The article reviews Howard Rheingold's book *The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier*. Rheingold, a self-described "uncredentialed social scientist," presents an enthusiastic view of computer networking's potential to build a better world. The book is structured around reviews of various computer networks, including a case study of a low-cost network in the San Francisco Bay Area, a history of the Internet, and introductions to groupmind systems like Usenet, MUDs, and IRC. It also covers computer networks in Japan, France, and England, and discusses successful political organizing projects using computer networks. The final chapter critiques the threat of network domination by private enterprises and new technology based on the writings of Jurgen Habermas, Michel Foucault, and Jean Baudrillard. While the book's historical reviews and theoretical critiques remain relevant, its focus on pre-World Wide Web technology limits its currency. The author's discussions of anti-social behavior and corporate control of networks are particularly relevant today. Despite some dated material, Rheingold's analysis and writing style make him an authoritative voice in the debate about the social impact of computer networks. His website provides a free full-text version of the book, highlighting the impact of the World Wide Web on the book's relevance.The article reviews Howard Rheingold's book *The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier*. Rheingold, a self-described "uncredentialed social scientist," presents an enthusiastic view of computer networking's potential to build a better world. The book is structured around reviews of various computer networks, including a case study of a low-cost network in the San Francisco Bay Area, a history of the Internet, and introductions to groupmind systems like Usenet, MUDs, and IRC. It also covers computer networks in Japan, France, and England, and discusses successful political organizing projects using computer networks. The final chapter critiques the threat of network domination by private enterprises and new technology based on the writings of Jurgen Habermas, Michel Foucault, and Jean Baudrillard. While the book's historical reviews and theoretical critiques remain relevant, its focus on pre-World Wide Web technology limits its currency. The author's discussions of anti-social behavior and corporate control of networks are particularly relevant today. Despite some dated material, Rheingold's analysis and writing style make him an authoritative voice in the debate about the social impact of computer networks. His website provides a free full-text version of the book, highlighting the impact of the World Wide Web on the book's relevance.