Free Snowden Ebooks To Download
As many as 1.4 million citizens with security clearance saw some or all of the same documents revealed by Edward Snowden. Why did he, and no one else, decide to step forward and take on the risks associated with becoming a whistleblower and then a fugitive? Rall delves into Snowden's early life and work experience, his personality, and the larger issues of privacy, new surveillance technologies, and the recent history of government intrusion. Rall describes Snowden's political vision and hopes for the future. In a way, the book tells two stories: Snowden's and a larger one that describes all of us on the threshold of tremendous technological upheaval and political change.Snowden is a portrait of a brave young man standing up to the most powerful government in the world and, if not winning, at least reaching a stand-off, and in this way is an incitation to us all to measure our courage and listen to our consciences in asking ourselves what we might have done in his shoes.
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Seven Stories Press (August 25, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609806352
ISBN-13: 978-1609806354
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 7 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #66,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #58 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Social Activists #75 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Biographies & History Graphic Novels #83 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > True Crime > Espionage
At New York’s BookExpo at the end of May, I was happy to obtain a pre-publication copy of “Snowden” from Ted Rall who autographed the book for me. This is not the first book about Edward Snowden, a computer network systems administrator who released information to the press about US government collection of the telecommunications of US citizens. As a graphic history, it makes the story more accessible to readers.“Snowden” is a relatively compact book with some two hundred pages of drawings with one or two frames on each page. In addition to the drawings, there are photographs and a few copies of documents. The book has the appearance of a series of political cartoons.The reading flows smoothly.If you were looking for a book, which evenly weighs the merits of Snowden’s actions, this is not it. The story starts by citing Orwell’s 1984 and continues with the history of government invasions of citizen privacy. For example, it illustrates US officials lying to Congress about the information that they are collecting.The book features Snowden’s life story. He was a Boy Scout! Why did he take the information to the press and then flee the country? Rall supports the contention that Snowden was forced to act by his conscience when he saw government agencies violating the US Constitution. The final part of the book describes Snowden’s flight to Hong Kong and then to Russia, where he lives today.Arguments have been made that the US government needs to collect data on telecommunications in order to thwart terrorists. The counterargument, supported by Rall, is that the constitutional rights of Americans are more important than any data gained, that our democracy is being undermined by illegal surveillance.The revelations of Edward Snowden are still being made known. About a week ago, the New York Times revealed a government partnership with AT&T to secure Internet records of Americans. The story continues.
When it comes to Edward Snowden and spying by the American intelligence communities, controversial cartoonist/essayist Ted Rall does an amazing job of connecting the dots in his new graphic novel!Those who don't understand the technology (which might be the majority of us) behind the spying will have more knowledge after reading this book. He makes it easier for us "dummies" to comprehend.Through his unique cartoon style, well-written text, and excellent sense of humour, Rall makes this sometimes drab topic "fun." As such, this book should be mandatory reading in every single solitary public school in the nation so kids can get a real education on the topic!Like millions of others on the planet, I have followed the Snowden and WikiLeaks stories since they broke, have read long articles and watched documentaries regarding same. However, thus far, it is Ted Rall who puts the icing on the cake regarding this complex topic.No holds are barred when Rall writes honestly about the likes of President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Senator Dianne Feinstein and other politicians.For the visually impaired (like me), the Kindle version works out great because it is easy to zoom in on some of the smaller graphics and documents presented in the book.Kudos to Ted Rall for creating this book that even someone like me with only a high school education can understand!
Ted Rall did the world a great service in putting together and getting it published. I, like millions of others can read fast for understanding. In other words I don't need a comic book to take a point. But there are many out there who take in information better from such a book as Rall has written. It should garner a greater readership than a standard volume w/o pictures. The book is easy but frightening reading. The pictures with brief text are instantly understandable.Even though I have followed the Snowden story closely via print media, Rall's book gave me additional information about the circumstances of Snowden's life and about certain of the details of the Gov't's. spying. There is no index but details are easily found anyway. I intend to buy several more copies of and distribute them to persons I want to be sure have the opportunity to read it.Even if shows the subject in a better light than exists, (and I have no reason to believe that the author has done this), there is still plenty revealed here to be of value to a wide range of readers. Also, is backed up by 20 pgs. of notes. I recommend Rall's book, .
A great read--most informative and reaching out to a wider audience than more detailed, longer books than they may have time to read for any number of reasons. I admit to being a liberal, knowing some of Rall's contacts who are highly credible, and therefore trusting the reins of truth to Rall. What's left is to thank him and wish him luck in his present battle for his First Amendment rights with a newspaper that usually honors them for all of us. I wonder if this book was antagonistic in a direction destructive to him in the L.A. context. Good luck in this deeply significant battle, Mr. Rall, and don't ever stop spreading truths we all need to know.
The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State Bravehearts: Whistle-Blowing in the Age of Snowden Snowden Dark Mirror: Edward Snowden and the American Surveillance State
