Hacker, Hoaxer, Whistleblower, Spy

September 22, 2014
In this eye-opening ethnography, cultural anthropologist Coleman (Coding Freedom) constructs a fascinating picture of the many facets of the Internet collective known as Anonymous, from tricksters and trolls to social crusaders and information warriors. She pulls back the curtain to reveal feuding factions, evolving purposes, scatological humor, and a healthy dose of bizarre in-jokes. In particular, she looks at how they’ve taken on corporations, governments, even Scientology, and come out on top almost every time. Her writing style is as irreverent and occasionally as profane as her subjects, drawing the reader in with a casual amiability, as if sharing the wild stories of impossible and unreliable acquaintances. Interviews, chat logs, leaked documents, and personal recollections help construct one of the most accessible and most illuminating profiles possible of a group that, by its very creed, can’t easily be defined or categorized. This all-access pass into the dark and wild corners of the Internet is timely, informative, and also frightening.

February 27, 2017
Anthropologist Coleman studies the many facets of the Internet collective known as Anonymous, hackers known for being everything from tricksters and trolls to social crusaders and information warriors. She pulls back the curtain to reveal feuding factions, evolving purposes, scatological humor, and a healthy dose of bizarre in-jokes. The book draws on Coleman’s firsthand experience as an ethnographer interacting with the group over several years; interviews, chat logs, leaked documents, and personal recollections. Reader Gilbert maintains a clear and consistent tone that captures Coleman’s prose effectively. She keeps listeners attuned during long paragraphs of detailed information but also switches to live or chat-based conversation and infuse the relevant emotions and tones throughout. Her natural delivery moves effortlessly through the prose that she sounds as familiar with the text as an author reading her own words. A Verso paperback.