The Blockchain Revolution

Tales of Adversego #5

by Andrew Updegrove

The world’s banks have adopted a new technology called blockchain. But is it safe? To be sure, they hire cybersecurity super-sleuth Frank Adversego. Soon, he’s faced with massive hacker attacks, a crisis between Russia and the US, and an unstable genius bent on overthrowing global governments to create a brave, new, anarchist world.
Andrew Updegrove brings a rare combination of drama, satire and technical accuracy to his writing. The result is a book you can't put down that tells you things you might wish you didn't know.

Admiral James G. Stavridis , retired Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and current Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

Andrew Updegrove's Frank Adversego thrillers are realistic page-turners, making it clear that if you're not worried about cybersecurity you're not paying attention.

Internationally renowned security technologist Bruce Schneier

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

314 pages, Paperback

Published February 22, 2019

About the author

My career as a fiction writer began when a line of interior dialogue occurred to me while walking my dog in the rain. That line turned into a character, and that character turned into the foundation for my first book. A second and a third followed (and then a fourth and a fifth, with the sixth on the way), based on the same character: an "everyman" cybersecurity specialist who is brilliant but socially challenged. Each book is a satirical thriller that highlights the risks of our continuing dependency on technology in general, and the Internet in particular. The exploits in the books have demonstrated a disturbing tendency to later actually happen in the real world.

When I'm not writing, I'm working with high tech clients, including those that create the standards and systems that make cybersecurity possible. When I'm not writing or predicting the next cyber-disaster, I'm likely to be roaming the back country of the American southwest in my Jeep, scouting out settings for his next book. I spend summers on an island off the coast of Maine and winters in southwest Florida.

Reviews

[Doug Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Updegrove has done it again. Continuing the theme begun with The Alexandria Project, he has created another timely and cautionary fictional tale of digital mayhem just at the moment that its nonfiction counterpart is entering our lives. The Blockchain Revolution, besides being a great read, is probably the best chance we ordinary readers will have to understand this new technology that may become the means by which we bank our incomes, shelter our savings, and pay our bills. To the familiar and welcome characters—Frank and his adult daughter, Marla, and CIA official Marchand—Updegrove has added deftly-skewered bankers and investors, plus his most complex villain to date. His unheroic hero, Frank Adversego, amuses, instructs, and warns the reader as he literally saves the world as we know it. Not to be missed!!

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent read. I felt the author had made efforts to make sure the technology was plausible and that they explanations were sound. The story moved well and was interesting. It did feel a little amateurish especially some of the phraseology, but all in all it was a decent read. I also kept thinking that as much time as we spent reading about his squirrel problem, that somehow that would tie into the solution he was searching for. In the end it seemed like a pointless diversion. Happy to have read it, but not sure I'll seek out other books in the series. (BTW, this was remarkably self-contained, and other books in the series need not be read so as not to feel like you're missing out on something)

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you heard the term “Blockchain” and googled it to know what it is? Don’t do it. Your head will spin! Instead read the latest of the Frank Adversego series.

This book has many threads running through it that will keep you entertained while you are being educated. Frank is an introverted “think outside the box” computer genius. He does not assume anything but looks at multiple sides of the issue. I would bet he is an INTJ personality type as I am.

I am not an expert on block chain after reading the book but have a better understanding of it when reading news. In addition I spent an enjoyable several days trying to figure out “who done it” I am looking forward to his next project.

[Mikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't really my type of book. A very interesting plot based on projected possible disaster scenarios involving bitcoin and blockchain. I could imagine how espionage would be made possible by unscrupulous, greedy players, and how one person might seek to take down what they see as corruption of the new world system - their mission to rid the planet of 'fake' currency.

It was a long read and, as is my wont, I skimmed through a lot of it. The final two chapters filled me in on what had happened. I'm a bit of a technology enthusiast, so I understood the underlying premises. The book would appeal more to those who are interested in conspiracy theories.

[Marc Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "smart" book. Sympatico hero Frank Adversego gets caught up with global intrigue, a clever foil with bees in his bonnet and anarchy in his heart, corporate spiciness, and government cat and mouse all wrapped up in a financial blockchain. A squirrel adds a human touch and every Russian has three Dostoyevskian names and roles. Enough technical and strategic detail supplied to make the reader feel vulnerable.

[Chris Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will especially appeal to anyone who works with Blockchain, in finance or anyone who is moderately technically minded. The way Andrew Updegrove describes the technology in the book is not only really accessible to everyone, but is very accurate in a real world sense. The story is book tells is very believable and could most definitely happen. That's one of the scariest aspects of this book. Loved it.

[Nelson Meaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

This is as much about global finance as technology and not being being very financially knowledgable nor about cryptocurrencies or programming, I got enough to follow the basic ideas but couldn’t completely follow along. Still a decent read.

[Sing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the first book was a little more suspenseful but I certainly enjoyed this book as well. I like the author's writing style and the little 'add ons' around the main plot are fun. I especially liked Fang since having dealt with a similar persona myself. I am happy to recommend this book.

[Mr W S Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful

Great storyline, very believable. Guessed the main protagonist early on but the insight into the Blockchain system was well worth hanging on for the final confirmation. Looking forward to reading more Frank adventures

[Malachai Blackthorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharp, darkly funny, and disturbingly realistic, this book blends real world tech threats with a thriller’s urgency. If you love smart, fast paced reads, think Michael Crichton meets Mr. Robot, this one’s for you.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Awesome but scary book. As I read this, I was amazed at the thought behind it. I literally couldn’t put it down for more than 10 minutes.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow!

Very exciting thriller with enough real to be grounded but with enough novel information to make it fascinating. I loved Frank’s character.

[Jefrois · Rating 1 out of 5]

.
.
Book is beyond my pea-brain,

And I think if you say you understand it, then you might be a liar.

I HATE this book.

I stopped reading at page 68.
.
.

[Mary Mladinich-Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a mild thriller. I read this book so I can learn about how blockchain works. This was educational and a good story, too.