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

This book kept me on the edge of my seat

The story was very current and so interesting I could not wait to get in the car on my morning commute to find out what would happen next. The narrator Paul Michael is one of my favorites (up there with Jim Dale). His narration was excellent, the accents are perfect and none of his voices are cartoonish (like a lot of other narrators). A wonderful listen!

OK, but not his best work

Would you listen to Digital Fortress again? Why?

I would consider listening to Digital Fortress again. Its story line and plot were very similar to Deception Point.

If you’ve listened to books by Dan Brown before, how does this one compare?

I listened to all unabridged versions of his books and this was my least favorite. Not to say it isn't a good book, it just isn't as good as the others.

Have you listened to any of Paul Michael’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narrator is good and easy to listen too.

3 Steps ahead

Would you try another book from Dan Brown and/or Paul Michael?

Not any more. I loved The Lost Symbol, but that is the only one of 4 books of his that I have really liked.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Cut out all the redundancies. Dan Brown is a master of stating the obvious. He repeats the same thing over and over and I always figure out his puzzles or mysteries or bad guys at least 3 pages before he discloses them. That is irritating. His plots and symbols can be very interesting which is why I kept reading them, but now I'm seeing the pattern. He's just not a good moment to moment writer. Except for The Lost Symbol. That is by far his best, I think.

Which character – as performed by Paul Michael – was your favorite?

Susan and David.

Could you see Digital Fortress being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It would probably be better as a movie or tv show, because the writing's not that good. Maybe Pierce Brosnan as Strathmore and Charlese Theron as Susan.

Any additional comments?

The plots in his novels are always better than the writing.

Suspension of IT knowledge may be required

Dan Brown missed some factors that make the story a little difficult to translate into the real world. But if you don't grade him too harshly on IT verisimilitude, the story itself is enjoyable. I enjoyed listening.

Riveting adventure

Couldn’t stop listening, engrossing from the beginning to the end with twists that keep you on edge. Dan Brown has done it again! Intrigue and suspense.

Breathless

This story starts slowly, building to a suspenseful, caught in your throat weight lifting ending, I couldn’t stop listening.

Realizing Dan Brown rewrites his old books...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really... same old story, no surprises.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable.

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

Well read.

Could you see Digital Fortress being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Sure.

Any additional comments?

Not a bad book just incredibly predictable and if you've read any of Dan Browns other novels (excluding the dating book he wrote under a female pen name - look it up if you don't believe me) you've pretty much already read this one.

Digital Fortress

It's a damn good book. Dan Brown has a wonderful and unique writing style. He keeps you clung to the story until you reach the end.

ending music was wrecked.

what was up w the crazy music over the last few lines? it didn't add to the reading but completely distracted.

Digital Fortress

If you like tech stuff this is the book for you! It is a good Dan Brown story.