The Cuckoo's Egg

Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage

By: Cliff Stoll

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

Before the internet became widely known as a global tool for terrorists, one perceptive US citizen recognized its ominous potential. Armed with clear evidence of computer espionage, he began a highly personal quest to expose a hidden network of spies that threatened national security. But would the authorities back him up? Cliff Stoll's dramatic firsthand account is "a computer-age detective story, instantly fascinating [and] astonishingly gripping" - Smithsonian.

Cliff Stoll was an astronomer turned systems manager at Lawrence Berkeley Lab when a 75 cent accounting error alerted him to the presence of an unauthorized user on his system. The hacker's code name was "Hunter" - a mysterious invader who managed to break into US computer systems and steal sensitive military and security information. Stoll began a one-man hunt of his own: spying on the spy. It was a dangerous game of deception, broken codes, satellites, and missile bases - a one-man sting operation that finally gained the attention of the CIA...and ultimately trapped an international spy ring fueled by cash, cocaine, and the KGB.

©1989 Clifford Stoll (P)2020 Tantor

My favorite non-fiction book!

Love this book! Gripping story about the glory days of computing, and cold war spies. I have a physical copy of it which is warn to shreds. Very glad to have the audio version now.

A story that stands the test of time

This book was written 30 years ago, but doesn't come across as dated or otherwise irrelevant. While the technology has changed, the story is still impactful today. My only criticism of the book was that it was sprinkled with a bit of TMI with regard to the author's personal life and politics that didn't really need to be in the book.

The narration was terrific, with one annoying exception. The narrator tried to use a British accent for the UK based person but it was horribly inconsistent and even seemed to become a German accent when the British person was talking ABOUT Germany. Weird.

Overall, a great listen.

Hacking History Lesson

The Cuckoo's Egg has long been acknowledged as mandatory reading for anyone interested in cybersecurity, especially those on the technical side of the field. It is shocking how relevant this book is still today, 30+ years after the event. Spoiler alert - the core weaknesses in computer security that were discussed and/or exposed in 1986/87 and documented in this book largely still exist.

Having read the book and enjoyed it so much, I was excited to see it released as an audiobook. The audiobook version is better than I had hoped. Even though I know what is about to happen, I find myself riveted and planning my time to listen to the next chapter. If you are familiar with Unix and have been involved in IT and computer security for a while, especially if you have ever worked in the US government, you will find yourself involuntary nodding and remembering that time when something similar happened to you.

A Fascinating (Niche) Story

This book is a fascinating story if you're interested in computer security. The narration is very well done and I think conveys the book well. I really enjoyed the writing and all the anecdotes from Stoll's life as well. I doubt the book would be much interest to the layman however. It is very technical. A huge plus for me, but fair warning to others.

Cannot put this thing down!

So glad this finally came out in audiobook format. It is one of the best books written on computer hacking out there.

A classic!

Thank you Will Damron for narrating this classic book on computer security. I was alive during this era of the mid-1980s, and I can clearly track the story of how vulnerable our computers were to this kind of interference. Great story, well told.

Very Interesting

This story was really well documented which provides a very well written book with a lot of details.
Coming myself from a background in astronomy and infosec this book checked all the boxes for me.

Highly recommended!

An older book but still worth a read.

An older book, but still worth the read. Gives great insight on how vulnerable networks can become if not properly protected.

fantastic story

Love the book, especially the second time through listening to the audio version. Definitely recommended if you work in IT.

A story 35 years old but...

A story 35 years old, but events just like it take place even today! Very interesting story on the early days of cyber security. A simpler time. I am glad Cliff got this book made in an audio book format.

Great story but iffy presentation at times.

Firstly I really enjoyed this account. The fact that it happened decades ago in no way minimises its impact. It is let down a bit by the author's somewhat confusing stance on his own political leanings. He is basically a left-wing student type having difficulties with his ongoing discoveries that most FBI, NSA and CIA personnel with whom he deals are basically decent people with no personal axes to grind. Another annoying feature is that the narrator adopts a dreadful cod-Russian accent to reflect the childish "Russian" personae (Boris and Natasha) adopted by the writer and his girlfriend. Along with the writer's clear wish to be seen as an innocent abroad in a big bad world, it is irritating. These things apart, I found it a very good listen.

Excellent book, never gets old

Although the technology has advanced quite a lot, and the techniques explained in the book are mostly of historical interest only, the book keeps giving a very entertaining story, and with an excellent narrator

Fascinating, scary, frustrating

Not a lot has changed since the book was written. The three letter agencies still don't disclose bugs they find useful, and systems are not secure by design.

If you enjoyed Andy Weir's novels, then you will enjoy this non fiction story even more.

If you take a drink every time the word "bailiwick" is mentioned, make sure you have plenty of drink available, because it's going to be a wild party.

Interesting and a trip down memory lane

This takes place in the late 80's, and is of historical value.
I was involved in mainframe IT during and after that period, so it brings back memories for me.
For anyone who's IT experience is only with PCs, or later than the 80's, I can't imagine it being interesting. This despite the story being told in an exciting way.
Sadly I have to agree with the authors conclusions, about how "hackers" spoilt both the IT world, and scientific and data sharing.

A gripping real life cat and mouse

Ever wondered what happens after a compsny is hacked ?
This is fascinating insight of how one company discovered that a msterious account on their network was been used as a backdoor and the battles with beacrazy and authorities to take action. The story is well told - you feel their excitement as things start to make sense, their frustration at dead ends and battles with authority to take their report seriously.

Definitely a tale of worth reading/listening too

As geeky as it gets - wonderful!

A wonderfully written a new narrated tale of early hacking. The interlaced love story of Cliff and Martha works great, the true life characters are easy to like and the chapters leave you wanting to hear the next.

Listening to it now in 2021 it’s hard to believe that the 3 letter agencies did little to assist. A different world!

Great storey

Very interesting to hear the details of how the hacker was detected and tracked. The story could have been edited down, for example the listing of arbitrary file names was completely unnecessary. The whole story could have been distilled down into 5 hrs or less.

Very well narrated.

Brilliant listen

Very interesting, well read and well performed. Despite being factual it gripped me like a novel. There is a warmth in the writing and the character of Cliff and that comes through the words. A fascinating topic and a book that has inspired me to read more about this field.

A digital spies story

The story it's captivating, entertaining and full of geek quotes, it all starts with 75 cents and ends over unexpected strawberry milkshakes! nice to get your head away from the routine

Totally Absorbing!

This story got me hooked from the very beginning. Well read and I found myself wanting to keep listening to find out who/what was the villian of the hacking.