Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs

Why people recommend it

Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs by Kerry Howley is a riveting investigation into the modern surveillance state, government secrecy, and the extraordinary case of intelligence contractor Reality Winner. On The Ezra Klein Show, Radley Balko recommended the book as his final recommendation, praising the work of his former colleague and describing how it thoroughly examines the evolution of the national intelligence community and the specific trials faced by Reality Winner. On The Book Review podcast, Gilbert Cruz engaged in a detailed discussion about the book with Jen Szalai, giving her the platform to talk extensively about Howley's work. Szalai and Cruz discussed the compelling nature of the narrative, praising its dark humor, its sharp analytical depth, and its ability to humanize the complex, high-stakes world of modern state surveillance and whistleblowing. Both mentions emphasized the book's vital role in shedding light on the opaque mechanisms of national security and the heavy personal costs borne by individuals caught within the machinery of the state. The title has earned high praise from critics and journalists alike for its meticulous reporting, narrative flair, and chilling portrayal of privacy, digital footprints, and institutional power in the twenty-first century.