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A review by zare_i
The God's Eye View by Barry Eisler
4.0
Very interesting book on multiple fronts.
First, the story - it can be summed up in a simple quote "qui custodiet ipsos custodes". What if all the might and data-access of the state cyber security mechanisms are given to zealous few who think they are the righteous ones, ones that are the only capable to see and disseminate huge amount of data, point to nation's enemies and basically control the entire state and everyone within it. Nobody else, just them. This is basically story of a power-corrupts sort told by presenting the acting intelligence chief's fall into abyss of absolutism.
Second, the characters - as always Eisler's action men are people with whole lot of mental baggage. Here we see the Manus, deaf assassin having his entire world crushed when he finds out that his actions weren't always for a good cause, quite the opposite. To some this can sound weird but theme of a warrior losing his ground because his beliefs and faith have proven to be in conflict with his superiors is something that is present in literature for a long, long time.
Third, story again - and this brings us to the point of maltreatment of true devotees who work on their posts with all vigor and zeal of people serving the true cause. And then they come across a deviation, and of course they report it only to be smitten down by the very authority they serve - only because they have questioned that very same authority. If one is so easy to discard the very people that truly believe in the cause how can one expect anybody to be loyal?
I like the comments how far-fetched the story is. I will just say that almost all of the technological advancements first finds purpose in security services and then (years, years after) these same things enters the mass production. So claiming some things do not exists because you never heard of it (or anyone around you, including "experts") is very silly indeed.
And one of the points at the end is very very good - new acting intelligence chief says to our protagonists that no matter what happened service is state service and they are much much better alternative to corporate services. And I have to agree, because in private hands dangers multiply to crazy level because private enterprises will not be responsible to anyone.
Recommended to thriller fans.
First, the story - it can be summed up in a simple quote "qui custodiet ipsos custodes". What if all the might and data-access of the state cyber security mechanisms are given to zealous few who think they are the righteous ones, ones that are the only capable to see and disseminate huge amount of data, point to nation's enemies and basically control the entire state and everyone within it. Nobody else, just them. This is basically story of a power-corrupts sort told by presenting the acting intelligence chief's fall into abyss of absolutism.
Second, the characters - as always Eisler's action men are people with whole lot of mental baggage. Here we see the Manus, deaf assassin having his entire world crushed when he finds out that his actions weren't always for a good cause, quite the opposite. To some this can sound weird but theme of a warrior losing his ground because his beliefs and faith have proven to be in conflict with his superiors is something that is present in literature for a long, long time.
Third, story again - and this brings us to the point of maltreatment of true devotees who work on their posts with all vigor and zeal of people serving the true cause. And then they come across a deviation, and of course they report it only to be smitten down by the very authority they serve - only because they have questioned that very same authority. If one is so easy to discard the very people that truly believe in the cause how can one expect anybody to be loyal?
I like the comments how far-fetched the story is. I will just say that almost all of the technological advancements first finds purpose in security services and then (years, years after) these same things enters the mass production. So claiming some things do not exists because you never heard of it (or anyone around you, including "experts") is very silly indeed.
And one of the points at the end is very very good - new acting intelligence chief says to our protagonists that no matter what happened service is state service and they are much much better alternative to corporate services. And I have to agree, because in private hands dangers multiply to crazy level because private enterprises will not be responsible to anyone.
Recommended to thriller fans.