Hacker, Hoaxer, Whistleblower, Spy: The Many Faces of Anonymous

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. (Jan.)