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)

Good listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, fascenateing take on networks of all kinds.

What did you like best about this story?

the similaritys it draws to nature

What does Henry Leyva bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

unexpectably an intertaining read

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no

Any additional comments?

good slection

Very interesting and well paced

I found this book very interesting. It does a good job of setting up the premise. It covers a few examples of links in a way that is easy to extend out to other networks. I did find some assertions about history (such as mobile devices started from the Apple Newton) made by the author to be suspicious, but they did not detract from the message.

Linked

Fascinating topic! I would like to see the principles of studying the network operating in the Bush family and the Republican Party.

The Democratic Party needs to learn from it.

For his survival, the American citizen needs to understand it.

mind-expanding

Similar to my first exposures to systems thinking and chaos theory, learning about network structure will change the way I think. While I would like to look at the math behind this discovery (if I have the time!), Barabasi served as a great introduction. After all, decades of reductionism have shattered the world into a myriad of parts, and we need some conceptual “glue” to reassemble these parts rationally.

And it seems likely that scale-free network topology that the Barabasi helped discover in Web pages may be such a “mental glue.” The topology seems to fit many natural phenomena. But, is this a new “math” describing the structure of reality, similar to Newton’s laws? As an empiricist at heart, I would like independent verification, instead of the author, and one of the initial discoverers of network topology, giving us the old rah-rah.

This overt boosterism shaved a star off of my rating. Once Barabasi began “science fictionizing” the results of network theory near the end of the book, my inner critic reared up. To wit: The “Internet as one giant computer…” A fully mapped cell protein network ends physician visits (we will email results of blood work, which the doctor will use to prescribe “designer drugs”), cures cancer and psychic disorders such as bipolar disorder… (?)

Let’s not get too far. We are not there yet! And when we get there, I have a sneaking suspicion that old Mother Nature has a wrinkle or two up her sleeve.

Still, read this book! You will be taking quite a ride.

Connects the Dots?

If you are interested in Artificial Intelligence, E-Business, or politics this book will tickle your neurons and tighten your synapses. Take the book in whole rather than approach each chapter as a separate lesson. Those unfamiliar with mathematics theory should understand that the early chapters deal with theories that the later chapters prove inapplicable to scale-free networks and the World Wide Web. So do not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Worth the money!

Great introduction to the nature and mechanisms of networks of all kind (human, technical, biological, etc.) Very entertaining and at the same time not oversimplifying. Also a got primer on the history of network research.

organic growth description... really appreciate

I've been aware of 6 degrees of separation for some time. this book describes why. I love it!

Barabasi the Network Guru

Understanding life as a complex network opens up a whole new level of thinking. The way I work and what I teach my kids has changed for ever. Barabasi has taken history, combined his enlightened discoveries and provided a glimpse of the future. Barabasi the Network Guru is in a league of his own. Fantastic listen.

Great story! Needs improvement in performance!

I enjoyed the story, history, and theories; however, the reading performance was nauseating. Fortunately, I would have never considered listening to this book if it wasn't referenced by a couple books I read. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

Simply Great!

Unbelievably useful and clear. A great book to anyone studying complexity. Incredibly relevant even 15 years later.