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  • The Hacker and the State

  • Cyber Attacks and the New Normal of Geopolitics
  • By: Ben Buchanan
  • Narrated by: Christopher Grove
  • Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (35 ratings)

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The Hacker and the State

By: Ben Buchanan
Narrated by: Christopher Grove
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Publisher's Summary

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

What listeners say about The Hacker and the State

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Great read/listen

A very extensive and broad analysis of the last 2 decades of cyberwar, divided into chapters describing critical features and similarities.
I really enjoyed the connections to international events.
Would be great if the book came with a PDF summarising the timeline!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

struggled with the narration

I work in infosec and know and am interested in the topic but found the narration monotone and sounded more like AI than a story teller. I listened at 1.25 to get through it.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A great overview of the state-based hacking scene

If you want an overview of the state-based hacking scene, whether it be run by North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, or the USA, then this book is for you.

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