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sewerhill's review
5.0
Probably one of the most entertaining pieces of nonfiction I've ever read, while also being very informative about a niche topic.
kpumuk's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, my rating of 4 stars means 3.5. I've got what I came here for – the history, culture, motivations behind Anonymous. If you, like me, crossed paths with (been DDoSed or hacked, read an article or a public statement), but never grasped what lies behind it, this book is a great source of understanding.
The bad part is the style of the book. It is not a book about Anonymous and their culture, instead, it is a book about the journey of the author into the world of notorious hackers and prankers, mixed with her feelings, fears, and self-promotion. There are philosophical and science-paper-like bits, over-complicated and to my view meaningless, but you get used to this narrative (or can skip these chunks completely).
Overall a good read.
The bad part is the style of the book. It is not a book about Anonymous and their culture, instead, it is a book about the journey of the author into the world of notorious hackers and prankers, mixed with her feelings, fears, and self-promotion. There are philosophical and science-paper-like bits, over-complicated and to my view meaningless, but you get used to this narrative (or can skip these chunks completely).
Overall a good read.
aziz_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I became acquainted with the world of conspiracies and injustices much like any other woman does: my husband. When we met, the man talked nonstop about the government and the illuminati. "What if...", "I bet...", "Orwell was right..." and other like lines peppered our conversations. In an effort to understand part of his world, I picked up this book for early review.
My first impression of Anonymous, following the Steubenville Rape Case, was simple: these are people who are just as angry about the world as I am, but with better computer skills.
After reading this book, I know it's a bit more complicated than that. Reading this, it was almost hard to remember that it was nonfiction. It felt more like something out of Agents of Shield--when the main character manages to finally get into the infamous organization and finds the secrets the media lets out are only the tip of the iceburg. There is so much information, in fact, that I struggle to grasp a general summary to review.
The best I can do: It's not what you think. Whatever you think--it's not. Read this book. Or, wait for the movie (as I'm sure there will be one.) In fact, I'd like to advocate for a movie. It would make millions. Even if you're not all that in to conspiracies or government drama or trolling, you will be captivated by this book. At least, you will be if you're interested in people or the internet. If you're not, then I'm not entirely sure we can be friends because people fascinate me.
The one thing I kept thinking was "Man, Coleman is living the reporter's dream." I don't mean journalism majors who want to be on The View or newsanchors who report on small news. I mean the journalists who go into the field, go undercover, and risk everything to uncover truth about the human race, or parts of it. The ones who bring Ms. Frizzle pride by living out her mantra "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!"
I'm getting off topic. I didn't give myself the normal cooldown time I do when I read a book. My mind is still racing with everything I read. I'm excited about this book and I love that feeling. Buy this book! There's no way you'll regret it. (Dear publishers, make a movie. Please.)
My first impression of Anonymous, following the Steubenville Rape Case, was simple: these are people who are just as angry about the world as I am, but with better computer skills.
After reading this book, I know it's a bit more complicated than that. Reading this, it was almost hard to remember that it was nonfiction. It felt more like something out of Agents of Shield--when the main character manages to finally get into the infamous organization and finds the secrets the media lets out are only the tip of the iceburg. There is so much information, in fact, that I struggle to grasp a general summary to review.
The best I can do: It's not what you think. Whatever you think--it's not. Read this book. Or, wait for the movie (as I'm sure there will be one.) In fact, I'd like to advocate for a movie. It would make millions. Even if you're not all that in to conspiracies or government drama or trolling, you will be captivated by this book. At least, you will be if you're interested in people or the internet. If you're not, then I'm not entirely sure we can be friends because people fascinate me.
The one thing I kept thinking was "Man, Coleman is living the reporter's dream." I don't mean journalism majors who want to be on The View or newsanchors who report on small news. I mean the journalists who go into the field, go undercover, and risk everything to uncover truth about the human race, or parts of it. The ones who bring Ms. Frizzle pride by living out her mantra "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!"
I'm getting off topic. I didn't give myself the normal cooldown time I do when I read a book. My mind is still racing with everything I read. I'm excited about this book and I love that feeling. Buy this book! There's no way you'll regret it. (Dear publishers, make a movie. Please.)
zluke's review against another edition
5.0
Very accessible read with a good narrative tying it together.
joreads7's review against another edition
2.0
This book was so frustrating because at its center is a really interesting story about Anonymous. The sections that laid out the history of the movement, and just spoke to the development and how it worked, were quite good, but they was surrounded by a lot of junk.
Coleman's anthropological frame does not fit neatly over this material, her long digressions on Loki, Nietzsche, gods of Chaos, the crossroads, Dionysus and Apollo, added nothing to the story. Here is a sample of some of the framing she uses:
"It is rare for something actually resembling the trickster myth to come into being in the midst of our contemporary reality, much less with such panache and public presence. These hackers, in their sacrifice (and the sacrifice of others) serve to remind many of the necessity, pleasure and danger of subversion."
This is both vague and hyperbolic, and the inclusion of the trickster myth adds nothing to the narrative she is building.
Her own personal experiences could have been interesting if better handled, how she got access to Anonymous etc. but as it was distracted from the main narrative. She was too eager to explain how she was also fooled by Sabu, who was acting as an FBI informant for much of the story. Here is an example of her inserting herself reacting to some shocking news: "I thought to myself, holy sweet birth of the baby Jesus, this is really happening!"
By her own admission Coleman needed to publish another book for academic reasons, and the result is poorly thrown together, wildly divergent in tone, not well edited for content, and does a poor job of sharing the wealth of knowledge she has with an audience.
Coleman's anthropological frame does not fit neatly over this material, her long digressions on Loki, Nietzsche, gods of Chaos, the crossroads, Dionysus and Apollo, added nothing to the story. Here is a sample of some of the framing she uses:
"It is rare for something actually resembling the trickster myth to come into being in the midst of our contemporary reality, much less with such panache and public presence. These hackers, in their sacrifice (and the sacrifice of others) serve to remind many of the necessity, pleasure and danger of subversion."
This is both vague and hyperbolic, and the inclusion of the trickster myth adds nothing to the narrative she is building.
Her own personal experiences could have been interesting if better handled, how she got access to Anonymous etc. but as it was distracted from the main narrative. She was too eager to explain how she was also fooled by Sabu, who was acting as an FBI informant for much of the story. Here is an example of her inserting herself reacting to some shocking news: "I thought to myself, holy sweet birth of the baby Jesus, this is really happening!"
By her own admission Coleman needed to publish another book for academic reasons, and the result is poorly thrown together, wildly divergent in tone, not well edited for content, and does a poor job of sharing the wealth of knowledge she has with an audience.
zararah's review against another edition
5.0
This was great - brought up lots of things to think about, which I'll write about on my blog!
atsundarsingh's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Coleman takes a typically anthropological step in becoming fully entangled with her subject. Incredibly sympathetic, she nonetheless manages to highlight that Anonymous is not morally above reproach in all cases, merely that we ought to consider the actions of the multifaceted collective with more nuance given its loose and at time freewheeling collective nature. An interesting a compelling narrative on a topic we don't read enough about considering the importance of internet activism writ large.
strikingthirteen's review
4.0
We've learned to expect them whenever the internet is threatened, whenever our rights are threatened, whenever the powers that be need to be reminded that they are not immune to criticism and mockery. Think what you will about Anonymous, they're out there and they are everyone and no one.
But really they started out on 4chan in the /b/ forums, which has some of the most awesome and the most terrible stuff on the internet. Fitting that Anonymous can be both here.
What this book takes on is the origins and and Gabriella Coleman spends long hours, openly telling the Anons she meets that she's doing research, in chatrooms and watching how Ops start and finish and how consensus, if such a thing is possible, is reached. What follows is a study of tricksters (which perhaps could have been shorter), and an almost play by play running history of the author's experiences with Anonymous as the big hacks happen and splinter groups like LulzSec and AntiSec appear and disappear over what seems like no time at all as big Ops go down and members appear and disappear. There are lots, and lots of chat logs and some of those could have been shortened a bit. Otherwise I really enjoyed reading this. I loved especially reading a book in what I felt like was my language while at the same time filling people in who may not understand acronyms and internet terms and shorthand. I blasted through it and really, really enjoyed it.
But really they started out on 4chan in the /b/ forums, which has some of the most awesome and the most terrible stuff on the internet. Fitting that Anonymous can be both here.
What this book takes on is the origins and and Gabriella Coleman spends long hours, openly telling the Anons she meets that she's doing research, in chatrooms and watching how Ops start and finish and how consensus, if such a thing is possible, is reached. What follows is a study of tricksters (which perhaps could have been shorter), and an almost play by play running history of the author's experiences with Anonymous as the big hacks happen and splinter groups like LulzSec and AntiSec appear and disappear over what seems like no time at all as big Ops go down and members appear and disappear. There are lots, and lots of chat logs and some of those could have been shortened a bit. Otherwise I really enjoyed reading this. I loved especially reading a book in what I felt like was my language while at the same time filling people in who may not understand acronyms and internet terms and shorthand. I blasted through it and really, really enjoyed it.
melle's review
3.0
Timeline was weird and inconsistent, as was the focus at times. Also frequently dried out actions and info that could have been really interesting or important. I imagine there's a great deal she's seen/heard/read/knows (or has avoided learning) that would improve the flow and "grab", but them's the breaks with such an entity, one imagines.