Permanent Record

Edward Snowden risked everything to expose the US government's system of mass surveillance. Now he tells his story. "My name is Edward Snowden. You are holding this book because I did something that is very dangerous for a man in my position: I decided to tell the truth." At 29, Edward Snowden shocked the world: As a data specialist and whistleblower for the NSA and CIA, he revealed that the US government secretly aims to monitor every call, every text message, and every email. The result would be an unprecedented system of mass surveillance capable of scrutinizing the private lives of every individual on the planet. Edward Snowden makes a momentous decision: he makes the secret plans public. In doing so, he gives up his entire previous life. He knows that he may never see his family, his homeland, and the woman he loves again. A young man who grew up online. Who becomes a spy, a whistleblower, and ultimately the conscience of the internet. Now Edward Snowden tells his story himself. This book encapsulates the most important conflict of our time: What do we accept – and where must we begin to resist?.