Digital Fortress

By: Dan Brown

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Before the multi-million, runaway bestseller The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown set his razor-sharp research and storytelling skills on the most powerful intelligence organization on earth—the National Security Agency (NSA)—in this thrilling novel, Digital Fortress.

When the National Security Agency’s invincible code-breaking machine encounters a mysterious code it cannot break, the agency calls its head cryptographer, Susan Fletcher, a brilliant, beautiful mathematician. What she uncovers sends shock waves through the corridors of power. The NSA is being held hostage…not by guns or bombs but by a code so complex that if released would cripple U.S. intelligence.

Caught in an accelerating tempest of secrecy and lies, Fletcher battles to save the agency she believes in. Betrayed on all sides, she finds herself fighting not only for her country but for her life. It is a battle for survival—a crucial bid to destroy a creation of inconceivable genius that threatens to obliterate the balance of world power…for all time.

©1998 Dan Brown (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

“In this fast-paced, plausible tale, Brown blurs the line between good and evil enough to delight patriots and paranoids alike.” —Publishers Weekly

“Digital Fortress is the best and most realistic techno-thriller to reach the market in years... A chilling thrill a minute.” —The Midwest Book Review

"A disturbing, cutting-edge techno thriller that should galvanize everyone who sends or receives email or even dreams of navigating the Web." —John J. Nance, author of Pandora's Clock, The Last Hostage

Exceptional story with a mundane narration.

although the story was intriguing the narration could have been a lot better. It does feel like the narrator has tried to put in a lot of effort except the fact that it didn't pan out the way he intended it to. It was hard stay focused with a such a voice that tries a little too much.

For the Analytical Type

For any one that works with databases, encryption software, etc. Or for anyone who thinks "Big Brother" is up to something and likes to read about it. I found this to be a very thrilling book of what might actually be a possibility in the future. Any maybe Brown has some "inside" information that we don't had is already happening. It was easy to dicpher the villian early on, so the great surprise was in the key.

Extracting ones Digital is not always easy

To be fair, light and interesting and if you like DB this is up to his mark. The twists and turns are not as sharp as they might be making the ride a little predictable. But as a story teller he is always good value provided you like to be entertained and do not take the world too seriously.

Good Listen

Good plot and story overall, but it seemed to drag on unnecessarily at times. Narrator did a nice job.

Moderately Entertaining

This showed promise but ultimately proved to me to be fair. I will however you should decide for yourself. Peace!

Meh...

I enjoy reading Dan Brown; I find his books are based on interesting ideas and concepts, and Digital Fortress is no exception.

I noted in my review of "Angels and Demons" that Brown's story-telling improves between that book and "The Da Vinci Code". "Digital Fortress", written before "Angels and Demons" further proves that sentiment. Heather from Fullerton's comment that it's "not quite as sophisticated" is spot on.

The book starts off well enough, and it was ticking along fine until towards the end, when the characters - and therefore the story line - seemed inexplicably struck dumb.

I read this book basically because it's written by Dan Brown, and I was curious to see what else he has written; as I said off the top, I find the ideas and concepts he writes about quite interesting.

But if you're debating whether or not to get this book, I would say spend your money on something else - even another (later) Dan Brown book!

Hard to stop reading

I am a Dan Brown fan and most of his books are the same. No, not the same in content, but the same in that they are hard to stop reading. If I could have, I would have read this one all the way through in one sitting. Real life tends to get in the way of such things however, so it took me about a week. Either because I know Dan's style of writing, or because I was reading with an open mind, I had a bit of an idea of who was who and who would do what, but that did not make the book any less interesting. What I liked most was how obvious the password was in the end, that is one thing which I did not guess.Susan was a good character and I liked the way she was described in both physical appearance and personality. Tankado was a great character as well, despite not being in the book very much, at least interactively. Highly recommended reading.

Will keep you in suspense

There are 3 plots all taking place at the same time. They develop quickly and two of the three have numerous twists and turns. You are kept in suspense to the very end. Enjoyable, hard to put down

Good but beginning was long

So I am a scientist. It was a good story line but some of the technical explanations in the beginning and end were too long. Though not wrong

Evolving writing style

Best part of the book was gaining insight into the "cutting edge" technology of 1998 seen from the lense of 2015. Listened to this Audible book via my iPhone 6+ connected via Bluetooth to my car. Very frustrated that one of the protagonists couldn't just text the other. Humorous that the final problem wasn't just solved immediately with a Google search.