Terminal Compromise

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79

Title

Terminal Compromise

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A high-tech thriller by Winn Schwartau, Terminal Compromise explores the invasion of the United States by computer terrorists. Blending international intrigue with complex technology, the novel examines the dangers of interconnectedness and the risks to America's privacy and democratic ideals. Fast-paced and gripping, it offers a chilling look at potential catastrophic scenarios in the Electronic Age.

Summary up to 500 words

Winn Schwartau's *Terminal Compromise* presents a chilling vision of the future where digital infrastructure becomes the primary battlefield for global conflict. The narrative centers on Taki Homosoto, the vengeful chairman of Japan's OSO Industries, who seeks to destroy the United States in retaliation for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Homosoto orchestrates a sophisticated cyber-attack designed to cripple the American techno-economic infrastructure, targeting critical software like DGraph to crash Wall Street and shut down major corporations such as Ford and Chrysler. The story follows Miles Foster, a brilliant but disillusioned mathematician working for Homosoto, who struggles with his complicity in the conspiracy. His personal life is further complicated by his relationship with Perky, whom he attempts to protect from the truth of his employer's murderous nature. The plot thickens with the assassination of Pierre Troubleaux, a charismatic French billionaire, during a U.S. Senate hearing. Foster is forced to rationalize the killing as a "necessary evil" to maintain the secrecy of the operation, a decision that haunts him. Investigative journalist Scott Mason and FBI agent Tyrone Duncan serve as the protagonists navigating this high-stakes crisis. Mason, having sold high-tech toys to the Pentagon, uncovers the depth of the conspiracy, while Duncan bridges the gap between government agencies and the public. As the attack unfolds across Tokyo, Vienna, Paris, and Iraq, the novel explores the fragility of the New World Order and the ethical dilemmas surrounding privacy and technology. The book balances technical details of computer warfare with intense human drama, portraying a struggle where the most valuable assets are digital, threatening the very fabric of American democracy. Ultimately, the novel serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for catastrophic cyber-terrorism and the moral compromises required to protect national security.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg79.epub

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2026-06-30 11:13 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Politics
• Computer Security
• Privacy