Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
The Fugitive Game: Online with Kevin Mitnick Paperback – January 1, 1997
| Jonathan Littman (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
| Price | New from | Used from |
Enhance your purchase
- Print length416 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 1997
- Dimensions5.5 x 1.04 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-100316528692
- ISBN-13978-0316528696
Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted HackerKevin MitnickPaperback$9.21 shipping
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
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.
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.
I really enjoyed this book and found it very informative and fair to the subjects, since it is a true story.
highly recommend if you are interested in computers and those that hack, just from the vicarious thrill, as well as how to protect yourself online!
Littman exposes the conflicts of interest in Mitnick's pursuers, the lack of financial gain in Mitnick's crimes, and the irony of Shimomura's "dangerous software" that Mitnick allegedly copied.
Everybody seems to have an ulterior motive in this story, and Littman's sympathies clearly belong to Mitnick. After reading this book, chances are you will at least see the "David vs. Goliath" aspect as well.
I found TFG compelling because it questions the general storyline associated with Kevin's crimes. Rather than simply retelling telephone conversations, the author uses these as inspiration to analyze various aspects of the government's case against Kevin. I think he makes an intriguing case that the law enforcement decided to make an example of Kevin, and it is unlikely in such a situation to ever see those involved change course once the story is set.
TFG is also interesting because the author, as a member of Kevin's inner circle, suspected that others were spying on his phone calls and email messages. This brings the situation even closer to home for the author.
If you like 1990s hacker history, you're sure to enjoy reading TFG.
Top reviews from other countries
Faticosissimo da leggere.
interessante per tutti quelli che sono interessati all'argomento hacking
To readers: a similar book, "The Watchman" is much better,
This book seems to just be puffing up Shimomuras ego..kind of pandering too much.
Still interesting, but Ghost in the Wires was so well written that this one pales in comparison




