Picks and Shovels

'Picks and Shovels, Cory Doctorow's reconstruction of the rise of Silicon Valley, is note perfect. I love Marty and Art and all the main characters. I love the hope and the thrill that marks the opening section. But I love too the thesis that San Francisco always has failed and always will fail her suitors. Even in the sunlight of that time the shadows are lengthening. the seeds of enshittification are all there. Despite cultural entropy, corruption, greed and all the betrayals there's a core of hope and honour in the story too... And some damned good recipes that I have tucked away.' Stephen Fry