The Cyberthief and the Samurai: The True Story of Kevin Mitnick-And the Man Who Hunted Him Down (Paperback)

~ Jeff Goodell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Goodell, a journalist who first wrote about Mitnick for Rolling Stone, here describes how computer hacker Kevin Mitnick was tracked down and finally caught with the help of computer security agent Tsutomu Shimomura. But this is not just a high-speed chase along the information superhighway; it is also the story of how the media hyped the concepts of the hacker and the high tech theft. There is enough accurate technical information to intrigue and educate readers (especially about cellular phones), and Goodell provides a good, clear look at the people, egos, companies and agencies involved in the search for this troubled man. But the mass of details and personalities threatens to overwhelm the book, and the plot plods slowly until the end of the final chase and capture.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

He was called "The Condor," and "Mr. Cyberpunk." He was a rebel. A loner. A poor kid from California thumbing his nose at society as he hacked into phone companies, international corporations -- and possibly even the U.S. Military Command.

The FBI couldn't stop him. And they sure as hell couldn't catch him.

Then Kevin Mitnick did the "impossible." He got into the personal home computer of the man considered by many a master of cybersecurity, Tsutomu Shimomura. That computer held data for advanced security systems and top secret intrusion and surveillance tools.

Shimomura -- a modern-day intellectual Samurai -- decided Mitnick had to be stopped. He had the high-tech gadgets and the brains to do it.

Now the leading expert on computer crime made it a matter of honor to bring America's most notorious computer criminal to justice. But the Information Highway is the perfect place to run, hide -- and get away with very dirty tricks....

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Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Dell (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440222052
• ISBN-13: 978-0440222057
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #375,116 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on the topic, October 17, 2004

By	David Maynor (atlanta, ga United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read all 3 books on the Mitnick manhunt: Takedown, The fugitive Game, and The Cyberthief and the Samurai.

The Goodel book, the cyberthief and the samurai, was the first book I read on the subject. I read it shortly after it was published and thought it was very well balanced between the two parts of the story. After reading the other two books i realized that this book is the best becasue it doesn't pick sides, its just an accurate retelling of the story.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars made me feel sympathy for Kevin Mitnick, July 8, 1998

By A Customer

This book did what I thought no book could do - it made me feel sympathy for Kevin Mitnick. It's also a page-turner. There is actual drama in this book, which is remarkable, since most books about hackers are bogged down in details about code and hacker tricks that are completely lost on the average reader. This book strikes a fine balance, it seems to me. I learned a lot, but I also had fun. Goodell seems to understand that there is a lot of grey area in hacking, that it is not all good and evil. This dramatically told tale reflects that understanding. I'd recommend it highly to anyone with even a passing interest in cyber culture.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best of the bunch, June 20, 1998

By A Customer

I just read all three books about Kevin Mitnick, and this one is far and away the best. Good on the technical details, but better on the big picture, and the whole tragedy of Mitnick's life. Powerful stuff!