From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

Little Brother (Little Brother #1)

Cory Doctorow

Why we're reading this: Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is only seventeen years old, but he figures he already knows how the system work…more
[close] Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is only seventeen years old, but he figures he already knows how the system works–and how to work the system. Smart, fast, and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting his high school’s intrusive but clumsy surveillance systems.

But his whole world changes when he and his friends find themselves caught in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his crew are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and whisked away to a secret prison where they’re mercilessly interrogated for days.

When the DHS finally releases them, Marcus discovers that his city has become a police state where every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist. He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him only one option: to take down the DHS himself.

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What Members Thought

May 17, 2012 Mitchell Friedman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: five-star, fiction, library, liked-reviews, favorites, computer-science, political, published-2008, author-d

Currently re-reading for book group. The beginning is pretty good. But it bogs down some. And then it bogs down more because it makes me blood boiling furious. But still I didn't see why I had given it a five star. And then I reached the point that I did. Still reading though. It is hard to believe that I read this for the first time so long ago - 2013 - in the beginning of the second Obama presidency.

And re-read finished. It goes a little too geeky at times. But it's worth reading now just as m ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 21, 2008 Jennifer Wardrip marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: teen, trt-posted-reviews, library-bloomington, apocalyptic-dystopian

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

LITTLE BROTHER presents a pretty scary picture of the way things could be if terrorist threats continue, and politicians keep funding the Department of Homeland Security with no thought as to how this might victimize the average innocent American. There is already an incredible amount of technology devoted to "spying" on the citizens of our country, and we normally don't give it a second thought. This book will make you think - and ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 01, 2009 Amanda rated it liked it · review of another edition

High School techno-geeks of San Francisco unite to stand against increasingly fascist dept of Homeland security measures in a post devastating terrorist attack on their city. These measures are being slowly and insidiously introduced for the peoples own good and to keep them safe.
This is a fast paced and compelling young-adult book which puts forward a very thought provoking scenario. How much personal freedom would you be willing to sacrifice for the common good.? There are many moments of rea ...more

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Sep 19, 2008 Rachel rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

If you like reading huge manuals on computer security this book is for you! This book was 1/5 plot, 1/5 travel guide to San Francisco with a few tangents about homelessness and city planning thrown in, and 3/5 computer security speak. PAINFUL!

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 07, 2009 Aimee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: brainy-reads, young-adult, sf-fantasy

This book is 1984's hipper, computer-savvy younger brother. (Hence the title.) A fight for cyber-freedom from the POV of a 17 year-old hacker. If you've ever thought that some of the precautions we have been forced to take by our government "because of the threat of terrorism" are ridiculous (or at least not worth the effort given the low return), this is definitely the book for you. I think the author takes his point to the extreme at times and I don't fully agree with him, but I did fully enjo ...more

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Apr 02, 2015 Ariel rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: did-not-finish

I was super excited for this book, but I just couldn't get into it.
Perhaps it was the teenage boy perspective, or the overwhelming techno talk. It's not a bad book at all. With teh right audience, I'm sure its great!
Just not for me. ...more

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