"Tubes: A Journey to the Center of the Internet" by Andrew Blum - This book takes readers on a tour of the physical infrastructure that underpins the internet, including the network of undersea cables that connect countries around the world.
"The Undersea Network" by Nicole Starosielski - This book explores the history and politics of undersea cables, including the way that they have been used to connect and control different parts of the world.
"The Global War for Internet Governance" by Laura DeNardis - This book examines the complex political and legal issues surrounding the governance of the internet, including the role of different countries and organizations in managing the global network.
"Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War" by Fred Kaplan - While this book is focused more broadly on the history of cyber war, it includes some fascinating details about the role that undersea cables have played in international conflicts and espionage.
"The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google" by Nicholas Carr - This book explores the history of technological infrastructure, including the development of the telegraph, telephone, and internet, and how these innovations have transformed the way we live and work.
“Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage” - Sherry Sontag & Christopher Drew - Indirect, but the title is the summary. I recommend familiarizing yourself with Operation Ivy Bells.
Ivy Bells is arguably the Cold War’s signature known clandestine undersea cable tapping operation. Contextualizes lengths nations will go to for physical access. It is far easier to own a cable than use a nuclear powered sub to sneakily deploy a tap.
Mine too. The consistent and concise formatting is part of it, but the lack of any actual expressed opinion about the books is the big trigger I think.
Weirdly at one point I would have thought being neutral and easily digestible would be positive qualities in a comment. How the world changes..
I feel like there was a Neal Stephenson book that touched on this too but can't remember which off the top of my head... Cryptonomicon? I mention it because I found no matter how many international relations, management books, etc. I go through, I almost always learn more from scifi.
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Remarks This book also has a copy of the Wired arrticle and is probably the superior way to read it. Wikipedia link so you can choose your own bookstore.
Neal Stephenson explored international internet infrastructure in other works as well:
Reamde (2011) involves the hijacking of an undersea fiber-optic cable and the resulting disruption of internet connectivity in various parts of the world.
Interface (1994) involves a corrupt presidential candidate who seeks to control the internet through the manipulation of network infrastructure
"The Undersea Network" by Nicole Starosielski - This book explores the history and politics of undersea cables, including the way that they have been used to connect and control different parts of the world.
"The Global War for Internet Governance" by Laura DeNardis - This book examines the complex political and legal issues surrounding the governance of the internet, including the role of different countries and organizations in managing the global network.
"Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War" by Fred Kaplan - While this book is focused more broadly on the history of cyber war, it includes some fascinating details about the role that undersea cables have played in international conflicts and espionage.
"The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google" by Nicholas Carr - This book explores the history of technological infrastructure, including the development of the telegraph, telephone, and internet, and how these innovations have transformed the way we live and work.