There are many interesting books about whistleblowers. Let’s look at some amazing stories about these brave heroes who don't always get the credit they deserve. In a world full of big business and political scandals, whistleblowers have become super important agents of truth and honesty.
The books were written in various circumstances. In some cases, the authors wanted to sum up their investigative work and all the insights they got when they were the first contact point with whistleblowers. Other books are autobiographies or are written by whistleblowers and offer firsthand accounts of their experiences. Finally, the rest is literary fiction; however, problems described in their plot are plausible or even inspired by real events.
Most of the presented books became an inspiration for many whistleblowing movies.
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup - John Carreyrou
Rating 4.5/5
“Bad Blood” reveals the rise and fall of Theranos, a once highly valued startup led by CEO Elizabeth Holmes. The woman deceived investors, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials, patients and employees with promises of revolutionary blood testing technology that actually never worked as expected. Journalist John Carreyrou exposed the fraud, despite threats and pressure from Holmes and her lawyers. By 2017, the value of Theranos reached zero, and Holmes was indicted. The story serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of Silicon Valley's gold-rush frenzy and unfulfilled promises.
pl_“Surely, no one suspected a lie that big. The fundamental premise “was to help people, and not to harm them,”(...). Yet another explanation is the gilt-edged and magical status that society confers on Silicon Valley, as a place where fantasies come true.”pl_
Roger Lowenstein, “Bad Blood” Review, The New York Times, 2018-05-21
The Panama Papers: Breaking the Story of How the Rich and Powerful Hide Their Money - Bastian Obermayer, Frederik Obermaier
Rating 4/5
Bastian Obermayer and Frederik Obermaier from “Süddeutsche Zeitung” confronted themselves with the largest data leak in history related to the private money of the rich. They collaborated with a global network of journalists to investigate the super scandal of Panama Papers. The authors revealed a hidden network of the Mossack Fonseca legal offices and European leaders, international dictators, aristocrats, royals and celebrities. They kept cooperating for decades to hide the money belonging to the super-rich elite and avoid paying taxes.
“The Panama Papers” is based on a true-life story and confirms the existence of a privileged group who expects to live above the rules.
The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man - Luke Harding
Rating 4/5
"The Snowden Files" by Luke Harding tells the story of Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who leaked classified information about global surveillance programs. The author provides a detailed background of how Snowden became the most famous whistleblower, also in reference to the character's life. The book also covers his journey to seek asylum.
Harding does a great job of simplifying complicated topics and explaining the importance of the revelations revealed by Snowden in a way that anyone can understand. The book is well-researched, and the author's journalistic background adds credibility to the narrative.
"The Snowden Files" is an informative and thrilling read for anyone interested in learning more about the hidden world of government surveillance. The book helps to understand the importance of privacy and the role the digital age plays in monitoring citizens' activities by those in power.
Time of the Octopus - Anatoly Kucherena
Rating 4/5
"Time of the Octopus" follows the story of a character inspired by Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who disclosed confidential data regarding citizens’ monitoring.
In the book, the US intelligence officer Joshua Kold finds himself trapped in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport after exposing the vast extent of covert American global surveillance operations. Kolt is questioned by a Moscow lawyer in a secret bunker about his motivations, as the character's fate hangs in the balance.
The novel is written by Anatoly Kucherena, the Russian lawyer representing Edward Snowden. It is based on interviews which Kucherena made with Snowden. The story explores the struggle between the forces of oppression and the courage of whistleblowers. It questions whether Kold is a traitor or a hero fighting against a global tyranny reminiscent of “1984” by George Orwell.
"Time of the Octopus" served as the basis for the movie "Snowden" by Oliver Stone.
Permanent Record - Edward Snowden
Rating 5/5
"Permanent Record" is about and by Edward Snowden. The book shares his childhood, life and work at the CIA and NSA. It allows the readers to know the motivation of Snowden, which led him to expose the US government's spying on people and to become a whistleblower. It's an interesting story that tells about the lack of freedom from interference in the epoch of technology.
pl_“My name is Edward Joseph Snowden. I used to work for the government. Now I work for the public.”pl_
Edward Snowden, “Permanent Record”, 2019
WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy - David Leigh, Luke Harding
Rating 4/5
"Wikileaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy" by David Leigh and Luke Harding is a gripping account of the genesis and role of the controversial organization WikiLeaks. The book delves into the life of its enigmatic founder, Julian Assange, and his relentless pursuit of transparency and truth. The book, along with other sources, was adapted for the 2013 movie “The Fifth Estate”.
Through interviews, investigative journalism, and previously unpublished documents, the authors unveil the inner workings of WikiLeaks, as well as the broader implications of the information it has exposed. This compelling narrative captures the high-stakes world of whistleblowing and raises important questions about privacy, government secrecy, and the role of technology in the modern era.
Many controversies arose around "Wikileaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy" as Wikileaks provided The Guardian with the names of informants and other sensitive information that was not intended for publication. This sensitive data was password protected; however, Leigh published this password in the book, and all the information became available to everyone. It is assumed that because of this disclosure, many informants of WikiLeaks died.
Assange wrote down on a scrap of paper: CollectionOfHistorySince_1966_ToThe_PresentDay#. "That's the password," he said. "But you have to add one extra word when you type it in. You have to put in the word 'Diplomatic' before the word 'History'. Can you remember that?"
Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof, and Lethal: The Hidden Dangers of C8 - Callie Lyons
Rating 4.5/5
The book tells about C8 - a chemical compound manufactured by DuPont. Although it is used in numerous stain-resistant consumer products, C8 has been labeled a likely carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and linked to various health issues.
In 2002, residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley discovered C8 in their water supplies as a result of emissions from a nearby DuPont plant. This led to a multi-agency review by the EPA and, in 2005, a $200 million settlement between DuPont and the affected communities. The story of C8's dangers emerged when a West Virginia family's cattle died from a mysterious disease after DuPont dumped C8 in a landfill near their farm. This chemical has now spread to twelve states and can be found in the blood of millions of people worldwide. The EPA has called for a global phase-out of C8.
The book is a reporter's summary of the history and legal battle of this chemical. It is filled with scientific details and explanations.
The Whistleblower - Kathryn Bolkovac, Cari Lynn
Rating 5/5
"The Whistleblower" shares the shocking story of human rights abuses by American mercenary soldiers abroad.
It is written by Kathryn Bolkovac, a police officer and mother from Nebraska. She was sent to postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina as a contractor of a private military company DynCorp International. In Bosnia, she was supposed to work on human rights investigations and led a team focused on women's issues. After arriving, Bolkovac discovered that the United Nations officers were involved in human trafficking and forced prostitution. It was also linked with hired soldiers, the UN, and the U.S. government.
The author reveals many irregularities and degenerate behavior that she witnessed during her stay on the mission. The book evokes great emotions as Bolkovac describes many brutal behaviors that women - victims of human trafficking were subjected to. She shows that the perpetrators of these dramatic events are unpunished and bear no responsibility.
Despite the danger, Bolkovac gathered the necessary pieces of evidence and eventually won a lawsuit against DynCorp. This book tells her brave story and the fight for justice for the women involved.
The Informant: A True Story - Kurt Eichenwald
Rating 4.5/5
"The Informant" by Kurt Eichenwald is a true-crime thriller that delves into the largest price-fixing scandal in American history involving agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). The book focuses on the complex story of Mark Whitacre, an executive-turned-informant, offering an insider's look into the FBI's investigation. The masterful storytelling of Eichenwald brings to life the web of lies, betrayals, and high-stakes negotiations that defined the case.
The author paints a vivid portrait of Whitacre, a brilliant yet deeply flawed individual whose cooperation proved challenging. The narrative unravels the character of Whitacre, revealing the psychological and emotional complexities driving his actions. Readers find themselves questioning the motives of not only the whistleblower but also the FBI agents, executives, and the legal system.
The book is engaging, filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on edge. The great attention to detail and suspenseful storytelling by Eichenwald makes "The Informant" a must-read for those interested in corporate crime and whistleblowers.
Class Action: The Landmark Case that Changed Sexual Harassment Law - Clara Bingham and Laura Leedy Gansler
Rating 4/5
"Class Action" by Clara Bingham and Laura Leedy Gansler, tells the true story of Lois Jenson. She was a single mother who, along with other women, endured severe sexual harassment at an iron mine in northern Minnesota.
Jenson, initially enticed by the high pay, took a job at the male-dominated mine. There, she faced relentless harassment. What is more, the company keeps ignoring her pleas for help. Over 25 years, Jenson fought for justice, sacrificing her physical and mental health. With the support of other women miners and a top-notch legal team, she ultimately prevailed. Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines, the first sexual harassment class-action lawsuit in the United States, changed the legal landscape and the lives of the women involved.
Bingham and Gansler present the emotional and psychological costs of waging even the most successful and justified lawsuits, highlighting the importance of this case as a part of every woman's legacy.
pl_“Brilliantly reported, documented, and written…Protagonist Lois Jenson, a worker in a Minnesota mine, is the real Erin Brockovich. Her war is not only that of every woman but of every citizen.”pl_
Bob Woodward, author of “All the President’s Men”
