A densely packed, well researched history of digital cryptography. Amazingly complex and detailed writing makes the book a slow read. But it's required background to fully appreciate the term, "five nines."

Web Style Guide by Patrick Lynch & Sarah Horton

Concise, direct, and organized overview of the web development process. Worthwhile reading for all web developers.

The 500-Year Delta : What Happens After What Comes Next by Jim Taylor, Watts Wacker, Howard Means (Contributor)

One-third forward thinking; one-third technobabble; one-third incomprehensible. Worth reading if only to see if your definitions of the various one-thirds match up with others who are involved in the Internet.

In the Beginning...Was the Command Line by Neal Stephenson

Short, pointed observations on the nature and future of desktop operating systems. Makes Mac fanatics step back and wonder why they make such a fuss over the topic.

Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty by Muhammad Yunus, Alan Jolis

This book has nothing to do with technology or the Internet. But it has everything to do with rethinking the foundations of an industry. In this case, it's the foundation of the 2,000 year old banking industry: credit, collateral and access to capital. To the bankers who rejected outright the notion of micro-lending to the poor comes the following:

"The poorest of the poor work twelve hours a day. They need to sell and earn income to eat. They have every reason to pay you back, just to take out another loan and live another day! That is the best security you can have --- their life." "The fact that the poor are alive is clear proof of their ability."

Given that the web is only about 2,500 days old, there are plenty of reasons to think about the foundations of the industry.

The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology by Simon Winchester

To begin to understand the power one person can have on the birth of a discipline, read this book. You are living in interesting times. Join the fray and lead. William Smith did.

customers.com by Patricia Seybold

This book is not about e-commerce as the title may suggest. It's an interesting and quick reading visit to the topic of business process assessment and determining if and how the Internet fits business needs. The wide range of case studies clearly demonstrate the need for customer-centric strategic thinking.