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jingntonic's review against another edition
3.0
It’s a detailed book about an surprisingly gripping journey of one astronomer’s trek through an early iteration of the internet to hunt down a group of hackers — he was originally tipped off because of a 75 cent accounting error.
The level of documentation is impressive, the techniques are still sensible, and the meta commentary on the easiest ways of hack a system and the need for security and privacy first product design still ring true.
Unlike other reviewers, I enjoyed the tidbits about the author’s personal life. It added texture to the story that kept me engaged because the author, as well as the people he interacted with, are deeply human even as they’re operating within the confines of their context (as we all do).
The level of documentation is impressive, the techniques are still sensible, and the meta commentary on the easiest ways of hack a system and the need for security and privacy first product design still ring true.
Unlike other reviewers, I enjoyed the tidbits about the author’s personal life. It added texture to the story that kept me engaged because the author, as well as the people he interacted with, are deeply human even as they’re operating within the confines of their context (as we all do).
alvarop's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
pondaholic's review against another edition
4.0
I quite liked it--a quick read that incorporates true coding and a real way to breaking into "secure" networks that doesn't result in fictitious "movie hacking." It kept me questioning until the end, but at certain points, most likely because he kept events close to his true situation, lagged. Lots of places glazed over IoT and became repetitive, but all in all I would definitely read it again.
julcoh's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful book. The story is an enthralling peek into the 80s computing culture of Unix Wizards, MILNET, and early networks, but it's Stoll's voice and writing that take this from an exciting technical essay to a surprisingly heartfelt and philosophical tale.
In the course of his 1986 investigation Stoll rubs shoulders with every three-letter agency America had to offer, while living and working in the staunchly leftist Berkeley academic community. His musings on security vs. privacy, clear angst in balancing his political views and home life with the existential needs of his networked community, and wry humor are all a delight to read. In particular, I loved how he described computers and networks from the perspective of each expert he collaborated with... NSA Chief Scientist, TimeNet infrastructure specialist, CIA, Air Force network experts, they all slice the pie in interesting ways.
Stoll's worries about network security and bad actors is both highly prescient, and almost quaint, from the vantage point of 2022.
His interwoven autobiographical story about his partner Martha is also lovely.
Stoll takes care to use "she/her" pronouns instead of the default "he/his" in many passages throughout the book. Something I see more and more of these days, and take care to use myself, but it's refreshing and rare to see it in a 30+ year old book.
* I listened to this on Audible and the reading was superb. A little awkward in some of the code sections, but doesn't detract from the experience.
In the course of his 1986 investigation Stoll rubs shoulders with every three-letter agency America had to offer, while living and working in the staunchly leftist Berkeley academic community. His musings on security vs. privacy, clear angst in balancing his political views and home life with the existential needs of his networked community, and wry humor are all a delight to read. In particular, I loved how he described computers and networks from the perspective of each expert he collaborated with... NSA Chief Scientist, TimeNet infrastructure specialist, CIA, Air Force network experts, they all slice the pie in interesting ways.
Stoll's worries about network security and bad actors is both highly prescient, and almost quaint, from the vantage point of 2022.
His interwoven autobiographical story about his partner Martha is also lovely.
Stoll takes care to use "she/her" pronouns instead of the default "he/his" in many passages throughout the book. Something I see more and more of these days, and take care to use myself, but it's refreshing and rare to see it in a 30+ year old book.
* I listened to this on Audible and the reading was superb. A little awkward in some of the code sections, but doesn't detract from the experience.
stricker's review against another edition
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Well written. For a nonfiction book about computer hackers, a subject I was totally unfamiliar with, this was an easier read than I thought it might be. I really enjoyed it.
saha__man's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazingly woven story!
I was hooked from the very beginning. Although I must admit that all the talk about Unix and networks made a lot of sense to me because of my background, but still, the story is so engrossing that it should be appeal to the average reader as well.
I was hooked from the very beginning. Although I must admit that all the talk about Unix and networks made a lot of sense to me because of my background, but still, the story is so engrossing that it should be appeal to the average reader as well.