Rating: 
Summary: I like privacy! But freedom is paramount.
Review: The opening line (above) is just a little misleading. I don't argue against privacy. If we remain a free, cantankerous and sovereign people, we'll be able to demand a little privacy, no matter how pervasive the technologies of surveillance become. My emphasis in the book is that freedom must come first in our list of priorities. And history shows that only one tool has enabled people to maintain liberty. That tool is accountability -- the power to make sure the mighty (whether governments, aristocrats or any other elite) must answer questions and reveal their schemes. In other words, we have one answer to Juvenal's old question: 'Who will watch the watchmen?' The answer must be... us.This topic is just beginning. Let's argue like a free people, and don't fall for easy assumptions. In the long run, light will protect us better than secrecy or masks. END
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Balance Against Knee-Jerk Privacy
Review: This book does a good job spelling out a counter argument to the Big Brother mythology. Brin suggests all of the information is, on average, better for society because the malicious folks are usually punished. Yes, he admits, the information in the databases will be misused from time to time, but it will save more butts than it fries. The book is a bit too long, but it's fun to read all of the different nuances of the argument. I started skimming toward the end, but that wasn't because I didn't enjoy it. I just groked the argument and didn't need anymore help with it.
Rating: 
Summary: good discussion on the privacy/technology debate
Review: This book is an EXCELLENT reference tool for anyone interested in this subject. I expected the book to focus more on technological developments and their implications, rather than the psych 101/human nature 101 lecture that it turned out to be. Furthermore, the constant references to the author's own work throughout the book were intrusive. It would have been a better work if he devoted more time discussing the economic/financial implications of technology and the perceived invasion. However, he did raise some very good and interesting points about the idea of transparency and its applications in an "open" society. He also nicely pointed out the contradictions in the logic of pro-encryption and libertarian groupies. Overall, it's a good and thought provoking read.
Rating:
Summary: Good read but verbose.
Review: This is a great book. Its well researched and takes issues a step further for analysis. But, I do think that some of his solutions will not work in the real world. The basic premise of the book is that privacy and freedom are not 2 sides of the same coin. He goes on to explain, giving various examples, that if we lose our freedom, we will have no privacy left to defend. But, if we have our freedom, we will be in a position to demand some privacy. His solution is to have complete transparency i.e. shine the light in both the directions...from the govt. towards the people and vice versa. He explains how this will work wonders and solve various problems and he analyzes each problem in detail. Although he has suggestions on how to do it, he does NOT have any concrete method to make the govt or other power houses to be accountable. Thats where accountability and transparency fail. But, in principle, his ideas are great and need attention. Hopefully, some people in power think on these lines or atleast put these thoughts on the table, along with the others, before taking decisions. The book is very very positive, but perhaps more positive than how reality deals with the man on the road. Simple egs like the "McCarthy era Communist witch-hunt" which is supposed to have implicated many innocent people, the horror stories of the IRS published in TIME, and endless other egs go on to prove how bad it can get for the man on the street. He brings a great debate of pro-encryption vs anti-encryption to light and talks abt all the ways it can be harmful for the man on the street. He also discusses usage of encryption for business on the net. The book has a lot of "if x happens, then y could happen".
For example, he mentions the 92 incidents at the WTC and goes on to say that if something similar happens again, the govt will only get another chance to slap down more laws and restrictions with hidden forces getting their way and the normal layman losing some more of his freedom. In summary, a very nice book to read with a completely fresh set of ideas. Very refreshing. But would be just as effective with a 100 pages less. If you are a believer of privacy by keeping everything in the dark, this book could convert you. With reason. Another great book to read is "Free to choose". It talks about freedom from the economic point of view but is not completely orthogonal to the theme of this book. Plus it written by Friedman. And no one tells him what not to write.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book
Review: This is a very good book for people to be come aware of their rights and responsibilities when dealing in an ever connected world. Mr Brin gives thoughtful two sided insight about some issues of how things are in the world today and poses questions of how we can thoughtfully consider the world and how it should or could be. Must read for anyone who gets involved heavily online or in public policy discussion, or is just a bit "different". When you are aware what is going on - you lose that feeling of loss of privacy when you can consider it is often for public protection.
Rating:
Summary: Something that every politician and scientist should read.
Review: This is the most thought provoking book I've ever read regarding solving many of the problems present in our American society. Brin not only plays Devil's Advocate with himself, he does so in a scientific fashion, backing up each side with facts and quotes from sources both old and new. He has in one book restated all the things that were intended to make our society a great one, and given us a means to achieve them still, even with all the troubles both seen and unforseen. Brin is a true genius, to be put in the shelf next to such authors as Karl Popper and Benjamin Franklin.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: While I do not agree 100% with what David has to say, I have found that I seek more openness on the Internet today, rather than privacy and encryption for my personal "online entity". David has put into words what I have felt for a long time; when one hides behind a curtain to protect their identity, they tend to behave much, much differently than when they are known. A must read for anyone interested in privacy, or for those who fear losing their privacy.
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