Publication
Picador (2015), Edition: Reprint, 304 pages
Description
"Investigative reporter for The Guardian and bestselling author Glenn Greenwald, provides an in-depth look into the NSA scandal that has triggered a national debate over national security and information privacy. With further revelations from documents entrusted to Glenn Greenwald by Edward Snowden himself, this book explores the extraordinary cooperation between private industry and the NSA, and the far-reaching consequences of the government's surveillance program, both domestically and abroad" --
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Genres
User reviews
LibraryThing member edwinbcn
Particularly since the death of Christopher Hitchens, it is important that a new generation of critical journalists takes over, to keep the general readership informed of the way in which civil liberties are undermined and threatened. Glenn Greenwald may not seem the most sympathetic journalist to
The book No place to hide. Edward Snowden, the NSA and the surveillance state can roughly be divided into three parts. In the first chapter, the author relates the story of Edward Snowden and the origins of the news story. It shows that the emergence of the story took Snowden a much longer time than has so far transpired in mainstream media reports. This chapter also demonstrates the devious ways in which the media work, particularly how deeply some American news media are now entrenched or embedded in or with the American authorities, to protect American national and government interests. Greenwald is barely honest enough to admit that he nearly missed the opportunity to get in touch with Snowden, and throughout the story his own interests as a journalist keep ringing through. A certain degree of ruthlessness and egoism shines through, together with the ambvalence of the Guardian whether or not to publish, and the somewhat toxic relation between the paper and the reporter. But perhaps such ruthlessness is what it takes to get heard, these days, and possibly Greenwalds personality is a product of our times.
The first chapter tells the story of Edgar Snowden in a gripping, detective-like style, ennumerating many details omitted from the media. It is a high-pace, exciting story.
The second chapter explains the workings of the NSA and its spying systems. The chapter is richly illustrated with screen shorts and graphics to demonstrate how the NSA spies on civilians, and anyone its agents decide to investigate with closer scrutiny. The chapter also effectively demonstrates the power of the system, to shockingly reveal that its capacity is effectively such that in can monitor all and everyone. It is a clear warning that no-one should feel safe in the ignorance that such a system could not achieve its objectives.
The final chapters of No place to hide. Edward Snowden, the NSA and the surveillance state are written as essayistic reflections on the further ramifications of the idea that the government spies on its citizens and a priori assumes that anyone outside its borders (or within) is a potential threat.
The book is particularly interesting for readers who missed the extensive reporting on the story as it unfolded in the media.
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do so, but he does well.The book No place to hide. Edward Snowden, the NSA and the surveillance state can roughly be divided into three parts. In the first chapter, the author relates the story of Edward Snowden and the origins of the news story. It shows that the emergence of the story took Snowden a much longer time than has so far transpired in mainstream media reports. This chapter also demonstrates the devious ways in which the media work, particularly how deeply some American news media are now entrenched or embedded in or with the American authorities, to protect American national and government interests. Greenwald is barely honest enough to admit that he nearly missed the opportunity to get in touch with Snowden, and throughout the story his own interests as a journalist keep ringing through. A certain degree of ruthlessness and egoism shines through, together with the ambvalence of the Guardian whether or not to publish, and the somewhat toxic relation between the paper and the reporter. But perhaps such ruthlessness is what it takes to get heard, these days, and possibly Greenwalds personality is a product of our times.
The first chapter tells the story of Edgar Snowden in a gripping, detective-like style, ennumerating many details omitted from the media. It is a high-pace, exciting story.
The second chapter explains the workings of the NSA and its spying systems. The chapter is richly illustrated with screen shorts and graphics to demonstrate how the NSA spies on civilians, and anyone its agents decide to investigate with closer scrutiny. The chapter also effectively demonstrates the power of the system, to shockingly reveal that its capacity is effectively such that in can monitor all and everyone. It is a clear warning that no-one should feel safe in the ignorance that such a system could not achieve its objectives.
The final chapters of No place to hide. Edward Snowden, the NSA and the surveillance state are written as essayistic reflections on the further ramifications of the idea that the government spies on its citizens and a priori assumes that anyone outside its borders (or within) is a potential threat.
The book is particularly interesting for readers who missed the extensive reporting on the story as it unfolded in the media.
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LibraryThing member andreas.wpv
Privacy, cybersecurity, NSA and spying on everyone: for me, a must read, and a good read as well - except the parts where the author brags about himself, which are not many, fortunately. Good insight, lots of information and background information, documents, thoughts and also explaining why we
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should care. Show Less
LibraryThing member wethewatched
It's easy to feel a bit of information overload when you first learn about an information leak revealing that the NSA has spied on regular American citizens and that major Internet companies like Microsoft and Facebook have helped them do it.
Glenn Greenwald is the reporter who read through
Now, with his excellent book No Place to Hide, Greenwald offers an insightful and comprehensive discussion of the controversial documents. Greenwald clearly lays out the most significant revelations and why they matter to everyday people.
The first part reads like a spy novel, grabbing the reader from the first page with an exciting account of how Snowden first contacted Greenwald, their secret meeting in Hong Kong, and the ensuing behind-the-scenes drama to get the information into the newspapers. While some have criticized the Snowden leak as threatening national security, the book highlights the care and scrutiny with which Greenwald and his collaborator Laura Poitras handled the classified documents, seeking to shine light without putting anyone's lives in danger.
The next two sections contain less narrative, spending more time explaining the most significant revelations and why surveillance is harmful to society. While they don't read quite as fast as the thrilling opening, these parts are great for anyone who had trouble keeping up with the Snowden leaks and what they meant.
Greenwald closes with a critical and thought-provoking discussion of the American media and what he perceives as journalists' growing sympathy to the government. In Greenwald's view, journalism has lost its investigative edge, giving too much power to the government to decide what information is published -- and perhaps more critically -- what information is not.
As a journalist, I found this section fascinating. While it paints a dismal picture of corporate media, the book's existence provides optimism for the rise of independent journalists to maintain the mantle of the Fourth Estate.
Glenn Greenwald is the reporter who read through
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countless documents provided by the whistleblower Edward Snowden and wrote the first news articles bringing that information to the public's attention.Now, with his excellent book No Place to Hide, Greenwald offers an insightful and comprehensive discussion of the controversial documents. Greenwald clearly lays out the most significant revelations and why they matter to everyday people.
The first part reads like a spy novel, grabbing the reader from the first page with an exciting account of how Snowden first contacted Greenwald, their secret meeting in Hong Kong, and the ensuing behind-the-scenes drama to get the information into the newspapers. While some have criticized the Snowden leak as threatening national security, the book highlights the care and scrutiny with which Greenwald and his collaborator Laura Poitras handled the classified documents, seeking to shine light without putting anyone's lives in danger.
The next two sections contain less narrative, spending more time explaining the most significant revelations and why surveillance is harmful to society. While they don't read quite as fast as the thrilling opening, these parts are great for anyone who had trouble keeping up with the Snowden leaks and what they meant.
Greenwald closes with a critical and thought-provoking discussion of the American media and what he perceives as journalists' growing sympathy to the government. In Greenwald's view, journalism has lost its investigative edge, giving too much power to the government to decide what information is published -- and perhaps more critically -- what information is not.
As a journalist, I found this section fascinating. While it paints a dismal picture of corporate media, the book's existence provides optimism for the rise of independent journalists to maintain the mantle of the Fourth Estate.
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LibraryThing member PhilipJHunt
Such an important book! It gets 5 stars because every thinking person on earth should read it and consider deeply its message.
I read the "Edward Snowden Files" in March, the story of the NSA whistle-blower told from the perspective of the Guardian journalists. Now here is the point of view of Glenn
Of course, the surprise is that this is a surprise. Decades ago analysis such as that done by the Glasgow University School of Communications showed how late 20th century journalism had become a conservative force for maintaining the status quo. Greenwald's analysis only shows how more profoundly true that is today.
The book is easy to read. Nicely balanced between the adventure of the chase for the story, and his analysis of what it all means. I would say he is hopeful and a bit scared by the implications. Me too.
I read the "Edward Snowden Files" in March, the story of the NSA whistle-blower told from the perspective of the Guardian journalists. Now here is the point of view of Glenn
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Greenwald, the journalist who conveyed Snowden's story to the world. The two books are complementary and consistent in their stories, but Greenwald's message is much more clearly articulated. His Chapter 5 analysis of the role of the modern media in maintaining the powers that be, rather than as a force for change, is trenchant (in every connotation of that word).Of course, the surprise is that this is a surprise. Decades ago analysis such as that done by the Glasgow University School of Communications showed how late 20th century journalism had become a conservative force for maintaining the status quo. Greenwald's analysis only shows how more profoundly true that is today.
The book is easy to read. Nicely balanced between the adventure of the chase for the story, and his analysis of what it all means. I would say he is hopeful and a bit scared by the implications. Me too.
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LibraryThing member jess_reads
Captivating, thrilling, and terrifying. Greenwald knows how to tell a story, and I'm definitely going to read more about government surveillance, technology, and the threat to our (online) privacy in this next year.
LibraryThing member SqueakyChu
It's hard to know where to begin in describing this book. I sort of knew about Edward Snowden from the time he made the news after revealing top secrets regarding the National Security Agency's secret surveillance of America citizens on all electronic media. Then I decided to read Glenn Greenwald's
The book itself is divided into three parts. The first part describes the original contact with Snowden, the meeting in his Hong Kong Hotel Room, and his escape to Moscow. The second part of the book shows copies of actual documents taken from NSA with areas blocked out so as not to cause any harm to individuals. The last part summarizes how Snowden's activities have affected others.
The book is written so that it is easy to understand. Glenn Greenwald takes it slowly so that the reader can absorb this information. Acronyms are explained, and reasons are given for the actions that were taken. The book is totally fascinating. At the end, I could only be amazed that someone would risk so much to preserve the freedom of the American public. When you are always under surveillance, you are not free.
I learned from this book that the American government is not as good as it seems or tries to make itself look. That the American government could flagrantly disregard constitutional law (i.e. the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution) as it claimed it was fighting terrorism is mind-blowing.
In conclusion, Glenn Greenwald writes, "Snowden...has reminded everyone about the extraordinary ability of any human being to change the world. An ordinary person in all outward respects--raised by parents without particular wealth or power, lacking even a high school diploma, working as an obscure employee of a giant corporation--he has, through a single act of conscience, literally altered the course of history."
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book to learn more specifically about what he did, and I am very glad I did so. I've gotten a great understanding of what happened. Just prior to finishing the book, I also saw the Academy Award winning documentary, "Citizenfour" by Laura Poitras. All I could say was, "Wow!" I know that Edward Snowden is a very controversial figure, but, after reading this book, I can say that he is my hero. I do know that Big Brother is reading this. The book itself is divided into three parts. The first part describes the original contact with Snowden, the meeting in his Hong Kong Hotel Room, and his escape to Moscow. The second part of the book shows copies of actual documents taken from NSA with areas blocked out so as not to cause any harm to individuals. The last part summarizes how Snowden's activities have affected others.
The book is written so that it is easy to understand. Glenn Greenwald takes it slowly so that the reader can absorb this information. Acronyms are explained, and reasons are given for the actions that were taken. The book is totally fascinating. At the end, I could only be amazed that someone would risk so much to preserve the freedom of the American public. When you are always under surveillance, you are not free.
I learned from this book that the American government is not as good as it seems or tries to make itself look. That the American government could flagrantly disregard constitutional law (i.e. the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution) as it claimed it was fighting terrorism is mind-blowing.
In conclusion, Glenn Greenwald writes, "Snowden...has reminded everyone about the extraordinary ability of any human being to change the world. An ordinary person in all outward respects--raised by parents without particular wealth or power, lacking even a high school diploma, working as an obscure employee of a giant corporation--he has, through a single act of conscience, literally altered the course of history."
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LibraryThing member yeremenko
An important read just as much for the insight into media complicity with the surveillance state, than the revelations made by Snowden. Greenwald accurately and methodically shows how time honored dishonest tactics have allowed governments, and their media lapdogs to erode our freedoms. Criticism
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by some that Greenwald inders himself too much into the story are far off base. He was the one that had his character assassinated, his husband detained, his home broken into, was threatened with arrest, even murder. It is his story, and he is abig part of the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Justantolin
My opinion for this novel is multi-faceted. I understand the gravity of the issue at hand, which is that America is becoming dominated by an omnipotent "Big Brother". I think that this is a topic that every American should at least be familiarized with and take a position on. As technology
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progresses and becomes more and more invasive, now is the time to create legislature that regulates such invasions. This legislature should be produced with heavy influence by the people themselves because his is a matter of the government directly engaging with the populace, and our representatives seem to lack the trust to make such decisions ( as Snowden reports). On the other hand, I found the author's personal conjecture at the end to be unnecessary, as I find the hard story and facts to be the meat of any production. His perceptions seemed to be shrouded by the heat of such a riveting, "modern-day espionage" story. Show Less
LibraryThing member schatzi
I'm giving this book five stars, even though the book isn't perfect. The first part drags a bit, and if you're looking for a fast-paced tale of espionage, this isn't it either. But it took some serious courage for both Snowden to reveal what he did and for Greenwald to stand up to the US government
I think most (if not all) readers coming to this book know about Edward Snowden, at least a little bit, so I'm not going to talk about him in this review. And Greenwald doesn't go into great detail about Snowden, either; sure, he mentions Snowden's background and how he got to be where he was, but this is no biography of Snowden. Instead, Greenwald's main focus for the last half of the book (which is by far the more interesting half) is the NSA and the American surveillance state - and that is how Snowden wanted it.
Look, everyone has an opinion about Snowden. He's a hero. He's a traitor. He's a patriot. He's a turncoat. He's selfless. He's a narcissistic egomaniac. He's a paragon of virtue. He belongs in prison. He's trying to set the country right by exposing the NSA. He's trying to bring the country down by exposing state secrets. But you know what? None of that fucking matters. Because instead of demonizing Snowden, or even putting him on a pedestal, we should be focused on what the documents he released actually say, rather than focusing on the medium.
I have my own opinions of Snowden. I do see him as a patriot. But my opinion of him does not matter.
What matters is that the NSA, under both Republican and Democratic presidencies, has been spying on American citizens and doesn't give one fucking shit about civil liberties. And someone can argue, which many have, "oh, if you don't have anything to hide, you shouldn't be afraid." Can anyone HONESTLY say that they have nothing to hide? Really? Never looked at some porn you'd not want your parents, significant other, or kids to find out about? Never cheated on a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse? Never torrented files (music, ebooks, movies, whatever)? Never totally trashed your boss in an email? Never broke a law, no matter how petty? Never smoked some weed in an illegal state?
I am not saying the NSA will target anyone in particular. But if you cross their radar paths and they view you, for whatever reason, as a threat, they can and WILL use anything against you that they can dig up - and as the documents Edward Snowden released shows, they can dig up a whole bunch of shit.
Greenwald prints a lot of things in this book that the NSA definitely did not want people to see. There are PowerPoint slides, memos, briefings, etc that are all in this book (see chapter three, mostly). And they paint a picture that is absolutely chilling.
And not only does Greenwald expose the NSA - he exposes corporate "journalism," which toadies up to those in charge. I've said for a long while that mass media can't be trusted, and the treatment of Snowden, Greenwald, the Guardian, and the NSA in "journalistic" circles just proves that. Hell, I grew up in a town where the newspaper only printed news that the "powers that be" in the town decided was newsworthy - and if they didn't want a story getting printed in the local paper, it sure didn't, even if the Columbus Dispatch and other local papers were running it on the front page. To think that this isn't happening on a national level is willful ignorance at this point.
Greenwald is far more optimistic about Snowden's leak than I am. I'm a pessimist at heart. And I see so many people trying to flay Snowden's character instead of focusing on what ACTUALLY FUCKING MATTERS. But there was definitely some good that came from the NSA leaks, if only to show the blatant disregard that the US government (and it doesn't matter WHICH party) has for those it is supposedly serving (the people) and their rights.
Highly recommended.
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(amid calls for his arrest and prosecution for even daring to print articles using the leaked NSA documents), and I am just giving two thumbs up (and would give more if I had more thumbs) for them refusing to back down.I think most (if not all) readers coming to this book know about Edward Snowden, at least a little bit, so I'm not going to talk about him in this review. And Greenwald doesn't go into great detail about Snowden, either; sure, he mentions Snowden's background and how he got to be where he was, but this is no biography of Snowden. Instead, Greenwald's main focus for the last half of the book (which is by far the more interesting half) is the NSA and the American surveillance state - and that is how Snowden wanted it.
Look, everyone has an opinion about Snowden. He's a hero. He's a traitor. He's a patriot. He's a turncoat. He's selfless. He's a narcissistic egomaniac. He's a paragon of virtue. He belongs in prison. He's trying to set the country right by exposing the NSA. He's trying to bring the country down by exposing state secrets. But you know what? None of that fucking matters. Because instead of demonizing Snowden, or even putting him on a pedestal, we should be focused on what the documents he released actually say, rather than focusing on the medium.
I have my own opinions of Snowden. I do see him as a patriot. But my opinion of him does not matter.
What matters is that the NSA, under both Republican and Democratic presidencies, has been spying on American citizens and doesn't give one fucking shit about civil liberties. And someone can argue, which many have, "oh, if you don't have anything to hide, you shouldn't be afraid." Can anyone HONESTLY say that they have nothing to hide? Really? Never looked at some porn you'd not want your parents, significant other, or kids to find out about? Never cheated on a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse? Never torrented files (music, ebooks, movies, whatever)? Never totally trashed your boss in an email? Never broke a law, no matter how petty? Never smoked some weed in an illegal state?
I am not saying the NSA will target anyone in particular. But if you cross their radar paths and they view you, for whatever reason, as a threat, they can and WILL use anything against you that they can dig up - and as the documents Edward Snowden released shows, they can dig up a whole bunch of shit.
Greenwald prints a lot of things in this book that the NSA definitely did not want people to see. There are PowerPoint slides, memos, briefings, etc that are all in this book (see chapter three, mostly). And they paint a picture that is absolutely chilling.
And not only does Greenwald expose the NSA - he exposes corporate "journalism," which toadies up to those in charge. I've said for a long while that mass media can't be trusted, and the treatment of Snowden, Greenwald, the Guardian, and the NSA in "journalistic" circles just proves that. Hell, I grew up in a town where the newspaper only printed news that the "powers that be" in the town decided was newsworthy - and if they didn't want a story getting printed in the local paper, it sure didn't, even if the Columbus Dispatch and other local papers were running it on the front page. To think that this isn't happening on a national level is willful ignorance at this point.
Greenwald is far more optimistic about Snowden's leak than I am. I'm a pessimist at heart. And I see so many people trying to flay Snowden's character instead of focusing on what ACTUALLY FUCKING MATTERS. But there was definitely some good that came from the NSA leaks, if only to show the blatant disregard that the US government (and it doesn't matter WHICH party) has for those it is supposedly serving (the people) and their rights.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member jwilker
So I watched Citizen Four a while back, and think it helped in reading this. Though not nec. it certainly helped me remember parts of the documentary, as well as vicualize parts of the story as they unfolded.
That said, wow, good book. Scary, and pretty depressing, but good, and everyone should
It's startling to see just how far our government (including the President i voted for and mostly love) has gone to erasing our privacy. How far in the pocket our journalists are, and how much we've willingly or otherwise given up in the name of (false) security.
Greenwald does an excellent job pointing out the lies (outright and by omission) our government and media have spread to convince us that we're somehow safer having either given up or (more often than not) had taken away our rights.
it's eye opening to see how bad it's gotten, and how completely untrustworthy our media is with regard to our government.
That said, wow, good book. Scary, and pretty depressing, but good, and everyone should
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read it.It's startling to see just how far our government (including the President i voted for and mostly love) has gone to erasing our privacy. How far in the pocket our journalists are, and how much we've willingly or otherwise given up in the name of (false) security.
Greenwald does an excellent job pointing out the lies (outright and by omission) our government and media have spread to convince us that we're somehow safer having either given up or (more often than not) had taken away our rights.
it's eye opening to see how bad it's gotten, and how completely untrustworthy our media is with regard to our government.
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LibraryThing member rosechimera
That Snowden exposed all that he did is incredibly important. However, I don't entirely trust Greenwald. If he presented dispassionately and simply factually I would be blown away. Through his career I'm reticent to subscribe to his conclusions because he will ignore swathes of information and
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passionately come to a conclusion. He also gets into tawdry pointless exchanges with trolls. Show Less
LibraryThing member Daniel.Estes
As I write this, the conclusion of the Edward Snowden story remains unresolved. The fallout after the leaks were a mix of outrage and apathy, and Snowden himself is still exiled overseas.
LibraryThing member ffifield
The Snowden part was good, reading through all the government documents was tedious.
LibraryThing member malexmave
Well, I didn't mean to tear through this book quite this fast, but it was so well-written that I really couldn't help myself. An interesting mix of biography, journalistic article, and comment. I'd recommend this to basically anyone politically interested (who is not a (neo)conservative), and to
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people whishing to be politically interested, and to people I would like to be politically interested. So, yes, read this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member antao
And what are they vacuuming up? A daily 1.7 billion e-mails, phone calls, crank calls, dropped calls, robo-calls, Nigerian-investment e-mails, YouTube videos of Justin Booby and other types of communications. The banalities of a nation. Ladies and gentlemen, attend.
- - -
VOICE (female): Hello.
VOICE
WOMAN: (female, purring) Well, hello.
MAN: Darling, I want you to know I love you and want you to marry me.
WOMAN: Oh, yes, yes. Oh, Peter, yes.
MAN: Peter? I’m Harry! Isn’t this Melissa?
WOMAN: No, it’s Penelope.
MAN: Sorry, wrong number. (click)
- - -
NICELY: I got the horse right here, his name is Paul Revere, and the weather’s clear. Can do?
BENNY: Can do. I'm pickin' Valentine, 'cause on the morning line, a guy has got him figured at five to nine.
NICELY: Can do. (click)
- - -
CUSTOMER: I need five super-grande monster pizzas with everything.
CLERK: Address?
CUSTOMER: 1600 Pennsylvania, N.W., west gate.
CLERK: Oh. DEFCON 3 special coming up. (click)
- - -
VOICE: (female robot) This is Rachel from Credit Card Services. This is your second and final notice --
VOICEOVER: (male, irritated) Promises, promises. Fifth time this week alone. (click)
- - -
VOICE (female, nasal): Is this Mr. John O’Brennan?
VOICE (male, irked): This is Mr. John O. Brennan. Who is this?
VOICE (female): Mr. O’Brennan, this is Miss Tomlin at AT&T. We have a $27.6 million unpaid bill for all the data and phone surveillance you and General David P. Trellis had us do for your company. Now when may we expect payment?
DCI BRENNAN: What are you doing on my private line?
MISS TOMLIN: Now, now, don’t get huffy. We at the phone company know a lot of things about your private line, including (paper crinkling) er, the one to Mme. LaFuchsia’s Leakywicks Massage Parlor and Bar & Grill (snort).
DCI BRENNAN: Do you know who I am?
MISS TOMLIN: Now, now, Mr. O’Brennan, you’re talking to someone who can detach all of your agency’s (snort) private lines, one massage parlor at a time. Starting with this one. Pay up. (click)
- - -
VOICE (female, young): Pizzas You Can't Refuse. How can I help you?
VOICE (male, definitely so): The, uh, Prime Minister is giving us 15 minutes to remove our drones from his airspace, and the chairman wants the, uh, prisoners returned, and I’ve got Lindsey Graham on Line 2.
VOICE (female, irked): Your pizzas are already on their way, Mr. President.
(both parties disconnected)
- - -
VOICE (female): Hello.
VOICE
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(male): It’s me.WOMAN: (female, purring) Well, hello.
MAN: Darling, I want you to know I love you and want you to marry me.
WOMAN: Oh, yes, yes. Oh, Peter, yes.
MAN: Peter? I’m Harry! Isn’t this Melissa?
WOMAN: No, it’s Penelope.
MAN: Sorry, wrong number. (click)
- - -
NICELY: I got the horse right here, his name is Paul Revere, and the weather’s clear. Can do?
BENNY: Can do. I'm pickin' Valentine, 'cause on the morning line, a guy has got him figured at five to nine.
NICELY: Can do. (click)
- - -
CUSTOMER: I need five super-grande monster pizzas with everything.
CLERK: Address?
CUSTOMER: 1600 Pennsylvania, N.W., west gate.
CLERK: Oh. DEFCON 3 special coming up. (click)
- - -
VOICE: (female robot) This is Rachel from Credit Card Services. This is your second and final notice --
VOICEOVER: (male, irritated) Promises, promises. Fifth time this week alone. (click)
- - -
VOICE (female, nasal): Is this Mr. John O’Brennan?
VOICE (male, irked): This is Mr. John O. Brennan. Who is this?
VOICE (female): Mr. O’Brennan, this is Miss Tomlin at AT&T. We have a $27.6 million unpaid bill for all the data and phone surveillance you and General David P. Trellis had us do for your company. Now when may we expect payment?
DCI BRENNAN: What are you doing on my private line?
MISS TOMLIN: Now, now, don’t get huffy. We at the phone company know a lot of things about your private line, including (paper crinkling) er, the one to Mme. LaFuchsia’s Leakywicks Massage Parlor and Bar & Grill (snort).
DCI BRENNAN: Do you know who I am?
MISS TOMLIN: Now, now, Mr. O’Brennan, you’re talking to someone who can detach all of your agency’s (snort) private lines, one massage parlor at a time. Starting with this one. Pay up. (click)
- - -
VOICE (female, young): Pizzas You Can't Refuse. How can I help you?
VOICE (male, definitely so): The, uh, Prime Minister is giving us 15 minutes to remove our drones from his airspace, and the chairman wants the, uh, prisoners returned, and I’ve got Lindsey Graham on Line 2.
VOICE (female, irked): Your pizzas are already on their way, Mr. President.
(both parties disconnected)
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LibraryThing member rosechimera
That Snowden exposed all that he did is incredibly important. However, I don't entirely trust Greenwald. If he presented dispassionately and simply factually I would be blown away. Through his career I'm reticent to subscribe to his conclusions because he will ignore swathes of information and
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passionately come to a conclusion. He also gets into tawdry pointless exchanges with trolls. Show Less
LibraryThing member PattyLee
Fascinating. Hard to believe. What is truth and can we ever know it? What happens when the Fourth Estate fails in its duty to the public good. For that matter, what happens when elected politicians similarly fail. Scary.
Awards
Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction (Longlist — Nonfiction — 2015)
Paddy Power Political Book Award (Shortlist — 2015)
Booklist Editor's Choice: Adult Books (Social Sciences — 2014)
San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year (Nonfiction — 2014)
Library Journal Top Ten Book (2014)
Notable Books List (2015)
Globe and Mail Top 100 Book (Nonfiction — 2014)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — Nonfiction — 2014)
Original publication date
2014
Pages
304
ISBN
1250062586 / 9781250062581