Tarnoff’s politically infused history and critical analysis of the privatized internet is a useful, brief primer for readers with no prior knowledge on the subject.
Readers hoping for a work wholly dedicated to the writers living in San Francisco during the period may be somewhat disappointed, as two of the four are not in the city for half of the years covered in the book. Recommended for fans of the authors, particularly Harte and Twain, and readers of American history, biography, and American literary history. [See Prepub Alert, 10/1/13.]