Influential Books

In writing "Internet Revolution: A Generational Story" I drew inspiration from many books that in some way sought to understand the changes caused by technology during their time.

The World of Yesterday, Stefan Zweig, 1941 A memoir reflecting on the mostly overlooked interwar period leading up to World War II. Written with a heavy dose of nostalgia for what Europe was, and seemingly never could be again, it provided an excellent and authentic snapshot of what change looked and felt like before narrative historians dominate opinion.

The Age of Discontinuity, Peter Drucker, 1969 This book has the kind of uncommon objective thinking that is needed to understand tech driven change. Drucker’s assessment of change, and how humans interact remains exceptionally relevant.

The Innovators Dilemma, Clayton Christensen, 1997 Christensen’s ideas on innovation and theories greatly informed my thinking about the intersection of business, technology, and people.

The Third Wave, Alvin Toffler, 1980 Toffler breaks down the waves of human development across the world into agricultural, industrial, and knowledge phases. Though these ideas are an oversimplification, it vastly improved my perspective on change on the global level.

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AntiFragile, NassimTaleb, 2012 This book could well be among the most influential books of the decade. A detailed explication on becoming stronger when faced with crisis level opposition. Loaded with clever tangents and anecdotes causing me to wish I knew a lot more about everything.

On War, Carl Clausewitz, 1832 The insights of strategy and how change occurs in this book are like nothing I’ve read anywhere else. There are moments of pure gold that apply to many aspects of life, not just military and politics.

Ulysses, JamesJoyce, 1922 A book dealing with the big themes of cultural identity, national- ism, gender, all while living inside your own mental world is very relevant to the Internet and change happening today.

Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace, 1996 Loaded with information, snippets of philosophy, and tales of the highs and lows of American consumer-driven and media-saturated society. I read the book in 2015, (when the book was set to take place), and found the critiques of entertainment, addiction, advertising, achievement, and new-age psychology appropriate.

The Innovators: How a Group of Inventors, Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution, Walter Isaacson, 2014 A well-researched book on the origins of Silicon Valley companies and culture. Certainly among the best books on this topic.

Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History, Kurt Anderson, 2017

A valuable perspective on beliefs in the United States and the

changing perception of what is normal, expected, or real.

Super Sad True Love Story: A Novel, Gary Shteyngart, 2011

Entertaining and spot on projections of the future and social

dimensions of smartphone and social media use.

Scar Tissue, Anthony Keidis, 2004

A rock star’s perspective on building a worldwide fan base beyond Los Angeles confronted with changing cultural, entertainment, had a lot to say about the Internet and generational change.

-Marc Jorgensen, Author, "Internet Revolution: A Generational Story" Click here to purchase.