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  • Permanent Record

  • Written by: Edward Snowden
  • Narrated by: Holter Graham
  • Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (990 ratings)

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Permanent Record

Written by: Edward Snowden
Narrated by: Holter Graham
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Publisher's Summary

An NPR Best Book of the Year - 2019

Edward Snowden, the man who risked everything to expose the US government’s system of mass surveillance, reveals for the first time the story of his life, including how he helped to build that system and what motivated him to try to bring it down.

In 2013, 29-year-old Edward Snowden shocked the world when he broke with the American intelligence establishment and revealed that the United States government was secretly pursuing the means to collect every single phone call, text message, and email. The result would be an unprecedented system of mass surveillance with the ability to pry into the private lives of every person on earth. Six years later, Snowden reveals for the very first time how he helped to build this system and why he was moved to expose it.

Spanning the bucolic Beltway suburbs of his childhood and the clandestine CIA and NSA postings of his adulthood, Permanent Record is the extraordinary account of a bright young man who grew up online - a man who became a spy, a whistleblower, and, in exile, the internet’s conscience. Written with wit, grace, passion, and an unflinching candor, Permanent Record is a crucial memoir of our digital age and destined to be a classic.

©2019 Edward Snowden (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about Permanent Record

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Great behind the scene story

I loved the genesis story of Edward Snowden. We're about the same age and our lives are quite similar in many ways. Hi act of bravery was to tell the world about digital spying and mine was to rescue my children from my ultra-militant Christian wife and mother of 3, who ended up dying for her faith while having a treatable cancer while living 25 minutes away from free top-tier cancer facility.

Loved the book and it might have impressed on me to write my story.

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Superb

Rarely finish autobiographies but finished this one! Great look at the values that define a person and their actions!

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a must read

this behind the scenes look at the details and happenings outside of the movie is a gift to the reader. I followed along intently. Listening to the story of a normal human being, willing to die for his country for the right reasons and being betrayed by them is heartbreaking. it answers the question definitively.. he is your everyday hero. what happened and what will happen in the new landscape of spying.. is all because of you. you have at least made everyone aware of the irrefutable fact that there is no such thing as a private conversation.

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Good Listen

I just hope Ed gets a few bucks from each sale, as I believe the State Dept is suing to get the proceeds. #Hero

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Food for Thought

This was surprisingly well written and provided much to think about. I'm reminded that democracy like a good marriage is worth fighting for.

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I recommend this book...

I learned a lot about the history of the internet, as well as things I did not understand about what it means to use the internet and technology, in the past and no doubt currently. Edward Snowden I feel should be listened to and believed. Also his personal story, not just his previous career is interesting and gives a clear picture of who he is personally. We all have a right to understand the reality of technology that is necessary in our everyday lives, decide for yourself but regardless of what you choose to believe it’s a worthwhile read/listen, and in my opinion should not be missed by anyone with internet access of any kind. PS my name is Damon Robert Anderson, and I wish you well Edward.

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very entertaining and informative

great book would absolutely reccomend to anyone. Snowden is a surprisingly good writer and keeps you interested every chapter.

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Nothing new

It's mostly his story so if you already know it or have seen him speak (find the youtube video of joe rogan and him) you wont get much out of this book. It's interesting though.

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Informative and interesting

Ever since the world has heard of Edward Snowden, many people like myself have wanted to hear the full story from his perspective. This book has great detail on the accounts of his involvement in the NSA. What lead him to work there, and what inspired Snowden to leak very informative secrets the US government, and other world governments have been keeping the globes population on our privacy and human rights.
I highly recommend this book.

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I wish it was longer, very good book

It would have been nice if there was a chapter about things we could do to help free ourselves, and limit the prying eye.

Help Ed !

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