EFF's longtime friend and sometimes client Avi Rubin has written a terrific book about his adventures in e-voting. I admit that I'm not a particularly objective reviewer, since both EFF and I personally were deeply involved in the events in the book and Avi treats us both as heros. But Brave New Ballot is a great read (or gift) for anyone looking for an enjoyable, easy way to get up to speed on this critical issue.

By focusing on his experiences as a computer scientist turned reluctant activist, Rubin brings to life the sometimes dry science of computer security and voting machine technology. Brave New Ballot is a story told in Rubin's own voice and from his own eyes, not a distanced academic analysis or historical account. Rubin tells of how electronic voting went from an academic curiosity to nearly an obsession and a full-time job for him. Once he realized the serious problems with the voting systems being sold in the wake of the ?butterfly ballot? debacle in 2000, he took action to protect our elections. He is an honest storyteller, not shirking from describing his errors as well as his triumphs.

Bravo, Avi. I hope your work spurs others, scientists or not, to get involved in this critical area.