The Well

The Story of Love, Death & Real Life in the Seminal Online Community

An early experiment in online communities, the WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link), a revolutionary virtual community founded by Stewart Brand, originator of The Whole Earth Catalog, and Larry Brilliant, visionary philanthropist and software engineer, was an indispensable contribution to the evolution of the Web. Katie Hafner chronicles the story of this early electronic village, and analyzes the many reasons for how the WELL’s success came to shape the Internet as we know it today. See the original story in Wired Magazine.

PRAISE & REVIEWS

“We are all lucky Katie Hafner has told the definitive story of one of the most beloved communities of cyberspace. Her sharp observations and brilliantly poised narrative lines make the amazing tale of The Well read like a season of “Survivor” recounted by Jane Austen.”

“The best book ever written about communities and the Internet. A truly moving account for all who care about life in cyberspace and beyond.”