The Victorian Internet - Review

So a long time ago Dave Goodman recommended The Victorian Internet to me (that's 3 links in this sentence). After a while I finally ordered it and then after a while I finally read it and then I finally remember to post about it.

A very interesting book on the how long distance communications took place centuries ago. Eventually the story focuses mostly on the 1800's and how the telegraph was build, used, subsidized and grew all over the world. It's a great book with all sorts of obvious parallels to the last 30 years and computer communications that just jump out at you. At least they jumped out at me, the last chapter kinda spoon fed the similarities to you in case you didn't get them but I think if you made it through the book you don't really need that wrap up.

I'm not going to say any more about the book itself, if it sounds even mildly interesting I really think you'll enjoy it.

I'm looking for some similar books for two reasons:
1) I like stuff like this.
2) I'm thinking they're going to ask me to teach the Tech Leadership 900 level course again at a local university. And I think an understanding of "stuff like this" is helpful for people working in technology. Plus it's a short book and less than $12 new so what college student isn't going to like that?!? Last summer we used The World is Flat (revised), which was cheap and interesting but it's long and gets repetitive and if it's not interesting to you it just more uninteresting as you read. It's a great book, don't get me wrong but if it's not your cup of tea it's really long, while if this book isn't at least it's over soon.

Auction Loot (or "It looks like Christmas")

So I made out like a bandit at the auction at school. I ended up with five baskets (three of them were the hugest ones there) and two gift certificates. I got good deals but I still spent some cash but I use to donate to the foundation by having it taken out of my check, which was boring, now I just go nuts at the auction and spend it there.

Results on the stuff I donated: My Costa Rican coffee basket had gotten quite a few bids but I think it still only went somewhere in the thirty-ish dollar range. My Cat in the Hat Visit basket wasn't selling very high at all (it had a few books, an audiobook, stickers and a visit from the Cat in the Hat [that would be me] for story-time or a party) so I bought it. The few times I've done it before I did birthday parties and it's hot inside the costume and the parties are usually outside and if someone isn't interested in donating enough money I'll donate it myself (and keep one of my Saturday afternoons free). Plus this means I've already got my basket made up for next year!

So here's the loot I got (click the image for a larger photo):