Google It: A History of Google

Literary Merit: Great
Characterization: N/A
Recommend: YES
Grades: 6-12

This is a brief and easy to access history of Google. This follows the path from the inception of simplifying web searches to the behemoth web-based company Google is today. I found this to be such a fascinating read - I learned so much and got a glimpse of what's to come from Google. We find out the original name of the company, the many offices that the company out-grew throughout it's journey, how different ideas are generated and spawn either under or outside of the Google Umbrella, and how many of the Google tools we enjoy today came from basic needs that have arisen from real world problems.

I especially like that way the author started most of the chapters by show more introducing what life and the search for information was like before the days of Google -- this will really amaze teens today who have never lived in a Google-less world. I would highly recommend this book to all teen readers (and adults!), especially those that have any technological inclinations! show less

An attractive review of Google's accomplishments and how they revolutionized various fields, but acknowledging the company's flaws could have gone deeper than flatly citing "controversy" and moving on to more gee-wiz praise. Segments written in blue-on-blue text add a challenge for the eyes. Here's a shortcut: Larry and Sergey are dreamers who don't believe in limits, which is why Google changes the world and we peons simply read about it.

This is an inventive, engaging and lively story of the orgins of Google-- the story of Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who wanted to organize the internet and eventually BECAME the internet. The book is told chronilogically, with illustrations, side bars and photographs. It traces Google’s history from its inception to today’s technology-- Youtube and the “Ok Google” voice activated items. A great selection for any teen section, and especially for those who have readers interested in Computers or computer science.

Although the author wrote this book for the youth audience, I as an old guy found it very enjoyable to read with lots of interesting facts intertwined throughout the story.

Larry Page and Gergey Brin met in 1995 on the Stanford University campus. Now they are two of the richest people on Earth and everyone uses Google and many of its many side projects. This book aimed at a teen audience gives us a project by project view of how it became the behemoth it is today.