B.W.'s Book Report: Little Brother

I couldn't put down Cory Doctorow's Little Brother to save my soul. I have been tinkering with a collection of thoughts called Refuse to Be Afraid, and it turns out that Doctorow has already taken most of those thoughts and converted them into a page-turning thriller of a glimpse into our possible near-term future.

Four geeky 17-year-old friends are playing an intriguing Wi-Fi game when a horrendous terrorist incident goes off in San Francisco. Our main hero ends up spending some time in a dark custody that opens his eyes to the ways fear has converted many of our countrymen and -women into a form of terrorist themselves. He finds himself engaging in activity that could land him back in custody, but freedom has become more important than his personal safety and security.

This is An Important Book, but it's also beaucoup entertaining. As I said at the outset, I couldn't put it down. I knew I wanted to get up before dawn this morning to write, but I had to finish reading the book first, which brought me close to midnight. It was time well spent.

This one goes on my short list of essential reading. If you want to see where the US of A is heading — if we're not there already — read this book. Now, if not sooner.