The Heart of the Internet: An Insider's View of the Origin and Promise of the On-Line Revolution (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Like many of my contemporaries, I felt inspired to a life of research when the first artificial satellite was launched..." (more)
Key Phrases: solid state society, web bugs, network information center, Paul Baran, Doug Engelbart, United States (more...)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 201 pages
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing Company (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571743693
• ISBN-13: 978-1571743695
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #234,862 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read... a very smart man., September 13, 2003

By A Customer

Dr. Vallee is well respected in other fields besides the computer world, but this book detailing his experience as part of the evolution and creation of what became the internet is sure to acquire a good audience of its own. The book is written partly like an autobiography, partly like a discerning review of the subject. It is a nice mix, with enough personal insight and interest to make it compelling, and enough factual detail to make it a worthy reference book on its own. As is common for this author, he has a keen insight into not just the technical and factual aspects of a subject, but the human perspectives as well, and it is this which makes the book not just another list of facts (as many about computers are), but an intriguing narrative of human history and how the present came to be--as well as what the future may hold. I highly recommend it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obligatory reading, July 16, 2003

By	Jacques F. Vallee (SAN FRANCISCO, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From Stephens F. Millard, advisory board member, the Wharton School and the Kellogg school: Obligatory reading for anybody interested in the history, evolution and future of this epoch-making technology, whose full promise has yet to be realized. Dr. Jacques Vallee, an eminent computer scientist who was present at the creation of the Internet, brings both knowledge and understanding to this important debate.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling warning! Read this & take nothing for granted, July 16, 2003

By	Jacques F. Vallee (SAN FRANCISCO, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From Paul Saffo, Institute for the Future: Based on a deep understanding of the Internet and its origins, this book presents a compelling warning. It is a welcome antidote to both the naive utopianism of the Internet bubble and to oppressive liberty-quenching actions by global corporations and governments alike. Read this and take nothing for granted - the Internet will only remain a force for freedom if you help protect it.