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  • The Cuckoo's Egg

  • Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage
  • By: Cliff Stoll
  • Narrated by: Will Damron
  • Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (255 ratings)
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The Cuckoo's Egg cover art

The Cuckoo's Egg

By: Cliff Stoll
Narrated by: Will Damron
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Summary

Before the internet became widely known as a global tool for terrorists, one perceptive US citizen recognized its ominous potential. Armed with clear evidence of computer espionage, he began a highly personal quest to expose a hidden network of spies that threatened national security. But would the authorities back him up? Cliff Stoll's dramatic firsthand account is "a computer-age detective story, instantly fascinating [and] astonishingly gripping" - Smithsonian.

Cliff Stoll was an astronomer turned systems manager at Lawrence Berkeley Lab when a 75 cent accounting error alerted him to the presence of an unauthorized user on his system. The hacker's code name was "Hunter" - a mysterious invader who managed to break into US computer systems and steal sensitive military and security information. Stoll began a one-man hunt of his own: spying on the spy. It was a dangerous game of deception, broken codes, satellites, and missile bases - a one-man sting operation that finally gained the attention of the CIA...and ultimately trapped an international spy ring fueled by cash, cocaine, and the KGB.

©1989 Clifford Stoll (P)2020 Tantor

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What listeners say about The Cuckoo's Egg

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story but iffy presentation at times.

Firstly I really enjoyed this account. The fact that it happened decades ago in no way minimises its impact. It is let down a bit by the author's somewhat confusing stance on his own political leanings. He is basically a left-wing student type having difficulties with his ongoing discoveries that most FBI, NSA and CIA personnel with whom he deals are basically decent people with no personal axes to grind. Another annoying feature is that the narrator adopts a dreadful cod-Russian accent to reflect the childish "Russian" personae (Boris and Natasha) adopted by the writer and his girlfriend. Along with the writer's clear wish to be seen as an innocent abroad in a big bad world, it is irritating. These things apart, I found it a very good listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

. Essential listening for those who want to understand the Internet or who enjoy a good tale

The story has not dated, although the technology has changed. It's still a story of creative thinking and puzzle solving, by real humans. The evocation of San Frank in the 80s is powerful and warm

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing book with excellent dlivery

The book has a gripping story. the computer and cyber security parts are explained in an eloquent way. The delivery by the narrator is excellent

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a story!

So great to listen to — great writing style, great reading, and the story is just breathtaking

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent insight into early hacking

good story, well told giving a historical insight into early computer hacking and the fixed lines between US government agencies.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Starts a little slow but gets very interesting!

This is one of those stories that gradually builds as it progresses.
It's a little dated now in terms of what we all assume is security, but back then things were far simpler.
A very interesting delve into the early days of hackers versus good guys.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best listen in many a year. What a story!

Simply brilliant. I couldn’t stop listening. This book is engrossing and fascinating. Without doubt one of the best listens I’ve ever had.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best thrillers I read this year

For those who love a bit of spy and hacking stories ! Well worth your time

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Balanced story but unlikeable narrative

The story itself is a really nice balance, and gripping for what could be very technical subject matter.
However the author gets a bit repetitive, and his description of any character other than himself is often stereotypical and reductive. Gets a bit pale, male, and stale.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable lesson from recent history

Very fun. With the speed of technological progress and now wide spread IT literacy, this no longer reads as a tale of computer wizardry. However, this simplicity makes it one of the easiest to understand ‘hacker tales’, and it is a well told and enormously engaging ‘sleuth’ story. The peek into the world of academia and Berkeley liberalism of the time is also fascinating and remains relevant today. Strong recommend!

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