Hypertext 2.0: The Convergence of Contemporary Critical Theory and Technology (Parallax - Re-Visions of Culture and Society)

Rating:
Summary: Walking a fine line
Review: Literature and computing inhabit separate universes, one could think. But since the ideas of hypertext have come up and the technical basis for the Internet has been put in place, we have seen enormous growth and interest in this area.

The book is not easy to read for computer scientists, but it is much more legible than many other works in the field! It is filled with references to other works and invites the reader to "follow the link" and go read the other works.

The main contribution of the book is to show computing people what is done over in the literature world and to show literature people what is technically possible - without trying to discuss bleeding edge technology.

It is always a problem to walk the fine line that delineates two sciences - each is convinced that works from the "fringe" are not really in-depth or founded or even serious. But the book makes you think and want to know more - and that is a very fine thing indeed for this interdisziplinary area.