Great quality of information

An amazing detailed account of the agency's history and future. Factual, sometimes fun, often scary, based on decent sources, it is always interesting. I just regret the monotonous voice, much less engaging than her usual elocution in interviews or presentations.

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1 person found this helpful

A Superb Listen

An outstanding listen, it makes you realise just how much goes on behind the label, TOP SECRET, it also, in what this book has been able to reveal, disturbs me! Recommended!

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A Potentially Fascinating Look At Dark Tech.

A comprehensive reportage on part of the machinery that has evolved to produce the products of what, for want of a better description, has been called the American Industrial-Military Complex.

Some of the subject matter presented here simply amazes the average reader, who would find himself hard put to believe manifest, even in the most far-fetched science fiction novel. This book is certainly jammed backed with interesting detail.

The author competently investigates non-covert aspects of DARPA, the prime mover of defense related research, how and to what extent it operates and some of its more familiar, non-covert production (Internet, robots, drones, networks, cyborgs, etc.). She also almost, but not quite, speculates on what still might remain hidden under overs stamped "CLASSIFIED".

Something in the work is lacking and it is too bad that it is not there. Perhaps it is the author's career as a reporter ("just the facts, ma'am) that enforces a reluctance to colour her reports with the finishing touches of imagination.The reader can only speculate how much more edifying and entertaining this book could have been with a brighter, more science oriented author.

But perhaps, I am being unfair with this criticism, as I have read Jacobsen's earlier work "Operation Paperclip" which also, like this one, I found worth a read.

In this Audible version, the author reads her work clearly, competently and in complete monotone stolidness, from beginning to end. She never once falters from this style of delivery, making a good argument against some authors being allowed to perform their own work.

I think that this intriguing subject is still waiting for a more satisfying and eloquent work on this fascinating area of dark technology.

Do I recommend the book? Yes, for those interested in the subject.

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3 people found this helpful

Amazing book.

Extensive research has gone into this one. Definitely worth a go if you have interest in the subject. Needs at least two listens to get all the info. Recommended.

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Detailed but Turgid

I think this could have been shorter but - boy - is it comprehensive?! I'm afraid that the narrator's delivery was rather soporific.

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2 people found this helpful

Incredibly well done

Annie Jacobsen masterfully tells the story of one of the most important and least-well-known organizations in the modern world.

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Very interesting

Really interesting stories but it does feel drawn out by the end, some of the stories could have been cut down a bit.

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Interesting, Reading Could Be Better

This is an interesting listen and reveals many details of this agency and its activities that are fascinating. A lot of research must have been carried out to produce it and that is to be applauded. The writing is also very professional.

The only detriment for me is Ms. Jacobsen's reading of her book. She has an odd, almost declamatory breathless style which I found detracted from the content. Further, some of her mangled pronunciations are very weird, e.g:

"Eggeena" for Agena
"Maykong" for Mekong
"NO rad" for "NORAD
"Psykorsky" for Sikorsky
"Beemeurs" for "BEMEWS"
"Onrico" for Enrico

I wondered if this was because of her provenance, or simply affected? I'm not sure, but these terms and their pronunciation are well-known so it does seem odd.

Overall, a good book, but would be better read by a professional narrator (like her other audiobooks in fact).

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Excellent read ...

The more you know, the more you realise you don’t know. Some great insights into seldom talked about parts of American history.

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This is what has been declassified!

Annie Jacobsen strolls with confidence through DARPA's history. On the way she manages to link up the different eras through notable characters, highlights the importance of brilliant scientists, and looks at some of the implications of the technologies.
The truly shocking realisation is that this is what is declassified. As Jacobsen reiterates, DARPAs job is to do research before a particular threat becomes real. Waiting for the threat would leave the US unprotected and vulnerable.
So, the biggest question has to be, 'What are they working on now, and what is still classified?'

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