I was not a brilliant child. Years later, it dawned on me that I fixated on a question of what I guess we would call epistemology. I fantasized about being able to ask someone a question that it seemed no one had the answer to. The question was, “Did O.J. Simpson really do it?” (Give me a break, I was a kid.)

Benjamin Wallace, probably not to be confused with the ornery be-afroed Detroit Piston, carries this fantasy to an admirable extreme. He knows that the odds are against him in his mission to learn who brought Bitcoin into being. Nevertheless, he persisted. Wallace and other journalists determined to unmask “Satoshi Nakamoto” encountered a bizarre resistance from a slice of cryptocurrency enthusiasts who argued that it does not matter who Nakamoto is because he invented such a world-changing product. This is ironic, considering that the philosophy behind cryptocurrency arose out of rationalist email lists and internet fora who would be expected to welcome the pursuit of knowledge.

<I>The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto</I> is advertised as a mystery, and it is. I don’t cross paths often with the kinds of books that necessitate the spoiler tag, so I will forbear to tell you whether the mystery was solved. The chase, in any case, was admirable, and presented with an ideal quantum of author involvement. (I have long given up expecting the reportage of years-long quest such as Wallace’s not to season itself with a couple of “my totally normal, emotionally stable spouse thinks I’m crazy!” anecdotes.)

<I>Mr. Nakamoto</I>’s detail may be more geared to crypto enthusiasts who already know all the characters, but is nevertheless a rewarding primer on Bitcoin. The fact is, no one actually understands this stuff.

I liked this book! It was mysterious and kinda hidden mystery. I liked the premise and I like the way it was written. Overall I enjoyed the themes and storyline and also the pacing of this book

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!