Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho

I have always liked fiction much more than nonfiction. I like the adventure and creativity of fiction. At first I thought that Geeks was just going to be another book about some person's life that I never even knew existed. However, this book showed me a different perspective on life stories. It was being told by a different person, a simple bystander. I got to hear what the author thought about the person's life, not just what the character was going through. This book showed the life of two typical "geeks" and their journey from a small town in Idaho to the big city of Chicago. They used their knowledge of the Internet to guide them there and found the city to be different than they had expected. They had to get used to the city life, which was a struggle for them both. This book taught me many lessons about the struggles of changing lifestyles, the difficulties of fitting in, and the reasons to never give up.

When I first looked at Jon Katz book about a couple of geeks leaving an Idaho community and it's Mormon values for mainstream Chicago, I was expecting they would do something special like a start-up company or something. It's just about a couple of kids leaving home and family to find better opportunities in the field they love. They came into contact with the author via email and message boards. The book is a short 200 pages and though it's suppose to focus on what it means to be a geek and what makes them geeks. It starts with questionable definitions from sources like Hacker's Dictionary equating the word "geek" to a racial slur that I don't agree with. In the end, the author has become part of the story by mentoring and assisting Jessie and Eric to the point that a lot of the things wouldn't have happen with out Mr Katz assistance. Talking to Entrance counselors and using his background to try and get them into an elite school with mediocre grades, financially assisting them with a move that wouldn't have happened if they didn't have the connection with the author. The book takes a sudden twist addressing the Columbine shootings that had just happened only because the shooters had some articles from him on their website. Followed were just copies of emails and message board postings that tells how hard it was for people in high school being geeks. The story then became less about geeks and more about school bullies in general and the overreaction of news junkie school officials believing geeks in trench-coats that play violent video games are a danger to society. I wonder what would have happened if Mr Katz was just an observer and hadn't become so close to his subjects and Columbine shootings hadn't occur. Mr Katz, ever heard of the "Prime Directive"? In the end, I didn't care about Jessie and Eric because it happens all the time in America. There wasn't anything special or unique about them. Why didn't they just go to Silicon Valley were there were lots of companies and a whole community revolving around technology? Guaranteed success. What about minority geeks? They are usually totally alone, outcast by all and yet have to always prove they are capable and smart because of accepted stereotypes that blacks are "dumb". They don't get hired easily and don't fit the mold. I'm that kind of geek.

Every teenager and college student - especially those super smart and those who are computer savvy - should present this book to an adult in their world! An absolute MUST read and own!

I found this book while wandering aimlessly through the library, so I didn't really know what to expect. Jesse and Eric's story is very intriguing and quite well written. It had me reading it through most of my classes. While I don't necessarily identify with Jesse and Eric and geeks as they are defined in this book, I can understand where they are coming from with their frustrations at not being accepted. I would recommend this book to anyone just for the issues and discussion that can be brought up though it. The only big problem I had with Geeks is Chapter ten, where Katz almost makes himself out to have single-handily connected all geeks to receive support from each other.

I wasn't too thrilled when my mother told me to read this book over the summer. It didn't appear to be all that interesting, and since I have no experience with computers, and already a lot of experience being the outsider, I didn't see the point.

Well, the book wasn't exceptionally well written, and was even slightly boring in some parts, but I still enjoyed it. The reason is that I liked hearing what the actual kids had to say about being outsiders. It is a wonderful feeling to realize that other people have had the same sensations as you about not belonging. It makes you feel less alone. Not to mention the fact that Jesse was very eloquent about the way it feels.

I'm lucky. I have never been beaten up or badly insulted to my face, and I haven't had anywhere near as many bad experiences as these kids have. But it was good to finally hear someone addressing the issue of... well I don't know what to call it. I can't think of the right words. It's like being sexist, except against people who are different. I'll make up a new word and call it boxism. :)

The story was very inspirational, if not the best told one I have read. Against seemingly impossible odds, Jesse and Eric actually made something of themselves. Sounds familiar, huh? But this is actually a TRUE story. Everyone should read this book to learn something. If you've experienced this kind of mistreatment you should read it - it's a story you can identify with. If you have never experienced being an outsider, you should still read it to gain some insight into what it's like. And just because some people are different doesn't mean they need medication or social counseling, as other people seem to think!!!

I don't think I'm doing the story justice in this review, but words can't really describe it. Just read it - once you get past the intro, it's great. Even just to read how a real outsider feels.