This is a very competently written account of the development of 'Facebook'. It tells the inside story from the point - of- view of those inside, including the one most inside of all , Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. It repeatedly makes the point that Zuckerberg's dedication to his initial vision focusing on 'transparency' and a world in which there is more and more open communication enabled him to time and again avoid advertising and money- temptations which would have stopped the 'Facebook' momentum. Kirkpatrick shows how Zuckerberg was helped by and learned from many others in the course of 'Facebook's development. He tells about critical developments in financing the organization. He is especially good in discussing the innovations which enabled Facebook to outstrip its rivals. He tells the story of expansion to new publics and how even in the early days of adding new universities to the site Zuckerberg knew how to wisely pace this. My own problem with the book and perhaps with 'Facebook' itself although I am not an active participant in it, and am therefore not the best authority for this, is my sense of lack of depth and real thought as to its meanings and implication. Zuckerberg 's character is not really analyzed in depth by Kirkpatrick. Perhaps there is not that much depth to analyze but still there is almost nothing said about his family, his social and political loyalties, his personal relationships. The examples given of social and political changes which 'Facebook' have enabled still do not indicate that it will be a major player in determining the political future of Mankind.