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The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google
by Nicholas Carr
from W. W. Norton
Customer Reviews:
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Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0 
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The first six chapters are stellar 
The Big Switch started out as one of the most interesting books I've read in a while. In part one Carr presents a terrific analogy between electricity and the Internet as general purpose technologies. Unfortunately part two is just as dull as part one is compelling. Part one succeeds in my view because it's an effective historical analogy rich in comparisons and historical insight. In part two Carr highlights the many of the issues raised by the development of Internet as a utility (i.e., loss of privacy).... more info
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Really two books in one 
For those who know or care about the infrastructure undergirding our technology revolution, this is a must-read book. The thesis is simple: we're at a tipping point where "utility computing" will quickly replace in-house data centers. It sounds simple, but the implications are not. The first half of the book lays out and describes the revolution, sometimes in breathless terms. The second half is much darker, however, detailing projected consequences. The author points out that a number of popular websites... more info
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future view is flawed
I found this book interesting when it covered the time period from 1870's to current day (2008). When the author began to discuss possible futures, I thought he was unrealistic and pessimistic. I do not think his forcasts are grounded in any sort of a good understanding of technology and are not to useful.
Overall this book is worth reading but the author should have stopped at the current time; his future views really distract from the quality of the book.
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Interesting read if not a little pessimistic
As a computer software professional, I took extra interest in this book and did find it interesting and thought-provoking but not that realistic and a bit pessimistic about the future of the knowledge worker.
The first half of the book is a history lesson about electrification and the impact it had on societies and on individuals.
The basic thesis of the first half of the book is the creation of the electric grid accelerated the concentration of wealth in large businesses. With electric light and... more info
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