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American Kingpin
By Nick Bilton
Archival Summary & Scope
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. Nick Bilton chronicles the true story of Ross Ulbricht, the 26-year-old libertarian programmer who built the Dark Web's infamous Silk Road. This clandestine online marketplace facilitated the anonymous trade of illegal goods—from drugs to forged passports—and grew into a $1.2 billion enterprise. Operating as "Dread Pirate Roberts," Ulbricht became the target of a two-year federal manhunt. As his empire expanded, he took drastic measures to protect it, including ordering a hit on a former employee. Drawing on exclusive access and Ulbricht's digital footprint, Bilton exposes the stunning rise and fall of this digital kingpin, exploring the clash between digital libertarianism and government control.Categorization Notes
This literature has been indexed in the Read For Truth database under the primary pillar of True Crime. It is cataloged here based on its relevance to established secondary research, thematic focus, and educational utility within this specific taxonomy.
