Collection	"The Education of a Poker Player" - UK Edition 1959	A book on strategies to increase odds of winning at Poker.