Written by leading industry figures, The Inside Story of Interactive TV and Microsoft WebTV for Windows is an excellent, if nontechnical, examination of the emerging WebTV technology and an equally excellent, if biased, guide to the short history of its development.

Although the subject matter is handled without repetition, hesitation, or deviation, the book reads more like a collection of feature-length articles than a fully integrated book. This approach works well, since the authors' enthusiasm is maintained throughout. (The book includes various notables from Microsoft and its partner, NBC, and producers involved with the production of material for "enhanced" TV.) Helpful diagrams and screen shots complement the text. In the first chapter, Larry Namer, president of Comspan Communications, gives an excellent but meandering overview of WebTV's background and aims. Three case studies show how new technologies available to programmers help them enhance their content.

WebTV made its start in the U.S., but with limited success. One criticism that could be leveled against this title is that it is somewhat overawed by WebTV's potential and slow to recognize the very serious problems that stand in the way of its development. It also lacks an international perspective and doesn't address issues involved with European, Asian, or U.K.-based implementations of WebTV. Still, this book does give the "inside story" and is an excellent overview of U.S.-based enhanced and interactive TV. --Josh Smith, amazon.co.uk

Interactive Television is a budding, yet potentially revolutionary, technology application. The future of the Internet, World Wide Web, and television are marching towards a shared and interconnected future, where the Web and television will eventually be linked. In this book, David Feinleib tells the real inside story of the people and companies that took the risk to enter this next age of television and computer. Here you will find the insights of both the individuals and companies that are exploring this digital, interactive future.* First-hand accounts of industry veterans who made the decision to explore new forms of television and the Internet.* Complete narration of the adverse set of issues as told by advertising agency executives, producers of popular favorite television shows, and everyone in between.* Tells the evolution of Interactive Television, offers a technical reference to the new technologies involved, and details case studies of the cutting-edge companies that have begun to bring interactive content to the public today.