The Book Lover's Guide to the Internet

The accessible, nontechnical guide to the amazing literary resources of the Internet and on-line services--now revised and updated!

From instant access to the Library of Congress catalog to on-line book discussion groups to a burgeoning library of literary gems converted to electronic text, the Internet is a paradise for readers and book lovers--and the information and resources there just continue to grow. In this revised edition of The Booklover's Guide to the Internet, syndicated columnist Evan Morris provides new and updated entries, incisive ratings of the latest Internet service providers, and valuable sections on cutting-edge technology. Gain easy access to the Internet's endless literary resources with clear, comprehensive guidance on such topics as


Getting a fast (and cheap) connection to the Net and rating the various online services that provide Net access
Tapping into reference tools such as government and university databases and on-line dictionaries and encyclopedias
Browsing the newsstands of the Net, where you'll find free on-line excerpts from hundreds of newspapers and magazines
Downloading the ever-expanding electronic library of classics available free through Project Gutenberg and other sources
Using powerful search engines to find what you want on the Net quickly and efficiently
Joining on-line discussion groups on books and authors
Publishing your own writing on-line using the new hypertext technology of the World Wide Web
And much more


Whether you're already on-line or eager to get on-line for the first time, The Booklover's Guide to the Internet opens up a world of information, specifically tailored to the needs of readers.

There's been a lot of talk about how the Internet is endangering literacy. After spending some time leafing through The Book Lover's Guide to the Internet, you'll think otherwise. This guide for bookworms argues that traditional and digital cultures do mix and provides a list of worthwhile Web and FTP sites and newsgroups. Along with sites devoted to individual authors, the book includes resources for gay, lesbian, and bisexual literature; multicultural literature; poetry; and e-zines. The book's casual tone offsets the wealth of information it contains. For instance, the modem is described as "a little electronic device that allows your computer to communicate with others of its ilk over a telephone line."

The book doesn't quite get to the meat of the issue until about halfway through. Although it's a good strategy to assume that many bookish types aren't as Internet-savvy as, say, Star Trek fans, the author spends too much time explaining Internet navigation and the history of the Web. Some of his technical advice is also out-dated. Still, bibliophiles who spend a lot of time online will find Morris' guide chock full of useful information.