The Snowden Files

The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man

By: Luke Harding

Narrated by: Nicholas Guy Smith

In a tour de force of investigative journalism that reads like a spy novel, award-winning Guardian reporter Luke Harding tells Edward Snowden’s astonishing story

Edward Snowden was a 29-year-old computer genius working for the National Security Agency when he shocked the world by exposing the near-universal mass surveillance programs of the United States government. His whistleblowing has shaken the leaders of nations worldwide, and generated a passionate public debate on the dangers of global monitoring and the threat to individual privacy.

For the first time, Harding brings together the many sources and strands of the story, from the day Snowden left his glamorous girlfriend in Honolulu carrying a hard drive full of secrets, to the weeks of his secret-spilling in Hong Kong, to his battle for asylum and his exile in Moscow. Harding touches on everything from concerns about domestic spying to the complicity of the tech sector—while also placing us in the room with Edward Snowden himself.

The result is a gripping insider narrative—and a necessary and timely account of what is at stake for all of us in the new digital age.

Good info, just kinda long and drawn out

Really good info. Not as entertaining as I thought it would be. Still, I'm glad I listened to it. Everyone should!

Scary

The book was rated scary because it is a true story. My past heroes such as President Obama forces me to look through the lenses of Mr. Snowden my new hero. Yes, you are alone in this world. I highly recommend this book.

we are all being scrutinized

The biggest takeaway with this book is that the virtual world is not governed by the Constitution, so Obama and Bush don't care about your privacy. The major software companies, Apple being one of the last, gave back door access to the NSA. It is all legal in their minds. In today's news we see China complaining about this back door access. You can bet that the entire G-20 wants to protect their little fraternity. Whatever we think we have these guys have something that can probably read minds by now. Maybe we will all become some sort of cyber zombies? I pound into this iPad 5 hours a day with endless drivel. It is reshaping my thinking. The machines really are too much. You are not anonymous, so don't ever feel that way. Big Brother is watching. Down with Big Brother. Power to the people!

Important Book

Very good book. I also listened to Glenn Greenwald's book on the same topic. Both are definitely worth a listen.

Scope and Substance.

This account match my understanding of the sequence of events, but I enjoyed learning more about reactions outside of the US and UK!

had my attention the entire time

will be listening to this multiple times. took me a few weeks to complete, but had my attention every time I listened to it.

very informative read

The narrator was fantastic but often felt the details of the story was hard for a techno challenged individual such as myself to understand.

Fills in a lot of gaps for thing I did not know.

What made the experience of listening to The Snowden Files the most enjoyable?

To read along with the paperback copy of the book, first time I did it, and I really enjoyed it.The updated version of the paperback has an extra chapter.

Which scene was your favorite?

How the Germany is a more like a safe haven, especially for those who like to reveal top secrets like Laura Poitras. Oliver Stone film most of the UN scenes in Germany.

Any additional comments?

In January 2016, I knew Oliver Stone was making a movie, base on this book. I let it rest till I finish another book.But when Tim Cook of Apple announced his concerns for the security of the iOS software, I dump the other book, and started reading this one.

Eye opening

Sorry to say the spying infrastructure is huge, troubling, and subject to abuse. Would love to see US apply 4th Amendment worldwide, regardless of nationality. Thankfully there are provisions for specific warrants from public courts. USG should use those provisions.

Brilliant work

Absolutely brilliant look into the people behind the leaks. A must-read for anybody interested in the NSA whistle-blowing story.

Not only does this book do a brilliant job piecing together a look into who Snowden was in the many years prior to his entry into the public eye, but it delves into the subsequent struggles faced by the news organizations in their efforts to publish.

This book is a perfect companion to Glenn Greenwald's "No Place to Hide".