On the Way to the Web: The Secret History of the Internet and Its Founders

By Michael A. Banks

Overview: This book shows how history was changed through the use of computers and the Internet. How everyday life now, relies on the Internet and the way we find information. The book talks about many of the start-up companies the Internet was founded on such as: Prodigy, GEnie, AOL, Apple Link, PC-Link, CompuServe, Lockheed, DELPHI, Apple, IBM and many more. Banks takes you through 30 years of the Internet and how it's developed and changed since the 1970's. The book has really good Appendix's that show the start of the companies and a great timeline. "This book introduces you to failed entrepreneurs, people who built empires out of little more than empty time, the innovators who laid the foundation for the Internet and the World Wide Web, the man who invented online chat, and the people who invented the products all of us use online every day!" If you want to know about the Internet and how it really started this is the book for you.

Recommendation: This book was very interesting because of all the information presented. The author, Michael A. Banks, really did his research for writing this book. No wonder he is considered an expert in his field. He gives very detailed information and a lot of it. It takes a little bit of time to read it because of all the names and companies he goes through. I liked that he included little subtext in the book of specific information that was interesting. I would not suggest this book for light easy reading unless you are really interested in the beginning of the Internet. It can be a little dry in some areas and can jump around very quickly. If you know nothing about computers this book can be a little difficult. Overall, I would not recommend this book unless you are extremely interested in the material.