This text is actually an update of a series of essays that grew out of a conference that was held more than a decade ago. The current material is timely, interesting, and useful. In fact, the only material in the book that I did not find particularly useful came at the beginning; I am not sure that anyone who would be inclined to pick up this text would really need an introduction to hypertext and the Web.

This is a scholarly book. In many ways it is also a philosophical one. Each chapter begins with a clear abstract and is written in a style that we would expect to find in a journal paper. Those who are looking for a book that will help them create the most jazzy and up-to-date Web site should look elsewhere. Those who are looking for a book that will help them think about the “what” and “why” of the World Wide Web will find this fascinating reading.

Following two chapters by the editor, readers will find 22 chapters, each by a separate author (or group of authors). One essay that I found fascinating was “A learning support environment: The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide.” In it, Lesley  Allenson  and Nick Hammond present a learning support environment for nonformal knowledge domains. They demonstrate how a variety of access structures are required to make effective use of information. A travel holiday metaphor is used to tie it all together. The other essays in the book take the same unusual, philosophical approach.