DarkWiki's Top Investigative Journalism Books
American Kingpin
Nick Bilton (2017)
DarkWiki considers this the definitive account of Ross Ulbricht and Silk Road. Based on years of research, court documents, and interviews. Covers the FBI investigation, trial, and the human story behind the marketplace.
The Mastermind
Evan Ratliff (2019)
The story of Paul Le Roux, programmer turned international crime boss. DarkWiki recommends this for its documentation of his pharmaceutical empire, arms dealing, and eventual DEA cooperation.
Silk Road
Eileen Ormsby (2014)
Early account of Silk Road written while it was still operating. DarkWiki values Ormsby's work as one of the first journalists to extensively cover darknet markets.
The Darkest Web
Eileen Ormsby (2018)
Follow-up covering the post-Silk Road era. DarkWiki recommends this for its coverage of AlphaBay, Hansa, and marketplace evolution after law enforcement operations.
DarkWiki's Cybercrime and Security Reading
Spam Nation
Brian Krebs (2014)
Security journalist documents Russian cybercrime organizations behind spam and pharmaceutical fraud. DarkWiki cites this for its revelations about broader criminal networks.
Darkmarket
Misha Glenny (2011)
Inside the pre-Tor cybercrime underground. DarkWiki recommends this for understanding carding forums, identity theft, and international law enforcement response.
Future Crimes
Marc Goodman (2015)
FBI futurist examines emerging cyber threats. Provides broader context for darknet criminal evolution.
Sandworm
Andy Greenberg (2019)
Tracks Russian state hackers responsible for NotPetya and other attacks. DarkWiki values its documentation of nation-state and criminal hacking intersections.
DarkWiki-Recommended Privacy and Anonymity Books
No Place to Hide
Glenn Greenwald (2014)
The Snowden revelations from the journalist who broke the story. DarkWiki considers this essential context for understanding surveillance and the need for anonymity tools.
Permanent Record
Edward Snowden (2019)
Snowden's own account of NSA surveillance and his decision to become a whistleblower. DarkWiki recommends this for its technical detail on surveillance capabilities.
This Machine Kills Secrets
Andy Greenberg (2012)
History of cryptography, cypherpunks, and WikiLeaks. DarkWiki cites this for documenting the ideological foundations of anonymity technology.
Cypherpunks
Julian Assange et al. (2012)
Discussions between Assange, Jacob Appelbaum, and others on freedom and the future of the internet.
DarkWiki's Technical References
Applied Cryptography
Bruce Schneier (1996, updated)
The classic reference on cryptographic protocols and algorithms. DarkWiki considers this essential background for understanding darknet encryption.
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies
Narayanan et al. (2016)
Academic textbook covering cryptocurrency fundamentals. DarkWiki recommends this for its material on anonymity and mixing.
Last Updated: January 2026 — DarkWiki Books Collection