An overview, suitable for high school or undergraduate use, of the creation and growth of the Internet and its impact on society. The text is divided into three sections: a utilitarian narrative of the Net's origins and development; encyclopedia-style biographies of leading figures involved in the Net's creation and growth; and the text of primary material such as papers, speeches, essays, and other documents that illuminate the Net's early history and effects on commerce and culture. Sparingly illustrated in b&w, the volume includes reference material such as a chronology of events. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)