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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
4.5- I really liked this book. I'm a person who will "greet" the NSA in the middle of phone calls and texts (especially when I've just said something particularly egregious), and I don't cover the webcam on my computer. I know they very well may be there... I conduct a lot of really weird web searches. I also get that they aren't LISTENING listening to phone calls but again... do we really know that? Even with the new regulations that have been implemented since Snowden released the NSA docs, government agencies have shown themselves willing to violate laws, time and time again. And since they know I read this book, and now they know I liked it and I think they are liars, I'm gonna go ahead and say I am a huge Edward Snowden fan, and this book only increased my respect for him. So THERE, NSA.
This book was the most awaited book for me in 2019. I have been following the story of Snowden from the time he revealed to the world the underlying dangers of state sponsored surveillance. I must admit that for somebody who believed in the ideals of democracy, free speech and much more this was deeply disturbing and scary at the same moment. Things get more shocking when one knows it happened under the Obama administration. I would not go into the righteousness of the act but I surely do commend him for the courage. I don't know what side of the aisle a person is when compared to his act but I would surely urge them to read this once. Many of the answers which I was finding have been presented here. Surely Snowden and Assange should be credited with reviving the whole idea that data too is an extended identity of an individual. As our laws have enough protection for personal liberty and free movement similarly there should be enough protections for the data we produce. The very fact that me writing about this book can serve as an indication for intelligence communities to keep a check is disturbing. Or as snowden says maybe they are already doing it.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Incredibly relevant and fascinating memoir. Even if you don't agree with his actions, you should still find out what he has to say. I would recommend this to absolutely anyone.
(3.75/5) This was a book club read for me, and I wasn't sure how I would feel about it. I found it really fascinating. I vaguely remember when Snowden went public, but enjoyed learning more about what was happening behind the scenes and what Snowden's mindset was for releasing ultra-classified documents.
A very interesting story. A very heavy subject that’s pretty surreal. It feels like everyone should read this to get an understanding on the state of surveillance in the US. It also made me think about what personal liberties should be a right. At times I found myself glazing over or distracted while reading this, so perhaps I’ll reread it again in the future to make sure I absorbed the important stuff. Lots of respect to Ed Snowden and Lindsay Mills.
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: The Internet as we knew it has long as changed. They bribed us with convenience, taking our anonymity online. And if we want it back, we have to jump loops, like start using Tor browser. But, let’s face it, we’re slaves to habits and comfort, and we’ll use what we’re used to using. This way further becoming a commodity with illusion of invisibility behind a keyboard. From the smartphone in your pocket, to Alexa or Siri awaiting instructions in the corner of your very home. And here’s how it happened…
My Opinion: You could say that such tracking is more likely a thing in US, or other countries that aren’t as nice as yours when it comes to human rights. But this is why you need this book, for such thinking merely means you no longer notice how many things reach us from exactly the places that monitor us. From the device you’re reading this on, to the software used for it, to the browser you’ll open, and likely, to the page you’re going to enter in it. This way we become commodities no matter where we are: from a company that wants to sell you socks, to the company who wants you to buy it with your card, to whoever wants you to enter all of those digits into those slots. Hopefully though this book will scare you as much as it scared me. And, at the very least, you will fight for your rights to not be monitored the next time people with lack of understanding of what a smartphone is will decide what we’re allowed to share on the internet. We’ve lost one battle already, and I do hope you know how to use VPN.
It’s a great book that I highly recommend to everyone. 5 out of 5 from me. Thank You, Edward Snowden.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: The Internet as we knew it has long as changed. They bribed us with convenience, taking our anonymity online. And if we want it back, we have to jump loops, like start using Tor browser. But, let’s face it, we’re slaves to habits and comfort, and we’ll use what we’re used to using. This way further becoming a commodity with illusion of invisibility behind a keyboard. From the smartphone in your pocket, to Alexa or Siri awaiting instructions in the corner of your very home. And here’s how it happened…
My Opinion: You could say that such tracking is more likely a thing in US, or other countries that aren’t as nice as yours when it comes to human rights. But this is why you need this book, for such thinking merely means you no longer notice how many things reach us from exactly the places that monitor us. From the device you’re reading this on, to the software used for it, to the browser you’ll open, and likely, to the page you’re going to enter in it. This way we become commodities no matter where we are: from a company that wants to sell you socks, to the company who wants you to buy it with your card, to whoever wants you to enter all of those digits into those slots. Hopefully though this book will scare you as much as it scared me. And, at the very least, you will fight for your rights to not be monitored the next time people with lack of understanding of what a smartphone is will decide what we’re allowed to share on the internet. We’ve lost one battle already, and I do hope you know how to use VPN.
It’s a great book that I highly recommend to everyone. 5 out of 5 from me. Thank You, Edward Snowden.
Fascinating and terrifying. I really liked Snowden as a narrator. I did want to know more about what his life in exiles has been like. NSA, I know you're reading this - shame on you.
Ed Snowden is an incredible writer, although a bit difficult to follow at times (technology was over my head). Super interesting story though, and something everyone should read/know about!
I also recommend the movie “Snowden”. Although parts of it don’t match the book spot on, it’s a good summery of Ed’s story.
*3.5 stars
I also recommend the movie “Snowden”. Although parts of it don’t match the book spot on, it’s a good summery of Ed’s story.
*3.5 stars
Very much worth reading. This book takes one inside the mind of the person that blew the lid off the NSA's expansive bulk signals collection program over six years ago now, which changed the public's perception of the world. Many of the revelations are sadly still relevant today, and understanding Snowden's mindset goes a long way toward understanding the world we all live in.