Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins of the Internet

I'm deeply interested in old computers (from the 1950s to the 1980s), old technologies and the story of how these evolved over the last few decades. Was quite excited when I discovered this book and bought it right away. However, when I started reading it, I simply couldn't go beyond the first 35-40 pages. The book is just too dull, too drab and dry... and the writing is uninvolving. Didn't like it at all 😒

Read and u'll never regret itNever bore even for a minute, the way story moves is amazing with giving all sort of necessary details.I believe no other book can match even.Will also tell the primary reason of existence for TCP,SMTP, FTP protocol ?

The subject matter, the origins of the Internet, is fascinating and the book does an acceptable job of covering it.However, the delivery feels dull. The portraits of the key characters, and their surroundings feel like diversions, more often than not failing to bring the human dimension to the story. The book is nowhere near as engaging as Tracy Kidder's "The soul of new machine" or David Kushner's "Masters of Doom".Technical content, and overall level of detail, feel OK at the start whilst covering BBN's involvement but generally fade away as the story progresses.Not a bad book, but not memorable.

I loved this book - even if it is not perfect and is definitely a bit nerdy. Although it would need to be updated in a second edition, I found the history of the net fascinating. Now I really want to understand the technical details of networking, which I should have done years ago.

This book is a must-read for anyone whose interest in the Internet extends beyond just using it, and into how and why it came about. The number of incredibly smart people who were involved at various times in various ways is amazing.

I have the original paperback and absolutely love this book. Being a computer geek myself I find it very interesting and entertaining read. I've read it through a couple of times, love it.

What a great book about the history of the internet! Get this book if (like me) you remember the old days of Arpa Net and 'no proper networks!'