The Dark Net: Inside the Digital Underworld Paperback – May 10, 2016

Excellent book for anyone who wants to learn the history of the "dark" web and the Tor browser, along with some pretty interesting character study pieces. It is VERY fair and balanced reporting, whether he is interviewing highly-skill programmers (cypherpunks) or convicted Paedophiles. He tries to be fair and stays out of the story (unless he is being pulled in front of a live Cam and introduced to hundreds of paying fans of a live three woman orgie (of sorts). It's not graphic — it DOESN'T dwell on disgusting things like Red Rooms or sites such as Animal Nightmares. The thing to remember about this wonderful "dark" (or deep) web is that is a true study in security and a person's right to be able to look at or talk to anyone they want to talk with, without being snooped on by governments and Corporations. ...Or IS it something ELSE? ;-)

The title and subtitle are misleading, but, it's still a good read for those who don't have a deep knowledge in the topics discussed. This book does not provide in-depth technical knowledge, but still provides enough technical background for those who are interested (as I was).The focus of this book is not on the technical aspect of the dark net. It is not about bringing secrets to light. Instead, it is a commentary on the politics, sociology, human behavior, and philosophy surrounding these technologies and subcultures as well as the internet's role in allowing ideas and movements to grow and evolve (or devolve). It's well-written and thought-provoking.

Despite its title being "The Dark Net", don't expect this book to be entirely, or even mostly, about the "darknet", "dark internet", "deep web" or "deepnet". Three of those terms have subtly differing meanings. Websites accessible only with special software, such as the Tor browser (aka the "deep web" or "deepnet"), feature prominently only in one chapter, which focuses on their use in trading illegal drugs.The subtitle, "Inside the Digital Underworld", also seems misleading, as most of the book is not about illegal activity. Personally, the word "underworld" also carries connotations with "inaccessibility", "obscurity", and previously unthought-of lifestyles and subcultures. Disappointingly, there was basically no form of human behaviour here that I wasn't already aware of. I'll give you a rough rundown of the subjects of each chapter from memory and let you decide for yourself:1. A history of flaming and trolling going back to Arpanet, including the practice on 4chan's /b/ board of using the details in posters' nude self-pics to identify them.Some information on the "cypherpunks", a crypto-anarchist group.2. British nationalist and anti-extremist groups creating echo-chambers for themselves on Facebook and infiltrating each-other's management networks.3. Programmers living in an anarchist commune in Barcelona working to improve Bitcoin.Applications for the Bitcoin blockchain idea, such as Twister (decentralized P2P microblogging).Some detail on Satoshi Nakamoto, creator of Bitcoin.4. An unpleasant chapter on a man's descent into pedophilia, going from "teens" to "jailbait" to young girls, and only realizing the severity of his actions once the police called around to his house.Pedophile networks, and the people working to combat them.Some detail on the psychological effects of internet use, such as dis-association.5. Finally, a chapter on Tor-only websites. Describes the author's successful attempt to buy a small amount of cannabis. Looks at their capacity to rapidly adapt to FBI infiltration. The author finds that they are remarkable accessible, easy-to-use, and relatively risk-free.6. The author meets a cam girl as she puts on a show and receives tips from hundreds of viewers.Many viewers compete to be particular cam girl's highest tippers, making friends with them and other viewers.7. Investigates the subjects of pro-anorexia and bulimia web forums, and sites where suicidal people can receive support and advice on how to commit the act. Follows a character named Amelia made up of several sources as she is sucked into the friendly, supportive, yet toxic atmosphere of a pro-anorexia site. She is hospitalized and eventually recovers.8 (Conclusion). Investigates trans-humanist and anarcho-primitavist proponents.A little on the "singularity" concept.Wraps it up by saying that the web doesn't really have depth; everything is only a few clicks away if you know where to look.After the initial disappointment of finding that it wasn't entirely about the hidden web, I was hoping it would take more of an anthropological approach, where the aim would be to shed light on properly obscure off-shoots of human experience, e.g. otherkins, furries, conspiracy theorists, dark magicians, what have you. Instead, it reads like a series of long-form magazine articles like you might pass the time with on a plane journey.Far too much of the material in this book was simply fleshing-out stories I was already familiar with from mainstream newspapers and websites. Reddit's Futurology section, for example, where most of the information to be found in chapter 8 is widely disseminated, is often accessible from the home page and currently has 1.25 million subscribers.I also felt the asking price was too steep for what it is: I paid $16 for this on Kindle. I hope this review prevents others who are now in the position I was a few days ago from making the same mistake.

Eyes wide open, he claims. A book a few years ago about kiddie porn claimed that the author had done everything he could to avoid actually viewing his subject matter. That other author did not want to risk being arrested for possession. Now, contrasting what the Censors will NOT admit, he says "I got used to everything." One immediately wishes this admission would have been placed in the introduction instead of on page 238-9. Inside The Dark Net, he tells a story of going Everywhere and Trying Everything. How jealous should I be? Been there; done that. Except I rarely ever met anyone "in the Real World" like Jamie Bartlett did. Is that also a pseudonym? He brags about immediately--almost--turning pornography over to the Police--after giving it a good going over, naturally, scientifically, for research purposes. I always wondered how I could get a job as an official Censor, kind of like being King. He says that his "intention was never to provide a guide to illegal or immoral activity online." Well, doggonit, I found lots of helpful information on how to be anonymous (but not foolproof, ever), keepout of trouble, and easily get to anything I ever wanted to Investigate. Of course, naturally, scientifically, for research purposes. Heaven Forbid that I would ever do anything....just like what Jamie Bartlett did, via the internet. Now I know how jealous I should be. Or envious. Now, pardon me, I have to get back to Tor Hidden Services. Thanks, Jamie, for providing the latest, tallest, roller-coaster ride, through the tunnels, over the peaks, and down into a sudden splash of wet. I knew it would end. Just had to try it. All other Reviewers are right, in their own minds. Now I wonder how someone else will top this new but familiar ride. Thanks for giving Comfort to the Enemy: I love the statistics that show millions of people get away with just about anything, only a small percentage get caught, and the websites taken down usually just reappear. And new anonymous software is always on the coders' wish lists. (Go to Tor FAQs and slide down to all the problem fixes that are being written, as well as the almost hopeless complexity getting worse each minute.) Is a truly anonymous internet on your Bucket List yet? Talk to your IT person and your CPA. { Added: } I just thought of a possible subtitle: AN ANTHONY BOURDAIN STYLE COOK'S TOUR OF DANTE'S INFERNO, ALL 9 CIRCLES OF HELL, LOVING EVERY INTERVIEW. [ MORE ] I think this would be a wonderful documentary movie ON Blu-ray, so that we could witness all the interviews live and the webcam shows. Where are you, Independents and/or HBO?! It might win an Oscar for Best Picture, at least at that porn movie makers convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hmmm?

A book with depth of cases on dark net. Reading the book enhances grip on concepts. Good effort by the worthy writer.

Well written. A lot of interesting information.

Non si parla della vera e propria Dark Net, ok.Però è decisamente interessante: internet può creare subculture? Si.Come? Scopritelo durante la lettura.

Fue un placer leerlo. Muy interesante y fácil de entender. El mundo del internet es enorme, y Jamie lo va descubriendo.

A great view of the darkest aspects of the depp web as well as the good side of it, a must read.