Customer Reviews

The Fugitive Game: Online With Kevin Mitnick

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just finished reading this book and I must say that it was a real eye-opener. Over the past two weeks, I've read both Cyberpunk and Takedown. On their own, they seem to be pretty straightforward accounts of the tracking and capture of Mitnick. After finishing The Fugitive Game, I now realize how biased and self-serving both books really are.

First of all, this is by far the most informative and interesting of the three works, and aside from the very insightful dialogue of fugitive Mitnick, Littman poses a number of intriguing questions glossed over by the mainstream "press" and which could never be addressed in the other two books:

What was Shimomura's real relationship with Lottor, an ex-hacker and former roommate of Poulsen? Why were the two working together to disassemble cell phone software? What practical application could this possibly have, other than for illegal ESN cloning and eavesdropping? Was Shimomura being covertly employed by the NSA, Air Force, or some other government agency? Why is Shimomura considered a top-notch "security expert" when his computers were systematically violated over the course of many months? Why do Shimomura and the FBI insist that certain valuable applications were being stolen from Shimomura's computer, when at least some of these same programs are freely available on the internet? Why was Markoff permitted to write (uncorrected, in the NY Times) that just before he was caught, Mitnick had attempted to destroy an entire ISP, when in fact the damage was restricted to erasing only a small portion of one backup tape?

Two people benefitted most from the hype surrounding the arrest and criminalization of Mitnick: Shimomura and Markoff. Much of Mitnicks' "crimes" were nothing more than unsubstantiated accusations. Yet the two detectives managed to parlay the bust into a $750k book advance, movie rights, fame, etc., at the expense of Markoff's journalistic integrity.

This book is a must read for anyone looking for an honest account of events, free from self-serving rhetoric of Shimomura and Markoff, and the biases of the mainsteam media.

I became interested in Kevin Poulson and Kevin Mitnick 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.

if you're looking for a revealing account of the "mitnick" story this is it. while littman was researching another hacker, kevin poulsen for his upcoming book The Watchman, he stumbled across mitnick. mitnick and littman form a relationship. mitnick contacts littman from time to time, whether by pay-phone or by hacking into liftman's email account. what makes this book unique from any other is mitnick's account as written by littman of the FBI's pursuit <at the time mitnick was on the FBI's most wanted list>.

the story that littman brings the reader in The Fugitive Game is a thorough account of mitnick's humble beginnings from begging radio shack employees to let him use store computers after closing to his hacking of the world most powerful companies.

a book well written .. fast paced, fun to read.

Littman tries hard in this book to make Kevin Mitnick out to be a noble hero, but it doesn't quite work. I admire the effort, though, and feel like it is a much more honest take on the subject than John Markoff's Takedown - which is, in my opinion, a truly bad book. If you're a hacker, there's lots of good information in The Fugitive Game. For a fuller understanding of Kevin Mitnick's life, and the fascinating and twisted world he comes from, as well as a nicely balanced appraisal of his crimes, I'd recommend Jeff Goodell's The Cyberthief and the Samurai.

If you're interested in the technical side of Mitnick's computer vandalism, you won't find it here. You will, however, get a glimpse into his personality and lifestyle, as well as an idea into those of other famous computer criminals of the '90s.
It is well written, however, as Littman is a professional writer. Contrast this with "Takedown," in which you're given a lot of techical information, but the writing is a bit less refined, as Shimomura makes his living as a scientific computing expert.
Take it for what it is.

If you've followed the Kevin Mitnick story since January '95, you probably think you're pretty well informed on the subject. If you've gone as far as to read "Takedown" by Tsutomu Shimomura and John Markoff, you probably think you know the whole story. I know i did. But then I read this book. Littman, with a truly unique insider's view of Kevin Mitnick's life on the run, presents the story from the other side of the fence. As with many things in life the story turns out to be a lot more complex and interesting than previously thought. Overall, the book is excellent and well written, and Littman raises some very insightful questions about the justice system and typical media coverage of network security issues. I found the last third of the book, the part which chronicles the period after Mitnick's capture, to be somewhat drawn out. I thought that section was a little repetitive, and could have been a lot shorter. Still, the book is an an excellent read, and anyone whose opinions about the Kevin Mitnick case are based on the media coverage and on "Takedown" owe it to themselves to read "The Fugitive Game".

I was strolling through a discount bookstore won nice Saturday morning when I saw this book. I, being interested in computers, decided, `why not give it a shot'? I read through the first three or few pages expecting a rather distasteful and boring read. But what I found was a fascinating and detailed account of the Hunt for Kevin Mitnick.

Our (true) story begins with Kevin Mitnick, a hacker/phreaker (I assume the readers of this review know what a hacker is; a phreaker is someone who does the same things as a hacker does, but only with phones), who is so good at what he does that he was able to break into the National Air Force Security System, prompting the 1983 film WarGames. Now, Kevin, as well as being chased by the FBI in public, is being investigated undercover by one Eric Meinz, a hacker turned FBI `mercenary', that is to say his entire life, including living expenses and computers, phones, etc. are all being payed by the FBI. You're probably wondering, why would the FBI help a hacker? To find out about Mitnick and his plans. Unfortunately FBI, as unattractive as Mitnick might be, he is still a computer genius and, while the FBI is `spying' on him, Mitnick is himself `spying `on them. The chase is on...

Now, although the title and cover might suggest this is mostly just interviews with Mitnick, it is much more like... A Civil Action (by Jonathan Harr). It's an analysis of what went on during the months in which Kevin Mitnick was being chased and investigated by the FBI.

I thought this was an excellent book. It held my interest thoroughly. It made me think, it made me wonder, it made me... keep turning the pages! The author, ever so subtly, also adds his thoughts on the subject. Also, there are many other characters (real characters, I might add). I wouldn't call this book a report, but rather a telling of what happened. But one thing's for sure... it's not just a bunch of interviews with Mitnick.

A great book, especially if you're into computers, hackers, what hackers do, and other things in that subject matter. Enjoy!

A.A.

I must say that this is one of the most addictive books I have read in ages, the subject (Mitnik) is portrayed realistically from both sides of the media fence (tabloid one side and realistically on the other) - there isnt a dull moment in the book and edge of the seat stuff as to what Mitnik will say next or little information he will drop Jonathan in their seemingly elongated phone calls. The way Littman is allowing us to be drawn into Mitniks charismatic personallity is in real time and you grow to like and feel sorry for the vendetta launched against Mitnik by the tabloid press and the FBI/gov. system. On the flip side Mitniks ability to retrieve information either by hacking or social engineering gives a insight to his more devious side and balances out the main character of this tale. Add to this the wild array of characters ranging from a Japanese spook, whome Mitnik has great respect to an ex-FBI informer who likes bondage and strippers. This book has everything and a lot more depth in its writing narrative from Littman. Overall a fantastic read which will keep you wishing the ending was a little different. Great Stuff!!!

One good thing I can say about this book is that the author didn't suffer from too much distance from his subject (Kevin Mitnick) to accurately describe him- the two spoke on the phone with regularity while the hacker was on the lam. However, this intimacy actually hurt the story in that the author injected himself too much in the tale. I was interested in learning about the seedy lives of these hackers and information thieves, and not about journalistic competition and the charge that the author got out of talking to a fugitive. The writing was disjointed, too: a phone conversation here, a snippet from a New York Times article, there. The story wasn't told in the chronologically ordered fashion that makes most nonfiction works easily read.

That aside, although I don't doubt that this book gives an honest and straightforward account of how Shimomura tracked down Mitnick, the story itself isn't that thrilling. I didn't like and/or root for any of the players, thought they were self-serving children, and ended up hoping they all would get caught. The "takedown" was anticlimactic and was like witnessing first-graders spit in one another's milk and tattle on each other. Mitnick, Lewis DePayne, and Agent Steal in particular were loathsome, both in their actions and their attempts to rationalize what they'd done. Claiming that the illegalities one person commits are all right because they are not as bad as another's is ethically a tough pill to swallow- and yet is the morality that pervades the lives of the hackers depicted herein.

All told, I ended up frustrated in the FBI, worried about the security of my computer and the internet in general, and saddened to learn more about yet another brand of creep threatening the good people left the world: the hacker.

Written by a journalist who was in regular contact with Kevin, as opposed to a journalist who was part of the team trying to catch him (Takedown). Fugitive Game is the exciting and often moving story of Kevin Mitnick, who in this book seems more like an overgrown kid than the evil mastermind he's made out to be elsewhere. It's given particular poignance now when you realize how long Mitnick spent in jail for what was (in the end) a minor array of crimes. Lots of government and law enforcement idiocy thrown in for humorous spice. Good read.