"Nugent's deep and discerning dive in the archives has—and not for the first time—surfaced striking new conceptual treasures for the analysis of state-making. <i>The Encrypted State</i> enlarges and enriches our understanding of how 'flailing' states disguise their disorder with the pretense of routine and, behind the scenes, paranoia. A superb and lasting contribution."—James C. Scott, author of <i>Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed</i>

"This brilliant, inspired book reshapes the debate about 'the state' in a number of disciplines, challenging virtually all the prevailing orthodoxies about states in their relation to societies. Nugent's theoretical insights are hard-won, arising organically from deep immersion in empirical, archival research."—Akhil Gupta, UCLA

"When states 'state' they often do so not as well-oiled rational bureaucratic machines but rather in hysterical, delusional, and paranoid ways. Based on fascinating archival sources, Nugent's study of a state ruled by fear sheds new light on the regional history of Chachapoyas and the political history of modern Peru. Above all, it makes a deeply original contribution to the literature on state formation."—Paulo Drinot, University College London