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

Mediocre at best coming from a Dan Brown fan

The story was predictable and definitely not one of Dan Brown’s best. If this is your first Dan Brown book, please don’t judge him based off of this.

The characters were so stereotypical, way too much luck and coincidence, not like other stories where Dan Brown builds his characters to have depth. Just way too bland for me.

I am not a cryptography or computer genius by any means but apparently neither were the characters. If you want your regular old cookie cutter mystery with no surprises that can’t be figured out quickly, then read it. But please don’t judge Dan Brown off this book! He’s amazing!

book was good.. All the GD's and JC's lowerd bk

The book was interesting and gripping but I found GREAT OFFENSE at all of the cursing. It seemed overused and not needed for effect in the story. Mark Twain said that cursing was a spice best used sparingly. I can stand the F'ing
but taking the Lords name in vain was just horrible. Saying Jesus Christ name is beautiful and a priveledge not to be said with hate and disgust. GD.... well those two things really hurts me to hear.
I have bought several of Dan Brrowns books, audio books, and movies...so I feel I have a right to write my feeling on this solicited review.

Awight book. Amazing narrator

Overall a good story. Personally I dont like the school teacher action hero part.
Paul does a great job, feels so natural how he switches between the voices.

SANS Security Primer meets Angels and Demons

I have only read up to chapter 23 and so far am thrilled with what i have heard so far. This novel is both entertaining and educational!

Would be aspiring hackers can learn a lot of technics just by following the fast paced twists and turns of the drama.

Cant wait to get to the ending of the novel!

You will forget this story was written in 1998!

This book is quite timely considering Apple versus FBI.

What can I say....the tinfoil hat guys on on to something.

Wonderful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Of course I will recommend this book to my friends. I like Dan Brown's books, and this, like the other, is perfect.

Who was your favorite character and why?

is impossible to choose a character. Each is a piece in the puzzle that is the plot. Choose one to be the most important, it is to devalue the story.

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

Everthing. Paul Michael's voice is nice and adds to the ambiance of the story. Besides his voice is well-articulated and easy to understand the pronunciation.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Mostly for Dan Brown fans

If you've enjoyed the most recent Dan Brown novels (Inferno, The Davinci Code, Angels and Demons), you'll find this earlier title equally entertaining. The plot isn't mind-blowing, and half the twists are predictable, but the writing remains skillful. Most of all, the performance given by Paul Michael helps the audience listen on for more.

For Dan Brown fans only

This is a lot shorter than Brown's other books. Pretty good for geek fiction but Dan Suarez's books are better.

Ok

It was ok but would not make a movie on this. What there is a minimum word count for reviews?

Digital Fortress a reminder to protect our information.

I am fearful that most of us have digital information out of the fortress and potentially available to unscrupulous individuals. This story shows the damage that can happen with too much scrutiny by government. We need to protect ourselves with shields that keep our information private. Well written story.