Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0449002276, Paperback)

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.