Entretiens (1998-2001) by Marie Lebert

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Entretiens (1998-2001) by Marie Lebert

(3 User reviews) 1050

By Nancy Miller Posted on Feb 5, 2026

In Category - Ancient Traditions

Authors: Lebert, Marie Published By : Lebert, Marie

Book Language: French

Hey, have you heard about this book that's basically a time capsule of the early internet? It's called 'Entretiens (1998-2001)' by Marie Lebert. Imagine sitting down with the actual people who were building the digital world while most of us were still figuring out how to use email. This isn't a dry history book. It's a collection of conversations with programmers, activists, librarians, and dreamers from 1998 to 2001—right at the moment when the web went from a niche tool to something that would change everything. The main thing that grabbed me was hearing their hopes and fears. They were building this new frontier, but they were already worried about who would control it, how information would flow, and what it would mean for all of us. It's like listening to the architects of a city while the first bricks are being laid, and they're already debating about public parks versus private malls. If you've ever wondered how we got the internet we have today, this is the backstage pass.

File: Entretiens (1998-2001) by Marie Lebert

So, what's this book actually about? 'Entretiens (1998-2001)' is exactly what the title says: a series of interviews. From 1998 to 2001, Marie Lebert sat down with dozens of key players in the digital revolution. We're talking about the folks creating early e-books, fighting for free software, building digital libraries, and shaping how we communicate online. This was the era of dial-up modems, Netscape Navigator, and the dot-com boom. The book captures their raw, immediate thoughts before anyone knew how the story would end.

The Story

There isn't a single plot, but there is a powerful narrative arc. Lebert lets her subjects speak for themselves. You'll hear from a programmer in France working on multilingual computing, an activist in the U.S. championing open access, and a librarian in Canada digitizing ancient texts. Each conversation is a snapshot. Together, they form a mosaic of a world in frantic, optimistic creation. The 'conflict' isn't between characters, but between ideas: free vs. proprietary, universal access vs. walled gardens, utopian collaboration vs. commercial reality. You watch these tensions emerge in real time.

Why You Should Read It

Reading this now, in the 2020s, is a wild experience. It's full of 'they saw it coming' moments. These pioneers accurately predicted issues like digital divides, information overload, and corporate control. But there's also a beautiful, almost nostalgic hope that shines through—a belief that technology could connect humanity and spread knowledge freely. It makes you think hard about the paths we took and the ones we left behind. It’s not technical; it's human. You get their personalities, their doubts, and their sparks of genius.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone curious about the human story behind our screens. It's not for readers who want a fast-paced thriller. It's for the person who enjoys podcasts like 'Reply All' or books that explore how culture gets made. If you remember the sound of a dial-up modem, this will be a fascinating trip down memory lane. If you don't, it's an essential primer on how the online world you live in was imagined—and what those original dreamers wanted for us.

🟢 Legacy Content

Legal analysis indicates this work is in the public domain. You do not need permission to reproduce this work.