The first three books in this series, Stealing the Network: How to Own the Box, Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent, and Stealing the Network: How to Own an Identity, have become classics in the Hacker and Infosec communities because of their chillingly realistic depictions of criminal hacking techniques and strategies. In Stealing the Network: How to Own a Shadow, Knuth, the master-mind from previous books, is tracked across the world and the Web by cyber adversaries with skill to match his own.

From the Diary of Robert Knoll, Senior My son is now here with me. I cannot yet reveal everything to him; he wouldn't understand. Eventually he will come to accept what is his by right and inheritance, but until then, I must be careful how he is treated. Every man wants his work, women, and indulgences. Great men are not complete without a great work. To accomplish a great work, a man should be free from mundane worries. He should have a woman who will support his work and understand his needs. I have arranged to supply Bobby with all of these things. I know the work that will engage and satisfy him. I have a woman for him who will discover and fulfill his desires. He will not have to worry about clothing, food, or shelter. Those will all be supplied. As a practical matter, my direct involvement must be minimal. My constant presence would only hinder his concentration. It would only give him opportunities to question, to doubt. He seems willing to believe my carefully crafted fiction about why I have relocated to Costa Rica. It is important that he not lose faith in me. He needs time to understand his place as a ruler over people. The casino is not only a cover story; the business should prove very profitable and further build our estate. It is a form of slavery. But even a great man must endure a period of training and humility before he ascends to inherit the kingdom of his father.