herbaceousriot 's review for:

Permanent Record by Edward Snowden

5.0

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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Let me start by saying: Edward Snowden is the hero we didn’t deserve but definitely needed. The fact that he risked his life, freedom, and reputation to expose the truth is incredible, and this book gives you an up-close-and-personal look at the man behind the headlines. Spoiler: he’s not the villain the media wants you to believe he is.

Snowden’s writing is straightforward but compelling, which makes sense because his story doesn’t need extra fluff. What really struck me was how relatable he is. His love for computers, the internet, and tech? Same. The way he describes growing up during the dawn of the digital age? So nostalgic, it hurt a little. He captures that magic of early online exploration that I think a lot of us miss—before the algorithms and corporations took over.

But the book isn’t just about his childhood or tech nerd nostalgia. It’s a warning—a deeply personal one—about privacy, government surveillance, and how much we’ve willingly (or unknowingly) given away. And yet, it never feels preachy. Snowden lays out the facts and lets you connect the dots.

On a personal level, I couldn’t help but feel a little wistful reading about the support he had for his love of tech. That’s not something everyone gets, and it makes his story even more powerful—he used that foundation to fight for something bigger than himself.

Whether you agree with his choices or not, this book is a must-read. It’s gripping, thought-provoking, and, at times, a little gut-wrenching. If you care about your digital rights or just love a well-told story, pick this one up.