Kindle Culture: Tales of How Amazon's E-Reader is Sparking a Cultural Revolution [Kindle Edition]

Stephen Peters (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

How influential and/or pervasive can the Kindle become? Does it have what it takes to join that exclusive group populated by the likes of the Hula-Hoop, the VW Bug and the iPhone and become the next bona fide cultural icon? Will the term “Kindle” become as ubiquitous in describing e-readers in the future as Band-Aid has for adhesive bandages and Kleenex for facial tissue? And just how effective will the Kindle’s built-in marketing segment of evangelists be in counteracting the latest wave of “Kindle killers” lurking on the horizon? Author Stephen Peters searched far and wide, from coast to coast of what currently constitutes Kindle Country to the far edges of the globe, to find out in his new book "Kindle Culture."

"Kindle Culture" examines the social and cultural aspects of the Kindle through a series of stories about people whose lives have been changed by the popular e-reader, from a woman whose Kindle let her read again after almost ten years to a full-time business professional whose hobby of making Kindle covers has turned into a cottage industry he can't keep up with. Along the way you'll meet newlyweds, members of the clergy, artists, librarians, hackers, bloggers, anti-ereader groups and Kindle-defending celebrities, all with one thing in common--the Amazon Kindle.

Extensive appendices include links to 50 websites of the people featured in "Kindle Culture" and 50 key articles dating from May 11, 2007 to May 4, 2009 that trace the device's history, all accessible from the Kindle (subject to Wi-Fi coverage).

CHAPTER LISTING:
Introduction: Fanning the Flames
Chapter One: The Couple Who Got Married with a Kindle
Chapter Two: The Woman Whose Kindle Let Her Read Again
Chapter Three: The Man Who Built a Summit for His Kindle
Chapter Four: The Girl Who Thought the Kindle was a Piece of Cake
Chapter Five: The Guy Who Sold Kindle Covers Despite Himself
Chapter Six: The Library That Adopted Twin Kindles
Chapter Seven: The Day Oprah Made the Kindle Disappear

Appendix A: Websites
Appendix B: Article Links
Appendix C: Miscellany

108 pages; 19 b&w illustrations
ISBN 978-0-9824474-0-6

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stephen Peters has been writing about popular culture for over 20 years. His stories have appeared in print in the Los Angeles Daily News, Creem Magazine, HITS, Guitar Player, Bam, Venice, Relix and Juxt, and online at CompuServe/AOL, Third Age, MSN, Launch/Yahoo! Music and AT&T. His previous books have been published by Carlton Books and DK Publishing in the UK and Europe and Thunder's Mouth Press in the United States. "Kindle Culture" is his first e-book.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 832 KB
• Print Length: 78 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Arte Intera Press (May 4, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0028N68HG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,908 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #54 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Reference > Words & Language > Readers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, fun romp through Kindle Land, May 6, 2009

By 

Gregg Puhala (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kindle Culture: Tales of How Amazon's E-Reader is Sparking a Cultural Revolution (Kindle Edition)

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book. If you are into the Kindle, ebooks or ereading, you'll get a kick out of this book. For me, Kindle Culture captures what makes a Kindle (and its fast growing, passionate community) so unique and important.

I like to think I'm fairly abreast of Kindle goings on, and many of the stories in Kindle Culture had a warm familiarity that turned into excitement as I read experiences and thoughts from fellow Kindlers, some of whom I've come to know online. To quote Jeff Spicoli in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High": Hey, I know that dude!

Still, many times I found myself thinking "how have i not heard this story before?" The extensive Kindle anecdotes ranged from the sublime (religious texts, weddings) to essence-capturing quotes, such as this from author and fellow Kindler Madison McGraw: "the Kindle is to book lovers what crack is to drug addicts." Indeed.

I think what impressed me most was Peters' dedication to presenting varying points of view, which not suprisingly can be quite polarized. I unabashedly love the Kindle and the community that's growning so fast around it, but I was hoping for more than a Kindle lovefest. I wanted objetivity and Kindle Culture delivered. From personal heart-warming stories, to profitable and unexpected enterprises springing up from the Kindle subculture, to commentary on its place in our history, this book cuts a wide swath.

I highly recommend this fun and insightful read, although its brevity (I read it in one evening - but hey it cost less than a McDonalds Big Mac Meal) definitely left me satisfied yet wanting more, in a good way.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There Will Be A Quiz, But You're Free To Refer Back., May 14, 2009

By 

Michelle R (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kindle Culture: Tales of How Amazon's E-Reader is Sparking a Cultural Revolution (Kindle Edition)

3.5 stars, let's call it.

Someone pointed out this book over at KindleBoards. That person knows the author or the author is on the board, too. Possibly both. I thought I would give it a try. I should be clear in saying that I don't believe I've had any personal interactions with the author.

It's okay, perhaps a little better than okay. It's inexpensive, which is good since it's also short and not without errors, and I found myself skimming occasionally.

Kindle Culture explores the boards, merch, and groups that have sprung up to worship and to profit from The Kindle. There's a certain charm in reading about boards you frequent and people you "know." It's touching to read how the device has helped disabled people who've lost the ability to read traditional books. As a fan of the device, much of this is a vindication, because it's hard not to be touched when you see concrete proof that your e-reader has the power to change lives.

I can even imagine Kindle Culture would be interesting for people who -- gasp -- don't discuss their Kindle, and name their Kindle, and clothed their Kindle to see how the other half (?) lives. (Sorta like being a casual fan of Star Trek and stumbling into a convention to see people wearing the Vulcan ears.)

Speaking of Geek. The author refers to Joss Whedon as Josh, and it near gave me the vapors.

The book is part celebration and part commercial. I have no issue with that latter, but it should be said for potential readers. The author is part of the community he's discussing, which means there are friends to be mentioned and awesome and dubious items alike to be advertised by said mentioning. Which, hey, I'm one of those people who does, indeed, clothe her Kindle -- whose name is Trixie -- so I am just an ordinary sinner.

And, presumably to flesh this thing out, there's a quiz, lists, and miscellanea of interest at the end. It was sorta like finding an Easter Egg -- if you're the type of person to wonder why Trixie, or Boris, or Bob's Kindle (yaaaaawn) is only at 79%. That's because the rest is the aforementioned quiz 'n' treats, but also links to a ton of websites -- some of which want your money.

The title says it all -- if you want to read about how Kindle has created its own culture and community, this is a solid choice. If you question purchasing it for an elderly relative, if you wonder where you can find other passionate Kindlers, if you want to find wonderful accessories, you should find value here.

2.0 out of 5 stars thin of content, out of date, July 1, 2011

By 

Becca (SE MIchigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kindle Culture: Tales of How Amazon's E-Reader is Sparking a Cultural Revolution (Kindle Edition)

This book was written in 2009, and information about the Kindle and kindle resources is way out of date. Yes, some of the stories were heart-warming and charming, but there really isn't enough content to justify the $4.99 price. Controversies were mentioned briefly, but no real information about the pros and cons of each side are discussed, only that the controversy was present (I'm thinking about the flap over text to speech when Amazon backed down from the Author's Guild objection to TTS).

I got about 1/3 into this book, and returned it to Amazon.