Google It: A History In Google By Anna Crowley Redding
November 13, 2018
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Who doesn’t love a good backrub? I know it seems odd that I am opening up my letter today talking about something other than books and literary things. Stay with me though, I can explain. I am sure you have heard of the multi-billion dollar company, Google. But did you know that its original name was “Backrub” (no joke)? Well, I sure didn’t. If you are even slightly curious about this piece of Google history, then I urge you to check out Anna Crowley Redding’s hot new YA book, Google It: A History of Google. From Google’s modest beginning run out of a friend’s garage, to its current home in a three million square foot office complex on 68 acres of land, Crowley Redding takes her readers on a behind the scene adventure on how Google really came to be.
While reading Google It, readers will quickly discover that Google started off as a thesis project for Stanford University students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Crowley Redding dives right in by sharing how Page and Brin’s first computer server storage rack was built out of second hand “lego type” building blocks. She continues with how Jennifer Lopez’s infamous dress at the 2000 Grammy Awards was responsible for the creation of Google Images, how the events of September 11th prompted the development of Google News, and how automatic spell corrections during Google Search came about from the constant misspelling of Britney Spears’ name. This and so much more can be found between the covers of this incredible book.
The structure of Crowley Redding’s book is superb. She provides excellent sidebars that offer a plethora of fun tidbits for readers to enjoy. Crowley Redding introduces Page and Brin’s story in perfect chronological order starting from their individual childhoods to the future of Google. Her writing style is accessible and easy to digest for young adult and adult readers alike.
We are living in an age where technology is a part of our everyday lives. The days of looking up information in books and encyclopedias are long gone. It is so easy to take for granted how fast we can access information of any kind with a click of a mouse and how our cars practically drive themselves on autopilot because of Google Maps. Google It will no doubt highlight the advancements Google has made in the past 25+ years. Most importantly though, Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s true story will show you how impossible ideas can turn into something completely possible, influential, and life-changing for all of mankind. Their story of hard work and determination will inspire young ones to build the unimaginable with their plastic building blocks, code the next big video game and take us to places far far away.
Google It, by Anna Crowley Redding, is a book for now. It is not only a book filled with mind-blowing information but a book filled with dreams and inspiration. This story truly belongs on everyone’s bookshelf.
Read it, love it, share it, and for goodness sake…GOOGLE IT!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!
Your Biggest Fan,
Kelly
P.S. Anna Crowley Redding is a former Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter. Be on the lookout for her upcoming YA book, ELON MUSK: A Mission To Save The World (July 2019), and her picture book titled Rescuing The Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost The Words That Built America, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham (2020). This author is one to watch. Feel free to GOOGLE Anna Crowley Redding’s name. I’m sure you will find her at annacrowleyredding.com and @annacrowleyredding on FB and Instagram.
Click here to buy Google It: A History in Google By Anna Crowley Redding
