This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends by Nicole Perlroth Summary
Overview of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends
Nicole Perlroth's New York Times bestseller exposes the terrifying cyberweapons market threatening global security. Winner of 2021's FT Business Book Award, it's what Kara Swisher calls "100% gripping" - a chilling revelation that even hardened security experts can't put down.
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Key takeaways
A Digital Weapon More Dangerous Than Nuclear Bombs
What if the greatest threat to national security wasn't a mushroom cloud, but a few lines of code? While politicians debate border walls and military budgets, an invisible arms race has been unfolding in the shadows-one that makes nuclear weapons look almost quaint by comparison. Unlike missiles that require massive infrastructure and leave obvious traces, digital weapons can be deployed from a laptop in a Moscow apartment, causing billions in damage while leaving almost no fingerprints. The most unsettling part? The United States government helped create this monster, building a thriving marketplace for software vulnerabilities that has now spiraled completely beyond its control. Every smartphone in your pocket, every hospital network, every power grid-all potential targets in a war most Americans don't even know is happening. The transformation from basement hacking to billion-dollar industry happened almost by accident, but the consequences are devastatingly real.
How Hacking Became a Billion-Dollar Business and the Mercenaries Who Profit
The NSA's Secret Internet Takeover
The First Digital Weapon of Mass Destruction
Silicon Valley Fights Back
When America's Weapons Turned Against Us
What We Must Do Now
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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