The Myth of Homeland Security

by Marcus Ranum

"As I write this, I'm sitting in a restaurant in a major U.S. airport, eating my breakfast with a plastic knife and fork. I worked up quite an appetite getting here two hours early and shuffling in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471458791
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Glad to see this book

The Myth of Homeland Security is an excellent debunking of the counter-terrorism security nonsense that we're all being forced to put up with. Marcus has written an honest, straightforward, sensible book. I don't agree with every point he makes, but it's refreshing to read someone who actually takes a stand on the issues and supports his stance with intelligent arguments and not rhetoric. The fact that this book is enjoyable to read is a bonus.

Marcus always makes you think

As the range of opinions in this space suggest, Marcus is the sort of person who inspires a range of intense reactions in people. His book on homeland security will have the same effect -- whether his presentation of the situation offends or amuses, it's sure to make you think.We've all been impacted by the post-9/11 security strategies implemented by the federal Homeland Security initiatives, and we've probably all wondered what good those changes have made. Marcus has gone the extra step here, trying to collect "the real dope" about new laws and requirements and to discuss them in a relatively objective way. He didn't get very far, in most cases, and not for lack of effort. It's an eerie portent of the problems that Americans face in trying to balance the need for protection with the requirement for liberty and privacy.In collecting these questions and answers, Marcus has given us all an outline of how to evaluate the situation individually. He hasn't given us one single simple answer -- there isn't one -- but he's shown readers of all backgrounds a way to think critically about homeland security issues.

Confused about Homeland Security? Read this book.

What a compelling book! Marcus Ranum takes the overwhelming topic of Homeland Security and addresses it in a format that is easy to read and understand. He uses stories, examples and humor to give the reader a snapshot of what Homeland Security is, and what it isn't. Admittedly, not all the issues Ranum discusses are "fixable", but he offers many realistic solutions for improvement. He covers such subjects as daily life under Code Orange, immigration, airline security, intelligence, the media, and computer security.Ranum's expertise comes across with honesty, integrity and wit. We are indeed fortunate to get his timely insight and unique perspective.Very informative, hard to put down--------

Insightful, intelligent, and a real eye opener

In this beautifully written book Ranum presents some very good points about the way we as a country are approaching homeland security. His experience in the information security field combined with his analytical and systematic approach to solving problems leads to some remarkable findings. The frightening terrorist experiences Americans have been through over the past few years have resulted in a distorted view of the organizations protecting our country - they've become our mental "feel safe" crutch. Ranum looks at the security problems our country faces and the current solutions with refreshingly new eyes - avoiding the distortion - and presents some very powerful insight. I wish I learned half this much from every book I read!This book is highly recommended for everyone, but it's a MUST read for one group of people: Americans. Get it, read it. It's one of the most interesting books I've read in a long time. This is definately one you'll be passing on to your friends.

... and the truth shall make you free

Ranum's book is engaging, unsettling, entertaining, and disturbing. Yet, I think it is an accurate assessment of the morass that is "homeland security." MJR may not make any friends in the FBI, INS, or DHS, but as he turns his keen analytical mind towards security issues broader than an area for which he is world-renowned -- computer and network security -- he brings clarity to this seemingly unfathomable topic. Many security practitioners have recognized the "when you don't know what to do, do something" aspect of some homeland security initiatives. Ranum identifies the agencies and actions that shape homeland security, and makes suggestions for change. Warning: Not everything is fixable, and he makes that clear also. But the beginning of any solution is to first recognize the real problems -- the real risks. The next step is to assess what you are already doing. The third is to toss out what is not working, reform what is marginal, and implement what is missing. In this book, Ranum suggests solutions.The security of the US homeland, and all that it entails, affects Americans, certainly, as well as the whole world. Mr. Ranum is a skilled writer and instructor. Never satisfied to merely lecture, he endeavors to "cause one to learn." Though he is famous in a highly technical field, the "techie" as well as the "artsy" will be able to read this book, as Ranum makes the subject matter accessible and -- although the subject matter is "life and death" -- enjoyable.