Super Short Summary

Permanent Record by Edward Snowden, released in 2019, is his memoir detailing his journey from a tech-obsessed youth to a CIA and NSA contractor who becomes a world-famous whistleblower in 2013, revealing the extensive and secret surveillance of American citizens by intelligence agencies. He navigates a complex professional and personal life, culminating in his exile to Russia where he continues advocating for privacy rights. The memoir includes topics related to governmental surveillance, privacy issues, and geopolitical asylum, along with personal challenges such as mental health struggles.