The Rise of Virtual Communities (PDF)

"Lots of people talk about community, but few know how to build it. To understand the history of internet communities, and be inspired to build your own, this is the book to read." - Mike Butcher, Editor-at-large, Tech Crunch

"Every start-up founder who goes through Y Combinator sees first-hand the power of being part of a community. Atherton's book provides a history of valuable insights for the next generation to build legendary communities upon." - Michael Seibel, Managing Director, Y-Combinator

"This book is an excellent read for any founder or leader looking to learn how to build community from the very best." - Jessica Sibley, CEO, TIME INC

"Reading this book is a masterclass in managing and designing communities.". - @GregIsenberg, Community Expert

Uncover the fascinating history of virtual communities and how we connect to each other online. The Rise of Virtual Communities, explores the earliest online community platforms, mapping the technological evolutions, and the individuals, that have shaped the culture of the internet.

Read in-depth interviews with the visionary founders of iconic online platforms, and uncover the history of virtual communities and how the industry has developed over time. Featuring never-before told stories, this exploration introduces new ideas and predictions for the future, explaining how we got here and challenging what we think we may know about building online communities.

• Learn what a virtual community is and how it has become an integral part of modern society

• Review key insights into building virtual communities and platforms from the founders and pioneers who created them

See what the current developments and the potential challenges are related to the future of virtual communities