The Digital State

If you've been awake and actively using the net over the past few years, you probably already know just about everything in this book. Martin has very good insight into what the web can really be...beyond all the technology hoopla, building virtual communities, supplying appropriate content, making a corporate web site that is actually useful to consumers, etc.. A GREAT read for those trying to make sense of the web, understand how people use the web, and see how other companies have created successful enterprises or applications integrating the internet. The copy I got had some duplicate/missing pages in the introduction of the book.

This book is a "must read" for all company owners and managers involved in the corporate planning process. The Digital Estate digs into the successes and failures of pure on-line businesses and electronic efforts of other companies to define the principals of doing business today. This is not a "technology book" and is not targeted for "net heads" or persons already in the Internet business. It is a business book for executives that contrasts the "old way" and new methods that are transforming business thinking. It is a book for business heads that need a grounding in business on the Internet. Written in a clear and concise manner, sans hype and jargon, it is engrossing, clever and insightful. I can not over emphasize the importance of this book to all business executives.

In a domain positively viscous with lame literature, this book doesn't have any serious competition. It's very helpful at all levels, but its witty and humane approach is particularly good for business people moving onto the Web for the first time. Martin gives sound, detailed explanations of Web advertising, branding, business planning and building an on-line community by using the actual experiences of Net companies that are building today's new Internet economy

The pundits and gurus of new media have been burying us alive in hype, blather and B.S. about how to do business on the Internet. Chuck Martin just did us all a great big favor by droping a shovelfull of good sense on the top of the pile. You have to buy the Digital Estate if you want to understand the who, how and why of this business. Martin is the first author to understand the dynamic between the mega-telecom-glomerates and the webprenuers -- and he lays it out in a clear, readable fashion. This book will help you make money in new media. Don't pass it up

There is a tremendous amount of hype written about the Internet today. Many of the books are written to describe why the online world is cool or simply to say that online business is inevitable. "The Digital Estate" is one of very few books that goes beyond that. In this book you will find a serious discussion of what to do and how to do it. If you are running an Internet based firm you will be inspired. If you are responsible for your comapny's online presence, you will be educated. If you are a top level executive in a large coporation, you may be awakened. I can think of noone who is in business on the Net who will not benefit from reading this book. Many who will realize that it is time they got their act together. Chuck Martin truly "Get's it". He will help you "Get it" too. Roman Godzich TotalNEWS Inc. http://totalnews.com