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John McAfee's Last Stand
There was always something unusual about John McAfee. The tech entrepreneur made a fortune from the antivirus software that bears his name, but he also spent years as a cocaine addict, spiritual guru and yoga expert. In 2009, after losing millions in the stock market crash, he decided to retire to the tiny Central American nation of Belize. That's when things really got weird. He started hanging out with killers, prostitutes, and pimps. He fell in love with a 17-year-old and surrounded his tropical compound with armed guards. In November 2012 his neighbor was found murdered. McAfee, who professed his innocence, fled the police and went into hiding.
WIRED's Joshua Davis had months of exclusive access to McAfee before his disappearance and was virtually the only journalist McAfee had contact with when he went on the lam. In this fascinating profile, Davis takes readers into McAfee's heart of darkness, a harrowing and jaw-dropping tale of ambition, paranoia, sex, and madness.
From:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A...
WIRED's Joshua Davis had months of exclusive access to McAfee before his disappearance and was virtually the only journalist McAfee had contact with when he went on the lam. In this fascinating profile, Davis takes readers into McAfee's heart of darkness, a harrowing and jaw-dropping tale of ambition, paranoia, sex, and madness.
From:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A...
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2012
30 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Davis
70 books42 followersJoshua Davis is an American writer, film producer and co-founder of Epic Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 30, 2012
If this was fiction, I would scream bloody genius. If this was a hundred percent truth also, but I'd worship McAfee instead of worshipping Joshua Davis. Reality though it somewhere in between. I am ready to believe that John McAfee has crumbled upon the weight of his own fortune and power, but some of these chapters are so over-the-top, it's hard to believe McAfee would ever have come out alive. You can't live this life at that age and walk away unscathed every time.
There is a crazy, broken down millionnaire, but there is also an ambitious writer, looking to create a legend (and succeeding). I took it with a grain of salt and was thoroughly entertained. As pulp fiction, this is absolute genius. If Joshua Davis is looking to make big bucks, he should let his imagination run wild and write a full-blown John McAfee novel...and call it a novel. Because he's great at it.
There is a crazy, broken down millionnaire, but there is also an ambitious writer, looking to create a legend (and succeeding). I took it with a grain of salt and was thoroughly entertained. As pulp fiction, this is absolute genius. If Joshua Davis is looking to make big bucks, he should let his imagination run wild and write a full-blown John McAfee novel...and call it a novel. Because he's great at it.
August 2, 2020
Joshua Davis has done a masterly job of attempting to tease out reality from an amazing episode of the trickster's life. McAfee has had many more adventures since this short was written, so this is by no means the last stand.
He is on the run, probably with multiple passports, and is absolutely unable to resist tweaking the noses of the people who want to put him away- which include the U.S. IRS it seems. So he pops up in Iceland, Monserrat to pray for his penis, in Spain for bullfights, with Mr. Epstein raising another whole raft of questions.
If a prostitute or two tries to kill you, what would a paranoid man do? McAfee's solution: live with seven, including the two who tried to kill you. If drugs shatter your world? Do lots more. Overwhelmed by paranoia? Make sure that lots of people are chasing you. Remember Russiagate and Ukrainegate? I'm fairly sure some former associates of McAfee were covering some of the computer angles. I defy anyone to find another public trickster of this scale- John McAfee, you sir, are the business.
He is on the run, probably with multiple passports, and is absolutely unable to resist tweaking the noses of the people who want to put him away- which include the U.S. IRS it seems. So he pops up in Iceland, Monserrat to pray for his penis, in Spain for bullfights, with Mr. Epstein raising another whole raft of questions.
If a prostitute or two tries to kill you, what would a paranoid man do? McAfee's solution: live with seven, including the two who tried to kill you. If drugs shatter your world? Do lots more. Overwhelmed by paranoia? Make sure that lots of people are chasing you. Remember Russiagate and Ukrainegate? I'm fairly sure some former associates of McAfee were covering some of the computer angles. I defy anyone to find another public trickster of this scale- John McAfee, you sir, are the business.
May 19, 2017
Interesting
Really weird sorry. This guy was nuts and I'm surprised he is still alive, if he actually is. He needs help.
Really weird sorry. This guy was nuts and I'm surprised he is still alive, if he actually is. He needs help.
January 18, 2022
Very special book and person. Joshua Davis gave a good insight in the life of John Mcafee and has given me a good picture of his life before 2012. Now 10 years later they could write an updated version because John Mcafee became crazier than ever and died in 2021.
November 22, 2018
Cool story
Interesting and scary. Would make a great movie. Hopefully there will be a follow up at some point because there is more story to tell.
Interesting and scary. Would make a great movie. Hopefully there will be a follow up at some point because there is more story to tell.
December 18, 2012
As someone who has followed this case for around a month now, I found Joshua Davis' "Wired" single to be the best source of information regarding John's background and his history in Belize.
I have been following the story of John's run from the Belizian government since it was first reported that he was wanted for questioning in the murder of his neighbor. The story was full of anecdotes about his eccentric millionaire drug fiend's run form the law... and all of it seemed just crazy enough to be true.
I've read the news stories, I've read McAfee's blog daily, and I've listened to his interviews. Everything he claims is here, but in a much more organized, cohesive fashion. A lot of the details and background information missing from McAfee's statements are present here.
In recent weeks, McAfee has made his disdain for author Joshua Davis clear. It's not, however, because he wrote a story full of lies. McAfee himself has repeated some of the most outrageous stories here. It's because he was led to believe that Davis was writing a story about corruption in the Belizian government and not a "personality" story about McAfee. After meeting the man, I can't imagine how it could have been anything else.
I have been following the story of John's run from the Belizian government since it was first reported that he was wanted for questioning in the murder of his neighbor. The story was full of anecdotes about his eccentric millionaire drug fiend's run form the law... and all of it seemed just crazy enough to be true.
I've read the news stories, I've read McAfee's blog daily, and I've listened to his interviews. Everything he claims is here, but in a much more organized, cohesive fashion. A lot of the details and background information missing from McAfee's statements are present here.
In recent weeks, McAfee has made his disdain for author Joshua Davis clear. It's not, however, because he wrote a story full of lies. McAfee himself has repeated some of the most outrageous stories here. It's because he was led to believe that Davis was writing a story about corruption in the Belizian government and not a "personality" story about McAfee. After meeting the man, I can't imagine how it could have been anything else.
December 20, 2012
Very interesting story about a strange troubled man who developed antivirus software making millions. He became a drug addict and yoga specialist. He lost millions in 2009 during the market crash and moved to his paradise in Belize and became very paranoid. He is currently on the run having been charged with the murder of his neighbor.At this point in time we don't really know if he killed his neighbor. Reading his story you realize the fine line between brilliance and madness. It was a quick enjoyable read.
January 13, 2013
This is, hands down, the craziest story I have ever read, and it's all true. John McAfee has certainly lead an interesting life, and all of his achievements seem to stem from his paranoia - from developing some of the first anti-virus software to trying to become the police in a small town in Belize. A real look into one of the computer world's most interesting character, this is a recommended read!
And if you can't get enough from this story, feel free to follow all the latest drama here: http://www.whoismcafee.com/
January 12, 2017
What a crazy ride
A presumably factual rambling account of the rise and fall of John McAfee. An interesting early mover in the technology industry. What's left entirely unclear is whether or not in addition to his psychoses and drug abuse, was he also a capable technologist or just a huckster.
I think I would've enjoyed this much more if it included some interviews or input from other software developers who worked closely with him.
If nothing else it will leave you with some comfort that money is not everything and indeed not even a reasonable guarantee of happiness.
A presumably factual rambling account of the rise and fall of John McAfee. An interesting early mover in the technology industry. What's left entirely unclear is whether or not in addition to his psychoses and drug abuse, was he also a capable technologist or just a huckster.
I think I would've enjoyed this much more if it included some interviews or input from other software developers who worked closely with him.
If nothing else it will leave you with some comfort that money is not everything and indeed not even a reasonable guarantee of happiness.
March 24, 2013
Brilliantly written. An excellent story and almost gonzo piece of journalism, only prevented by the author's metaphorical yardstick between himself and McAfee's world. Not that you can blame him, even the criminally insane wouldn't want to go any further into this almost real-world heart of darkness than a casual visit.
A very enjoyable read; definitely worth the price of a cup of coffee and the time it would take to drink it.
A very enjoyable read; definitely worth the price of a cup of coffee and the time it would take to drink it.
November 22, 2012
Man, that John McAfee was an interesting man and he clearly had some problems. The 'book' (an Amazon single -longform reporting that is a little longer than can normally fit in a magazine) wells displays McAfee's mental problems and his huckster confidence. The report ends a little too abruptly for my liking.
August 17, 2014
Very interesting Wired article about John McAfee, founder of McAfee anti-virus computer protection. The story reads like a novel but the reality is, this is non-fiction. Some crazy stuff. I'd like to see a follow-up article (maybe there has been one) since the brouhaha with shooting the neighbor's dogs. I haven't heard how that all resolved and where Mr. McAfee is now.
December 28, 2012
This was a very quick read, about 2 hours or so, however it was fascinating. The man is truly crazy! I want to follow the story more as it unfolds and plan to through the author who is still in contact with McAfee as he is on the run. Amazing how such a brilliant mind can snap so completely.
January 2, 2013
Kindle Singles are the most addictive product since the Dorito itself, first of all.
McAfee strikes me as a damaged person, to say the least. This is a page-turning account of a 21st-century Col. Kurtz.
McAfee strikes me as a damaged person, to say the least. This is a page-turning account of a 21st-century Col. Kurtz.
January 6, 2013
A glimpse into John McAfee's rollercoaster life. Who knew that this anti-virus exec was so messed up? It's hard to believe some of what he's told the Joshua Davis since so much is really intense, but it would make a great film.
November 25, 2012
McAfee- a genius indeed, however he seems to prefer living his life in his delusions rather than rejoin reality
November 27, 2012
It reads like the script of an over the top drama sitcom and it's hard to believe its all (mostly) true. Guy sounds off his nut.
December 8, 2012
Obviously, all the money in the world didn't help.... One screwed up man.
January 9, 2013
Paints a good picture of what happens when you have money and have mental issues.
February 9, 2013
Given the subject matter, this could have been a good book, but the writing was poor. It's just a long article that jumps around in an illogical manner.
February 7, 2013
A fascinating account into the live of such an eccentric character.
February 22, 2014
Wow, this is one crazy millionaire
May 16, 2014
John McAfee, is paranoid, 62 and in the Belize jungle.
August 12, 2014
Very light . . . not that good!
July 8, 2015
Crazy!
December 4, 2012
Excellent piece of nonfiction storytelling.
December 30, 2012
This guy is crazy. Good times.
January 30, 2013
Great perspective on John McAfee's bizarre actions.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews