American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road

How does Nick Bilton’s dual narrative in American Kingpin, which alternates between Ross Ulbricht’s creation of the Silk Road and the law enforcement manhunt, generate dramatic irony and develop the book’s central themes?

Examine the evolution of Ross’s libertarianism. At what specific points does his ideology shift from a guiding principle to a self-serving justification for criminal acts, and what internal and external pressures catalyze this transformation?

Discuss the role of technology as both a shield and a vulnerability for Ross. How does Bilton use technical details, such as the partitioned hard drive and the server name “Frosty,” as concrete metaphors for Ross’s psychological state and ultimate downfall?