Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz Summary
Overview of Orphan X
Evan Smoak, the government's deadliest weapon turned vigilante, answers desperate calls for help as "The Nowhere Man." This instant international bestseller - published in 24 languages and optioned by Bradley Cooper - is what Robert Crais called "the most exciting thriller since THE BOURNE IDENTITY."
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Key takeaways
The Ghost Who Walks Among Us
Imagine a man who can disappear in plain sight, who possesses lethal skills honed since childhood, yet uses them only to help those who have nowhere else to turn. This is Evan Smoak, codenamed Orphan X-a modern knight errant operating in the shadows of our world. Taken from East Baltimore at age twelve, Evan was molded into the perfect weapon through a classified government initiative called the Orphan Program. Unlike other operatives, Evan retained his humanity thanks to his handler Jack Johns, who taught him that the hardest part wasn't becoming lethal-it was staying human. Now, years after breaking from his government handlers, Evan operates as the Nowhere Man, offering his deadly skills to those in desperate need. When people call his special number (1-855-2-NOWHERE), they reach a man who will stop at nothing to protect them. But as Evan's past catches up with him, he discovers that the hunter has become the hunted, and the skills that kept him alive may not be enough to save him this time.
The Making of a Protector
The Fortress and the Mission
When Worlds Collide
The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
Ghosts of the Past and Present
The Choice to Remain Human
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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