Rating: 
Summary: wow!
Review: a classic thriller-for-suburbans! while bordering on science-
fiction, it still manages somehow to stay a fair (or perhaps not so fair)
amount of time inside the bounds of plausibility of national enquierer fans.
etcetera. a must for unbelievable (for good reason) sensation seekers,
and people who might not know better. who would have thought that mr. littman
was also an extraordinary comedy writer! not me.
after reading this book, i will never again believe rumours that our rising star of an author might be unstable in any way.
in my my humble opinion, this book might be useful in many ways,
however, i don't think it burns very well, therefore: don't try it at home.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book at all
Review: A good book at all, while it can be take as a precise decsription of KP actions it shows very much of the 3l33t hacking in California. When we cross names involved in KP saga with those cited by Shimomura in Takedown it is clear Kevin was not just another suburban phreaker. Given the details about cell phreaking described by the author on The Fugitive Game it would make sense to correlate what was going on between Kevin and those "talented cell phreakers" cited in The Fugitive Game. It's unfortunate, also, that many of the "crimes" attributed to KP on the book don't show up in "The Setencing" at Kevin's homepage, were those charges dropped before the judgement? At last, reading Chaos Theory for the last months shows that Kevin & Ron are still playing like kids regards their old chap Jutin
Rating:
Summary: Cyber Offender 3
Review: Another thriller by Littman and a better book than The Fugitive Game. I don't think there is anything ever will occur in this world than what has already narrated in this book. But the characters are no heroes like in Fugitive Game, simply sensual souls. The revelations of the carnal cyber pleasures of a carnal cyber offender by Littman have put himself in different class unknown hitherto.
Rating: 
Summary: Littman is one terrific fiction writer.
Review: Having finished this book, I thought to myself "that was a
terrific novel" and then realized that this was supposed to
be a factual book.
The author creates his own dialogue, thoughts and events to make the story more appealing, but in the process, loses one important thing -- the truth.
Anyone wishing to know the true stories of Kevin Poulsen, Justin Petersen or Ron Austin should not look to this book as a fact source. This book is pure fluff and at best, can be used as a paperweight.
Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money on this novel
Review: Having finished this book, I thought to myself "that was aterrific novel" and then realized that this was supposed tobe a factual book. The author creates his own dialogue, thoughts and events to make the story more appealing, but in the process, loses one important thing -- the truth. Anyone wishing to know the true stories of Kevin Poulsen, Justin Petersen or Ron Austin should not look to this book as a fact source. This book is pure fluff and at best, can be used as a paperweight. Jonathan Littman has again proven to us that facts in a fact-based book are irrelevant and that spinning your own tales and attributing it to others is the way to sell things. This book has been met with sharp criticism from all the hackers involved.
Rating:
Summary: sure to become a collectors item
Review: I am a pretty good friend of Kevin. I can assure you
he is no longer in federal prison and is now once again loose on the
streets of LA. I know there are lots of great stories
to tell about his experiences and I'm sure Littman
will be great at making things sound more exciting and
less true than they are. With regard to the title it should
be noted that people are born Hackers, thus the term
"serial hacker" is quite redundant. Don't miss the little
picture of Littman at the bottom of the front cover.
Rating:
Summary: True Story From A Great Writer
Review: I became interested in Kevin Poulson after reading several articles about his exploits. After learning about this new book from Jonathan Littman, I emailed the author for sources of more information. He (of course) advised that I purchase his two books on The Kevins: 1) "The Fugitive Game: Online With Kevin Mitnick", and 2) "The Watchman: The Twisted Life and Crimes of Serial Hacker Kevin Poulsen". I ordered the two books, along with "Cyberpunk: Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier" by John Markoff and Katie Hafner. I read Jonathan Littman's two books first, and was very excited with the stories, and his factual presentation. His writing style is an excellent fit for the type of story he is telling. It was obvious that Littman researched the facts and presented them in an unbiased manner. I liked that he presented both the technical information and the human elements of the stories. I also liked that he exposed many myths and controversy regarding the players in the stories, like John Markoff's getting involved in the chase for Mitnick, crossing the ethical boundary between journalism and law enforcement. I then read "Cyberpunk" by Markoff and Hafner. Boy, what a difference! Where Littman was factual, Markoff was more into storytelling. I cannot say who's right (I wasn't THERE), but Markoff just didn't come across as complete and factual, especially in light of Littman's comments on his questionable involvement in Mitnick's capture. I did, however, love Markoff's telling of the rtm story (Robert Tappan Morris - the sendmail internet worm guy). I'd give this book 3 stars. I'd like to take a moment to comment on some other reviews that I think are unfair or inaccurate. Regarding "The Watchman": "Big Letdown" stated that there was too much technical information. I completely disagree. It's true that I personally enjoyed the technical details, but I also felt it was important insight into a hacker's curiosity response to forbidden systems. "Hmmm...Perhaps Jonathan should have done more research" stated that Littman didn't give Poulsen a chance, and made him out to be a monster. I wonder if we read the same book? I did not get the impression that Poulsen was a monster of any kind, just a kid addicted to the power and thrills of having absolute control over other people's forbidden systems. On the contrary, I think Littman did a professional, accurate, and entertaining presentation of the story and it's facts. Regarding "The Fugitive Game": "lots of clumsy writing here" stated that Littman tried to make Mitnick out to be a hero. Again, I have to wonder if we read the same book. Littman did no such thing. In fact, Littman "de-heroed" other characters that John Markoff pumped up in his telling of events. From reading the above-mentioned three books, Littman comes across as MUCH more factual. "Not Very good" stated that the story was boring, and to get other books like the Cuckoo's Egg, and maybe even At Large. The book was far from boring, but I'd have to agree that "The Watchman" was better (I give "The Fugitive Game" 4 stars, "The Watchman" 5 stars.) I guess I'll have to check out "Cuckoo's Egg" and "At Large" - at least the reviewer made alternative recommendations, which I thank him/her for. Finally, to help the reader of this review judge how relevant my opinion is, I'll tell you where I'm coming from. I consider myself to be very technical. I really got started with computers back in 1978, about the same time these guys were getting going. I went through many of the same "phases" these hackers went through. I did things to computers that weren't supposed to be done - and got caught a couple times (ahh, the old days...) So I think I'm qualified to judge a "real" story. All three books were nostalgic for me, but Littman's were the most accurate, I think. In my opinion, he described what it was REALLY like: the curiosity, the intensity, the excitement of discovery, the thrill of the hunt, and the addiction of absolute control.
Rating:
Summary: True Story From A Great Writer
Review: I became interested in Kevin Poulson after reading several articles about his exploits. After learning about this new book from Jonathan Littman, I emailed the author for sources of more information. He (of course) advised that I purchase his two books on The Kevins: 1) "The Fugitive Game: Online With Kevin Mitnick", and 2) "The Watchman: The Twisted Life and Crimes of Serial Hacker Kevin Poulsen". I ordered the two books, along with "Cyberpunk: Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier" by John Markoff and Katie Hafner. I read Jonathan Littman's two books first, and was very excited with the stories, and his factual presentation. His writing style is an excellent fit for the type of story he is telling. It was obvious that Littman researched the facts and presented them in an unbiased manner. I liked that he presented both the technical information and the human elements of the stories. I also liked that he exposed many myths and controversy regarding the players in the stories, like John Markoff's getting involved in the chase for Mitnick, crossing the ethical boundary between journalism and law enforcement. I then read "Cyberpunk" by Markoff and Hafner. Boy, what a difference! Where Littman was factual, Markoff was more into storytelling. I cannot say who's right (I wasn't THERE), but Markoff just didn't come across as complete and factual, especially in light of Littman's comments on his questionable involvement in Mitnick's capture. I did, however, love Markoff's telling of the rtm story (Robert Tappan Morris - the sendmail internet worm guy). I'd give this book 3 stars. I'd like to take a moment to comment on some other reviews that I think are unfair or inaccurate. Regarding "The Watchman": "Big Letdown" stated that there was too much technical information. I completely disagree. It's true that I personally enjoyed the technical details, but I also felt it was important insight into a hacker's curiosity response to forbidden systems. "Hmmm...Perhaps Jonathan should have done more research" stated that Littman didn't give Poulsen a chance, and made him out to be a monster. I wonder if we read the same book? I did not get the impression that Poulsen was a monster of any kind, just a kid addicted to the power and thrills of having absolute control over other people's forbidden systems. On the contrary, I think Littman did a professional, accurate, and entertaining presentation of the story and it's facts. Regarding "The Fugitive Game": "lots of clumsy writing here" stated that Littman tried to make Mitnick out to be a hero. Again, I have to wonder if we read the same book. Littman did no such thing. In fact, Littman "de-heroed" other characters that John Markoff pumped up in his telling of events. From reading the above-mentioned three books, Littman comes across as MUCH more factual. "Not Very good" stated that the story was boring, and to get other books like the Cuckoo's Egg, and maybe even At Large. The book was far from boring, but I'd have to agree that "The Watchman" was better (I give "The Fugitive Game" 4 stars, "The Watchman" 5 stars.) I guess I'll have to check out "Cuckoo's Egg" and "At Large" - at least the reviewer made alternative recommendations, which I thank him/her for. Finally, to help the reader of this review judge how relevant my opinion is, I'll tell you where I'm coming from. I consider myself to be very technical. I really got started with computers back in 1978, about the same time these guys were getting going. I went through many of the same "phases" these hackers went through. I did things to computers that weren't supposed to be done - and got caught a couple times (ahh, the old days...) So I think I'm qualified to judge a "real" story. All three books were nostalgic for me, but Littman's were the most accurate, I think. In my opinion, he described what it was REALLY like: the curiosity, the intensity, the excitement of discovery, the thrill of the hunt, and the addiction of absolute control.
Rating:
Summary: A chilling look at the vulnerability & capability of PacBell
Review: I found this book interesting on several levels. It's about
our telecommunications system, about a few people's ethics
abusing the power of that system, and about the state of
enforcement against violations of that system. All done
in a readable accounting of a small cast of characters' actions over a fifteen year period.
It's a difficult task to make day-to-day events readable,
much less involving. Littman has done a credible job here,
describing the exploits of a clique with a combination of
smarts, talent, and a moral code in which authority plays
much farther down the list than does knowledge, capability
or skill in manipulation.
What I find amazing in this recount is the ineptitude of
the investigative and law enforcement arms of local, state
and federal agencies in bringing a case against Poulsen. Littman presents a balanced view of the criminal and the system against which the crimes were commited. Until the
maintainers and protectors of these systems admit their
vulnerabilities, phone phreaking of this magnitude will
increase, not decrease, in an ever digitally-conscious world. That the Attorney General was not able to make a
more compelling case--if all of Littman's accounts, or
Kevin's recall of them are true--speaks more to what the
Government and the Pacific Bell want to keep quiet.
That a person of Poulsen's ethics, curiosity and talent hacked PacBell offices isn't surprising (it's where the data is, to paraphrase Willy Sutton), that he did it repeatedly and for so long--physically and electronically--should make any citizen concerned for their privacy. Privacy not from the Poulsens or Mitnicks of the world, but from the phone companies and the agencies that use them on the fringes of the law.SAS is something every member of congress and
civil libertarian should be screaming about for oversight.
I agree with Lottor that "Serial Hacker" is redundant, but
notice also that Mark doesn't take issue with the title's
assertion that Kevin's life and crimes reveal a sociopath.
In the game Dungeons & Dragons, the appeal is that it is a world where you make your own rules. Kevin is without a
doubt the dungeonmaster of California's phone system.
This book is the most intimate accounting of a very capable hacker's evolution. Does power corrupt, always? Certainly power and curiosity were compelling drugs for Kevin Poulsen.
Rating:
Summary: hilarious ..
Review: i liked this book. i enjoyed the people profiled in the book, kevin poulsen and his friends. one of the things that i enjoyed the most was their great sense of humor as was illustrated by the phone hacks of radio dj rick dees. the group won several sports cars by manipulating the radio show's phone lines. i found this book to be a nice companion piece to The Fugitive Game also by jon littman.
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