Andrew Fowler

This book is written by a journalist and it shows. The style is that of an extended current affairs report, a sort of over-the top seriousness. The hyperbole of the title gives an indication of the contents. It is a headline. The book tells the early and recent history of Julian Assange and Wikileaks. It describes a driven, ethical, highly intelligent and somewhat paranoid man who is as good at making friends -- or at least, supporters -- as he is at losing or neglecting them. Fowler dumbs down discussion of the Internet, hacking, cryptography and the technology which enables Wikileaks to exist. Instead he concentrates on the journalism aspects of the story. The collaboration between Wikileaks, the Guardian, Der Spiegel and the New York Times on the 'Cablegate' document releases is discussed in great detail, and gives an insight into the shark-eat-shark world of corporate professional journalism. Assange's personality dominates Wikileaks; the two entities will most likely sink or swim together. There have been mistakes and enemies made which may make Wikileaks impossible to operate. But the *idea* of Wikileaks will continue to challenge mainstream journalism and secretive organisations, and that has been Assange's contribution.… (altro)