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

Not a favorite

I, like many other reviewers, enjoyed DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. This book, though, fell short. As another reviewer pointed out, the female protagonist is some male fantasy characature. The ending is predictable to the point that the listener figures it out before the characters.

I did like the original premise, but it could have been handled much better.

Best narrator yet! Caught myself holding my breath in anticipation & suspense

Not the most gripping Dan Brown story I’ve read, but the narration by Paul Michael is by far the best narration I’ve listened to for an audiobook. He seamlessly moved between characters voices and accents as well as maintained their unique affects.
I found myself wrapt and immersed in the story, forgetting where I was and what I was doing. Such a wonderful escape.
Highly recommend this audiobook for the narration.

I loved this book

This book was a very edgy book, I completely enjoyed it. It's a recommend read, it's very thought provoking.

Perfect every time I listen!!!!!!!

I keep finding new things with each time I listen! !!! !! !! !!!! !!!!

It's Not Bad

Little too pricey for the amount of times I was bored. Interesting read tho. Maybe a low 4 for my rating. This author can do better. I guess I expected more.

Exciting story

This book was very exciting with lots of action and adventure. The performance was very good as well.

Another Fun book from Dan Brown

I have been listening to Dan Brown since the DaVinci Code and I have enjoyed all the books. this one does not disappoint. Some people may not like the way that he keeps jumping back between different characters in the book but I think it keeps it fresh and engaging.

This book isn't perfect, but it's not that bad...

This book isn't nearly as bad as some reviewers might lead you to believe, but it clearly isn't as polished as his later work. What really hurts this book is the recording itself. I don't know if Audible is to blame or if this is the way the publisher recorded the title, but the audio is very poorly recorded. At the beginning, the recording is too slow. I keept looking at my iPod to see if I accidentally put the book on slow speed. In other parts it is too loud, so the audio distorts regardless of your listening level. If you are interested in the book, I suggest you go get a physical copy or e-book and read it, don't bother with the audiobook version.

Dan Brown's First Novel and It Shows

What did you like best about Digital Fortress? What did you like least?

Chances are that you are looking at this book because you like Dan Brown's other novels. I was like you. I had read everything of Brown's and loved most of it. But don't have too high expectations here. This was Brown's first novel and it shows. The story is somewhat haphazard and drawn out. It is not nearly as deep as what you’ll find in his other novels.

One problem, of course, is that this novel was written in 1998 and it is now 2014—that’s 16 years of technological advances, which means the content is really no longer valid. That being said, Brown’s understanding of the subject matter is lacking. One of his strengths is his in-depth research and this novel doesn’t show that same level.

One interesting thing about this book is that it seems quite apparent to me that David Becker, one of the main characters, is very much the starting point for Robert Langdon, the main character in Brown’s most popular novels.

So much technobabble

You have to make allowances for the fact that this book was written in the late 90s. But, the story uses made-up technology terminology and computer security procedures as plot devices. It’s difficult to listen to if you know anything about computer programming and security.

Otherwise, it’s decently well written. But ai wouldn’t recommend it.