The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man Paperback – February 7, 2014

I read this book on my Kindle, and it was some of the best money I've ever spent on Amazon. The story is quite simply amazing, and the telling of it by Luke Harding, one of the journalists tasked with going through all the stolen NSA documents, is even-handed, and does not seek to convince the reader of anything...only to present the facts, and tell the story. I had already seen the Frontline/ProPublica documentary on these programs, and felt I knew the entire story....but after reading this book, I realize how little I did know. It forced me to reconsider my relationship with Facebook, Gmail, Google, Twitter, and all the other social networking sites who sell all the information I provide them to marketers, as well as the NSA. An amazing story of the greatest breach of US intelligence ever perpetrated was carried out by an idealistic, comically young man who witnessed what he felt was a clear violation of the Constitution, and felt compelled to speak out.I especially appreciated that the author did not try to 'convince me' that this man was 'good', 'bad', or 'misguided'....he had no agenda other than to tell the story, and quote the sources involved. Each reader can make up their own mind.The only slight criticism I could offer is that, as an American, I felt the story telling focused on the British side of the breach, rather than the American side. As an American, I was less-interested in the minutia surrounding the British stories, and would have been satisfied with broader strokes there. I would have liked that minutia on the American side, but did not get quite enough. As the author is British, and the book published in both the UK and the US, it is unsurprising that this should occur, and is such a minor criticism as to barely be worth the trouble to write it.Overall, an excellent read, made all the more amazing by the fact that it actually happened. Would recommend highly to anyone wanting to know more about the entire affair.If you found this review helpful, please indicate so. Thanks!

I think, overall, this was not a badly written book by any means.It kind of feels like something written from the point of view of the Guardian and their involvement with Snowden and the now legendary encounter between him and their newspaper agency. There isn't much left out to Snowden's story, I felt, in this book either. You get a whole picture of who Snowden is, what he did, why he did it, and a glimpse into his possible future which at this moment I write the review, feels very uncertain. In other words, this is by no means going to be an outdated book in a few years, but rather something that I feel is very relevant to the times we live in. Snowden did what he thought was right, and the debate still rages on as to whether or not what he did amounts to treason and illegal possession of government property, or something that illuminated just much of a reach the government of the United States has into our personal lives via their domination of the digital universe that we all live in. This book explores both sides of the argument, and also showcases a lot of the responses from the key people involved with Snowden's story, from beginning to end.I think my only gripe with this book, and it's a small one, is that I felt at times the book tended to get bogged down with a lot of discussion about The Guardian and their internal struggles that resulted from Snowden seeking to involve them in breaking his story to the world. It just felt a little too extraneous at times, as though 30 pages could've been cut out of this book to make it a much faster-paced read. If you like details though, then you'll have no problem with this book, and I suppose with all the stuff written about The Guardian.All in all, this is an exceptional read. I recommend it to anyone who is curious to know Snowden's story.

Page turner and eye-opener!! The book is well written, well researched and sadly quite believable. It will (hopefully) light a fire under you.Edward Snowden risked his life and gave up a very comfortable life for the sake of his country. I couldn't admire him more.According to The Snowden Files, our own gov't has eviscerated our constitiution's fourth ammendment. You know - the right to be free of unreasonable search and seizure? Only one of the reasons we left England in the first place... You know - TO BE A FREE COUNTRY?? Well think again. The NSA is big brother and this is 1984. They will no doubt be scanning this review. And not like it. And, just what will be next, in the name of so-called security? Losing the right to free speech?Many people are so afraid of terrorists (a fear sadly over-instilled in us by the media and the gov't for their own selfish gains), that they would give up all their rights to privacy. I've heard people say, "Well, if you're not doing anything wrong, who cares if they spy on us, if it will keep up safe?" First, the actions of the squeakiest-clean of people can be EASILY misconstrued. And then you are accused of god knows what, have your life ruined, are carted off to jail or god forbid get rendition. Don't think it doesn't happen.Second, I'm sorry but if you're human, you would not want your private communications displayed for the world to see in the name of a False sense of security. As of this book's writing, what did the gov't get for the MASSIVE spying it did on its own citizens and its allies around the world? Not one shred of information leading to a credible plot on this soil. Still think it's worth giving up your privacy? Of course let's not forget the petty actions of various NSA members and others who read the emails and communications of their spouses and boy/girlfriends. Lovely.Read the book. Then read others on the subject and make up your mind how you want to live.This is the greatest country in the world. It was built on the ideals of FREEDOM. Don't let runaway fear make up your mind for you.Half the people in Congress are there for ego, money and power. They have completely ignored the fact that gov't work is a SERVICE JOB. They are supposed to represent the will of the people. We The People!

Really awesome.. gripping read. You won’t regret buying this. Excitement is well preserved throughout the book. Well done. Nice read.

The real history on the internet. Snowden is an hero. He does not deserve to go to the prison. Let him free.

Okay, these days Snowden is old news. Here's my take: the more I learn about this guy the less I agree with US friends who dump on him: largely, I think, because they are primarily exposed to mainstream US broadcasting and because they don't actually listen to HIM. I think the jury is still out on the overall effect of what Snowden decided to do, yes. But at least Luke Harding brought Snowden's thoughts and motivations to the attention of the world.

Technology is moving faster than we can understand it, much least control it. Who makes decisions that impact billions of people? Is it the people or is it a monolithic institution motivated by economical and political issues? As any excellent, compelling and important literary work should, Harding's book leaves us with more questions than it answers. This is just the beginning of a movement that we'll all have to participate in unless we don't mind losing our basic human freedoms.

I was impressed in many ways, this book shows the courage of Snowden and the few people who stand by him - and the incredible, outrageous way in which the US and British Governments lie, spy and treat citizens as if they had no rights to privacy at all! An eye opener!