True Names

By Vernor Vinge, Bob Walters (illustrator),

Book cover of True Names

Book description

A study of True Names, Vernor Vinge's critically acclaimed novella that invented the concept of cyberspace, features that complete text of the novella, as well as articles by Richard Stallman, John Markoff, Hans Moravec, Patricia Maes, Timothy May, and other cyberspace pioneers. Original.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked True Names as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This one doesn’t involve a game in the traditional sense but indulge me for a moment. Imagine an online world of subterfuge and countermoves where the stakes are the revelation of your true identity and the loss of your freedom. It's a world where digital avatars mask influential hackers determined to bring down real-world institutions, and the manipulative games they play against each other aren’t for points or pride, but power. This is the world of True Names, arguably the first book to lay the foundations of cyberspace fiction. This short 1981 novella is like an ancient artifact reflecting the…

From Ramsey's list on virtual reality games.

Want books like True Names?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like True Names.

Browse books like True Names

Book cover of Heir Apparent
Book cover of Ready Player One
Book cover of Warcross

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,355

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in virtual reality, cyberpunk, and presidential biography?

Virtual Reality 55 books
Cyberpunk 115 books