The Hacker and the State

Cyber Attacks and the New Normal of Geopolitics

By: Ben Buchanan

Narrated by: Christopher Grove

Packed with insider information based on interviews, declassified files, and forensic analysis of company reports, The Hacker and the State sets aside fantasies of cyber-annihilation to explore the real geopolitical competition of the digital age. Tracing the conflict of wills and interests among modern nations, Ben Buchanan reveals little-known details of how China, Russia, North Korea, Britain, and the United States hack one another in a relentless struggle for dominance. His analysis moves deftly from underseas cable taps to underground nuclear sabotage, from blackouts and data breaches to billion-dollar heists and election interference.

Buchanan brings to life this continuous cycle of espionage and deception, attack and counterattack, destabilization and retaliation. He explains why cyber attacks are far less destructive than we anticipated, far more pervasive, and much harder to prevent. With little fanfare and far less scrutiny, they impact our banks, our tech and health systems, our democracy, and every aspect of our lives. Quietly, insidiously, they have reshaped our national-security priorities and transformed spycraft and statecraft.

The contest for geopolitical advantage has moved into cyberspace. The United States and its allies can no longer dominate the way they once did. The nation that hacks best will triumph.

©2020 Ben Buchanan (P)2020 Tantor

It’s good if you’re not aware of the last ~10 years of cyber events

… otherwise it’s quite boring to go through the recount yet again. In general, a good listen anyway.

Good overall

Good book overall! Could have done without Chapter 10's defense of Hillary Clinton. But other than that I liked the book.

excellent coverage of hacking over the years

it is great to see the forest where as normally I see the trees.

Started strong, ended weak

The book started strong with a good recap of major historical events and techniques. Unfortunately, the latter parts became clearly left leaning, masking opinion as fact.

A good overview of hacking influence on government

I definitely recommend this to anyone who is in politics that just doesn't get how hacking can influence government actions. This book covered many of the major hacking/malware events from 2012 to 2018. While technology is ever expanding, this book is an outstanding overview of government actions which have been assisted and thwarted by stealing information, and manipulating situations.