On December 1, 2012, I received my first communication from Edward Snowden, although I had no idea at the time that it was from him.
-- Glenn Greenwald (Chapter 1)

Importance: This quote begins the book and begins to establish the relationship between the writer and Snowden.

Cincinnatus’ then referenced the sex scandal of General David Petraeus, whose career-ending extramarital affair with journalist Paula Broadwell was discovered when investigators found Google emails between the two.
-- Glenn Greenwald (Chapter 1)

Importance: This quote discusses the need for encrypted emails in discussing private or highly sensitive matters.

Laura then pulled several pages out of her purse from two of the emails sent by the anonymous leaker, and I read them at the table from start to finish. They were riveting.
-- Glenn Greenwald (Chapter 1)

Importance: This is the first time Greenwald reads anything of significance from Snowden.

I still didn’t know why he was in Hong Kong but assumed by this point that he had gone there to hide...
-- Glenn Greenwald (Chapter 2)