How Music Got Free
How Music Got Free
Book Brief
296
Book • Nonfiction
Global • 1990s
2015
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
How Music Got Free by Stephen Richard Witt traces the history of music piracy beyond Napster, detailing the creation of the MP3 format by German engineers, the rise of the "warez" scene, and the struggles of music industry moguls to adapt. Witt highlights Dell Glover's role in leaking thousands of albums while exploring the impacts on the industry and the advent of legal streaming.
Informative
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
7,878 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Stephen Richard Witt's How Music Got Free is acclaimed for its detailed exploration of the digital music revolution and its impact on the music industry. Critics laud Witt's engaging narrative and thorough research. However, some find the anecdotal style occasionally disjointed. Overall, it's a compelling read for those interested in technology and music history.
Who Should Read How Music Got Free?
Readers who enjoy How Music Got Free by Stephen Richard Witt are likely interested in the intersection of technology, music, and law. Fans of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and The Innovators by Walter Isaacson will appreciate the detailed narrative on piracy’s impact on the music industry. Tech enthusiasts and legal aficionados will find this book compelling.
7,878 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
How Music Got Free explores the evolution of digital music piracy and its impact on the global music industry, highlighting pivotal moments from the creation of the MP3 format to the rise of music piracy networks.
The book delves into the lives of three key figures: a research engineer, a music executive, and a factory worker, showing how their paths intersected to revolutionize how the world consumes music.
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Stephen Witt provides an in-depth look at the technical challenges and breakthroughs of audio compression technologies, revealing how these innovations led to widespread changes in how people access and share music.
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296
Book • Nonfiction
Global • 1990s
2015
Adult
18+ years
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