"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase safety," stated Benjamin Franklin in 1759, "deserve neither liberty nor safety." Unfortunately, in today's climate of fear, the government, the media and plenty of other American citizens see things differently. If you are not willing to accept "some restrictions in civil liberties to guarantee security," (as Tom Brokaw and others have phrased it), this book is essential reading. In it, Michael Chesbro shares hundreds of simple but effective measures you can take - short of armed revolution - to preserve your privacy and sovereignty in the face of Big Brother run amok. By being aware of the various threats to financial privacy, computer and online security, private communications, home security and more, and by employing these techniques to combat them, you can protect yourself from rogue government agents and meddling bureaucracies as well as nosy neighbors, prying family members, identity thieves, stalkers, solicitors and other enemies of privacy and personal liberty.

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I am very concerned with my personal privacy and since I started using the techniques taught in the Privacy Handbook I have stopped getting telemarketing calls. I have stopped getting junk mail and e-mail spam. I have set up a private communications network to talk with my friends, and more.... all based on this book.

The author (Michael Chesbro) is some kind of a former government "spook" and seems to have direct insight and hand-on experience and knowledge of things like Carnivore and other government surveillance programs.

The Privacy Handbook is an absolute must for the privacy-minded individual!

12 of 13 found the following review helpful:

Privacy Techniques That Really Work!Dec 26, 2005
By F.G. Ruff
I bought this book about a year ago, and started applying many of the techniques recommended by Mr. Chesbro. In short... these techniques work and they work very well!

I no longer get annoying calls from telemarketers - haven't had a call in months.

Most of the "junk mail" has disappeared from my mailbox.

I was even able to avoid paying some fees assessed by my city by following Mr. Chesbro's advice to ask the government about their authority to assess those fees in the first place (the city admitted to having made a mistake once they looked into my challenge).

Other things in "The Privacy Handbook" such as improving the physical security of my home, or buying a paper shredder to keep an identity thief from gathering information about me from my trash also make me feel safer and more secure in my personal life.

I have followed may of the steps recommended for improving security of my finances and bank accounts, and have greater peace of mind regarding my financial privacy now.

There are many other things in the book, such as ways to encrypt email and secure telephone conversations, which I don't use, but which would certainly be of use to anyone who does business online or needs to talk about sensitive matters on the telephone.

I read in another review of this book that some of the techniques will "attract attention". This may be true if you are some kind of a criminal or low-life scum trying to hide your crimes and perversions. However, if you are an honest, hard-working man or woman who wants more privacy in their life, and wants the right to be left alone - this book is for you.

"The Privacy Handbook" teaches techniques that really work! Highly Recommended Based On My Personal Experience With What Is Taught In This Book!!!

27 of 40 found the following review helpful:

A few good ideas - some VERY BAD ideasSep 19, 2004
By Mike Donovan
This book is about personal PRIVACY. Unfortunately, Mr. Chesbro advocates things in this book that will ATTRACT attention. Many of his ideas are okay and can help maintain a low-level of personal privacy. However, he goes off on anti-government tangents and advocates things like questioning governmental authority. In fact, on page 209, Mr. Chesbro writes, "Whenever confronted with a government regulation, policy, or agency requirement, the first question you should always ask is, "What gives you the authority to require me to do this (or prohibit me from doing this)?" The book is loaded with ideas to confront the government and "stand up for liberty." Well, that's all fine and good, but NOT for a book called, "The Privacy Handbook." Coming across as an anti-government rebel with a cause is the BEST way to get the spotlight ON you - not off. In too many cases, Mr. Chesbro recommends doing things that would do nothing more than flag you as one to watch and offer you LESS - not more - privacy. Better book - by far - is J.J. Luna's "How To Be Invisible." I was VERY disappointed with "The Privacy Handbook."