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siriuslysirius 's review for:
Permanent Record
by Edward Snowden
First off, Ed (I call him "Ed" because that's what he seems to prefer) is a phenomenal writer and found a fantastic editor. This bio reads like a movie and flowed perfectly.
Of course, Permanent Record starts at the beginning. In the early 80s, as a child, Ed discovers video game consoles and soon thereafter, computers. Instantly, he's enamored. He talks of dial-up and meeting people on BBSes (BBSes were fairly niche back in the late 80s and early 90s) and forums- which is a total throwback for me. Here in these forums, he learns the importance of anonymity and finds that he has a voracious appetite for learning how all of this new tech works. This appetite follows him into adulthood.
Permanent Record is so well written that I didn't notice that the "juicy bits" don't come until the 3rd and final part of the book. I'll spare the details, because you should have an idea of what happened, but probably not the how or the why. I mean, his actions were all over every news outlet around the world. It is Through Permanent Record that Ed humanizes himself. Up until now, I just saw him through the lens of the media. No connection, really. Mad respect, yes. But he was just a dude who has to hide for exposing the deceit, corruption, the blatant illegal actions, and total disregard for the basic human right to privacy of the United States government. What he discovers is disturbing and sickening.
If you have just a passing curiosity or if you're of the "I have nothing to hide and don't care that the government spies on EVERYTHING" mentality, Permanent Record will enlighten you for sure. Well done, Ed and please keep writing!
#PermanentRecord
Of course, Permanent Record starts at the beginning. In the early 80s, as a child, Ed discovers video game consoles and soon thereafter, computers. Instantly, he's enamored. He talks of dial-up and meeting people on BBSes (BBSes were fairly niche back in the late 80s and early 90s) and forums- which is a total throwback for me. Here in these forums, he learns the importance of anonymity and finds that he has a voracious appetite for learning how all of this new tech works. This appetite follows him into adulthood.
Permanent Record is so well written that I didn't notice that the "juicy bits" don't come until the 3rd and final part of the book. I'll spare the details, because you should have an idea of what happened, but probably not the how or the why. I mean, his actions were all over every news outlet around the world. It is Through Permanent Record that Ed humanizes himself. Up until now, I just saw him through the lens of the media. No connection, really. Mad respect, yes. But he was just a dude who has to hide for exposing the deceit, corruption, the blatant illegal actions, and total disregard for the basic human right to privacy of the United States government. What he discovers is disturbing and sickening.
If you have just a passing curiosity or if you're of the "I have nothing to hide and don't care that the government spies on EVERYTHING" mentality, Permanent Record will enlighten you for sure. Well done, Ed and please keep writing!
#PermanentRecord