Linked

The New Science of Networks

By: Albert-Laszlo Barabasi

Narrated by: Henry Leyva

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

From a cocktail party to a terrorist cell, from an ancient bacteria to an international conglomerate - all are networks, and all are part of a surprising scientific revolution. A maverick group of scientists is discovering that all networks have a deep underlying order and operate according to simple but powerful rules. This knowledge promises to shed light on the spread of fads and viruses, the robustness of ecosystems, the vulnerability of economies - even the future of democracy.

Now, for the first time, a scientist whose own work has transformed the study of "links and nodes" takes us inside the unfolding network revolution. Albert-Laszlo Barabasi traces the fascinating history of connected systems, beginning with mathematician Leonhard Euler's first forays into graph theory in the late 1700s and culminating in biologists' development of cancer drugs based on a new understanding of cellular networks.

Combining narrative flare with sparkling insights, Barabasi introduces us to the myriad modern-day "cartographers" mapping networks in a range of scientific disciplines. Aided by powerful computers, they are proving that social networks, corporations, and cells are more similar than they are different. Their discoveries provide an important new perspective on the interconnected world around us.

Linked reveals how Google came to be the Internet's most popular search engine, how Vernon Jordan's social network affects the entire American economy, what it would take to bring down a terrorist organization like al Qaeda, and why an obscure finding of Einstein's could change the way we look at the networks in our own lives. Understanding the structure and behavior of networks will forever alter our world, allowing us to design the "perfect" business or stop a disease outbreak before it goes global.

Engaging and authoritative, Linked provides an exciting preview of the next century in science.

Also available in print from Perseus Publishing.

©2002 Albert-Laszlo Barabasi
(P)2002 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A sweeping look at a new and exciting science." (Donald Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief, Science Magazine)

"Captivating.... Linked is a playful, even exuberant romp through an exciting new field." (Time Out New York)

Slow start, strong finish

This is a thorough discussion of network theory. The first part of the book goes into great, and sometimes tedious, detail. If you have the patience to wait for the cake to bake, however, the frosting is quite tasty. The second half of the book is about applications and real-world examples of every sort of network you might imagine and several you probably won't.

Excellent summarization of network theory

As a computer scientist I was a bit skeptical of this book from the abstract. However, I thoroughly enjoyed both the topics the author chose to cover as well as the means with which he covered them. Highly recommended to anyone who has an interest in network theory but who is not yet well versed.

Net results

Very well done. Ignoring harware and web, networking is empowering many of us in ways we probably can't yet understand. A sequel looking at deeper affects and effects would be interesting. Wish we had more collaborative authors to present several facets of similar material.

three times too long

At the end of a long chapter on phase transitions in physics, the author helpfully notes that nothing in that chapter is actually relevant to network science, ostensibly the topic of the book. 'Nuff said.

Great insight

This is a great book that provides the kind of knowledge that lasts a lifetime. It spans a range of research from digital networks to biology to Einstein theories. A "must read" (or "must listen") for all intelligent people.

Not a Mathematician

I'm not a scientist or a mathematician, and this book reminded me why. It was a bit dry in places, and the math often seemed to prove the obvious - that networks are not always random, but rather some nodes are more connected than others. Could have been said in a much shorter format. Also, it seemed to confuse some issues, like web pages vs. Internet infrastructure. Still, this book gave some interesting things to think about.

Be prepared for this...

This book sounded very interesting, however, upon listening to it I gradually got lost. I believe that mathematicians and engineers will enjoy this for which I'd give it 5 stars, but for the casual observer with slight interest, I give it 3.

Interesting but missing the Wow factor

I got a couple of hours into this audiobook and was thinking, "So?". There wasn't much there except a mathematical history lesson and some networking theory I already knew from years on the web. So I went back and listened to it again and caught some insights I missed the first time. The author links some disparate theories and industries and brings them together into a whole that is, while not groundbreaking, still a worthy addition to your non-fiction audiobook collection.

The book recounts the history of such things that have entered the common lexicon like "six degrees of separation". Overall I enjoyed the book although it didn't blow me away like Mind Wide Open or On Intelligence.

Fantastically interwined

I cannot recommend this boook highly enough. It chaanged the way I see many aspects of modern society.

Life Changing

This is one of those must read books which change the way you look at the world around you.