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

Stereotypical characters

Suzanne the main female character was supposed to have a high IQ but the author never developed her intelligence.

On writing brilliant characters…

As usual, reviews of Audible books are broken into two categories…the writing, and the narration. First the narration. Excellent. In my opinion, the best narrators are the ones that are so seamless that you don’t even notice them and can immerse yourself in the book, and Paul Michael is like that.

Now the book: Dan Brown makes, in my opinion, two large mistakes in this book (large enough where they break through the suspension of disbelief). First he writes a “brilliant” person, and then makes her the dumbest person in the room. She continually has to have things explained to her, often in a painstakingly step-by-step manner. I’m talking about things so simple and obvious that even this reader has figured them out.

The second big mistake is that if the government made some crypto device so wonderful as to be able to break any codes, the very first thing they would do is build another one….no matter how much it costs (oh, and he keeps referring to the 2 Billion dollar price take like it is some huge price tag).

That all being said, I think this book warrants at least a couple of stars. The romance portion of the book was well done. One extra star for the excellent narration.

Very Thought Provoking

Really enjoyed the book. A little more conspiracy theory in this one. Gets you wondering what our government might be up to.

Great

Well read, great story, tough to turn off. There was so much buzz about the da Vinci code, that this book was hidden. I'm just glad I found it

Riviting and Exciting

Would you consider the audio edition of Digital Fortress to be better than the print version?

I don't know?

What was one of the most memorable moments of Digital Fortress?

When the lights went out.

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

Spellbinding at times.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was enthralled.

Any additional comments?

Great book. Great listening experience.

#GreatAuthor

I love this author and this is a thrilling book. It kept my interest throughout and I can't wait to read another one of his books.

Enjoyed the storyline and suspense

OK - A lot of it is not factual. I work in the information technology field, but, hey, it is fiction. It doesn't have to be. I loved the storyline. It has the typical plot twist that are common in Dan Brown's books. I have no regrets about getting this book.

I would recommend this book to most people - especially those who enjoyed other books by Dan Brown. It's not as good as the Da Vinci Code, which is why I gave it 4 stars, but really, it's still one of my favorite books in my Audible library.

an old friend

I 1st learned of Dan Brown when he wrote da Vinci code after I read that I ravaged through anything he had written and this was another one that I couldn't put down if you haven't read this I suggest you try it it's a great week along with some of his other older work like deception point

Slightly Disappointed

What made the experience of listening to Digital Fortress the most enjoyable?

This is a good story. The plot is moderately complex.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Susan is my favorite character due to her innocence and purity of heart.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator was great and convincing. He was believable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Protecting America in a digital age.

Any additional comments?

I was slightly disappointed. There were gaps here and there. I wish the chapters in the download coincided with those announced by the narrator.

Typical Dan Brown suspense

Dan Brown kept you reading until the very end to learn "where did we come from and where are we going"!