This book is a collection of interviews conducted by Marie Lebert during a pivotal three-year window. It's not a single narrative but a chorus of voices from librarians, technologists, writers, and activists who were wrestling with the internet's explosive growth. The "plot" is the birth of our digital age, told through the hopes, fears, and practical challenges of those on the front lines.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this special is its immediacy. Reading these conversations feels like being in the room. You hear the excitement about new possibilities—like digital libraries and free knowledge—right alongside the anxiety about technology moving too fast. Lebert lets these pioneers speak for themselves, so you get a real sense of their personalities and passion. It's a powerful reminder that our online world wasn't built by faceless corporations, but by real people with big ideas.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone curious about how the internet came to be, especially if you prefer human stories over dry technical manuals. It's a must-read for digital historians, librarians, and anyone who remembers the dial-up sound. But it's also surprisingly relevant for modern readers wondering how we got here and where we might go next. This book connects the dots between then and now in a way that feels personal and urgent.