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Hacker Cracker: A Journey from the Mean Streets of Brooklyn to the Frontiers of Cyberspace
Presents the startling, personal story a young ghetto kid from Brooklyn who became one of the world's foremost computer hackers and then, a security specialist for one of the world's top financial firms. 50,000 first printing.
- GenresNonfictionHackersMemoir
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 20, 2009
As the full title suggests, Ejovi Nuwere's Hacker Cracker: A Journey from the Mean Streets of Brooklyn to the Frontiers of Cyberspace is a coming of age story of a boy as he physically, emotionally and intellectually matures. He witnesses his mother slowly succumb to AIDS related complications, battles with the inner city street gangs, deals with family drama, and yields to unrelenting peer pressure. At one point in his young life, he attempts suicide and spends time in a mental ward. He shares his childhood life stories and admits how his first introduction to hacking was that on the side of wrongdoing (soliciting credit card numbers from unsuspecting online users). Through a twist of fate, he applies his skills toward good and goes legit in the field of computer security.
This story is an autobiography, however because the author is so young, the book spends a great deal of time discussing his days as an outcast in high school and his adventures in the different hacking groups and online communities. Although his computing exploits may be interesting to the "techies" of the world, I fear that lay people will struggle to retain interest during those sections of the book. More importantly, I think this novel is a testament to a man who could have easily fallen victim to his circumstances. He was/is largely self-taught and chose to use his intellect and street smarts to capitalize on his programming skills. This book is an inspirational read for young people as it demonstrates that alternatives and opportunities exist everywhere---one just has to be open and willing to consider the possibilities.
This story is an autobiography, however because the author is so young, the book spends a great deal of time discussing his days as an outcast in high school and his adventures in the different hacking groups and online communities. Although his computing exploits may be interesting to the "techies" of the world, I fear that lay people will struggle to retain interest during those sections of the book. More importantly, I think this novel is a testament to a man who could have easily fallen victim to his circumstances. He was/is largely self-taught and chose to use his intellect and street smarts to capitalize on his programming skills. This book is an inspirational read for young people as it demonstrates that alternatives and opportunities exist everywhere---one just has to be open and willing to consider the possibilities.
April 17, 2008
A nice but all-too-brief glimpse into the hacking world. I'm not sure why this book was shelved near the computer textbooks in the library as it is far more autobiographical than technical. A good chunk of the book is filled with Ejovi's descriptions of his moves during gang fights. Why would the reader care how many times he punched a certain guy in a certain fight while he was growing up? Despite its shortcomings, this book was pleasant to read. But if you're looking for a book on computer security, look elsewhere.
January 14, 2020
This was cute. Obviously a way different intro to tech story than mine. I was a little thrown off when I saw how long ago this was written, because it means it was written while the protagonist was still quite young. The 9/11 chapter at the end was a weird note to end on. Still fun to read.
February 19, 2017
Great book
September 14, 2011
Maybe I liked this cause I always wanted to learn how to hack and never did, but Nuwere's voice is also simply very engaging. You feel like he's talking to you, explaining things as you get that funny look on your face that says you don't understand. He's had a incredible life, doing what he wants and coming a long way so I can't help but be slightly jealous. But while his journey is interesting, the book fails to come to a conclusion. I think it does in his head, but I can't follow it. Granted, he's really young, only 22? 23? when this was published so it's quite possible his tale is one of those that's focused on the journey. But I still found the end a little off and random. Regardless, I did really like this book. I'm a huge sci-fi fan and to read something with those elements that didn't get scornful looks from those who believe I should read classic, whom classic lovers even picked up and read the back of, made me feel like a smart reader.
July 23, 2007
This is an autobiography about a kid growing up in poverty and teaching himself computer skills to become a skilled computer security expert.
It's like a true life version of the movie Hackers without Angelina Jolie and all the stupid bogus movie hacking stuff.
I do not know if this story is true. There is quite a bit of stuff in the book that makes me skeptical. However, that could be details that were just glossed over to make the book more interesting for non technically inclined readers.
Regardless, the book is a very enjoyable and entertaining read. The author/subject of the book Ejovi is a highly actualized person even if he accomplished only a fraction of the things he claims to have.
It's like a true life version of the movie Hackers without Angelina Jolie and all the stupid bogus movie hacking stuff.
I do not know if this story is true. There is quite a bit of stuff in the book that makes me skeptical. However, that could be details that were just glossed over to make the book more interesting for non technically inclined readers.
Regardless, the book is a very enjoyable and entertaining read. The author/subject of the book Ejovi is a highly actualized person even if he accomplished only a fraction of the things he claims to have.
August 5, 2008
An interesting tale of a young boy from the dark streets of New York City, who starts out as a dark-side-hacker but slowly turns around to wear a white-hat. I grew up near some dark streets of New York City, and also wound up wearing a white-hat in the same field. His Journey was rougher than mine, and I liked how he tell about his life unfolding. I could visualize the scenes, and felt a real coonection.
January 13, 2012
This book was very good.It started off kinda weird but once i gave it a chance i really got into it. This book really has allot to do with day to day problems that everyone goes through which makes this book even better.I would recommend this book for just about every teenage boy. Has everything from fights to family problems. I really think this book could help some people to handle certain situations that they are having problems with.
September 16, 2016
This book was pretty good in my opinion. It is very descriptive about the conditions they live in. I like that it is easy to read, as in the context was written well and also simple. One thing I did not like about the book is that there was far more inappropriate language then i thought there would be. I do like how it was a true story and how it was so realistic. Overall, for me this book was very good.
January 9, 2008
ejovi said he went to asia to meet some hackers there. he said he went to indonesia also...i wonder if that is true...i like the quote from the speech about black and white men, with analogy of a pool game...i think that is pretty cool..
October 16, 2012
This memoir is a little bit of hacking, martial arts and growing up on the streets of Brooklyn. Nuwere's life story is entertaining although he at times comes across as a bit arrogant. He held my attention the whole way through, but this is not a book I will read again.
June 9, 2007
The true story of a street kid who becomes a hacker, a strange enough concept that it grabbed my attention and got me reading. A definate good read.
June 2, 2008
Wanted to give it a four because it an enjoyable, fast read, but as I think about content and style it really on deserves a three.
January 12, 2009
Entertaining read, but not exactly a good book.
January 19, 2009
It was good - nice to see ideas and assumptions about technology broken down.
February 3, 2011
I enjoyed this book.
November 13, 2012
fascinating lesson in a black man's rise from a horrible environment, culture class, and giftedness.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews