What do you think?
Rate this book
The Editors
Aim for Neutrality. We Need Better Sources. Anonymity is Fundamental. Keep Developing.
The editors know these principles. The editors follow them—or subvert them—every day. The editors aren’t recognized on the street, but they craft the information that is seen on nearly every internet search. Through Infopendium, the ubiquitous, crowd-sourced internet encyclopedia, the editors influence the world.
Freelance journalist Morgan Wentworth, recently laid off from PopFeed News, attends the Global Infopendium Conference in New York expecting a straightforward story to help pay the rent. But the so-called “‘pendium people” are full of surprises. PhDs rub shoulders with high school students, all quoting the project’s rules and regulations like a second language. Sure, millions of people see the facts curated by these editors, but who really cares about the free encyclopedia?
When a hacker attacks the conference and posts a cryptic message, it becomes clear that somebody does. And Morgan decides to find out who. But the path through an online information war is far from clear. Foreign governments, billionaires, and a global virus threaten to sway the truth on Infopendium.
And far from Morgan’s sight, in places as different as Beijing and Kansas, some of the editors have plans of their own . . .
The editors know these principles. The editors follow them—or subvert them—every day. The editors aren’t recognized on the street, but they craft the information that is seen on nearly every internet search. Through Infopendium, the ubiquitous, crowd-sourced internet encyclopedia, the editors influence the world.
Freelance journalist Morgan Wentworth, recently laid off from PopFeed News, attends the Global Infopendium Conference in New York expecting a straightforward story to help pay the rent. But the so-called “‘pendium people” are full of surprises. PhDs rub shoulders with high school students, all quoting the project’s rules and regulations like a second language. Sure, millions of people see the facts curated by these editors, but who really cares about the free encyclopedia?
When a hacker attacks the conference and posts a cryptic message, it becomes clear that somebody does. And Morgan decides to find out who. But the path through an online information war is far from clear. Foreign governments, billionaires, and a global virus threaten to sway the truth on Infopendium.
And far from Morgan’s sight, in places as different as Beijing and Kansas, some of the editors have plans of their own . . .
412 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2024
About the author
Stephen Harrison
1 book60 followersStephen Harrison is a writer and tech lawyer. His fiction and nonfiction pieces have appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, and Slate magazine. For the past five years, he has penned the column “Source Notes'' about Wikipedia and the world of facts on the internet.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
May 27, 2026
There was a time in the past when I thought writing and editing Wikipedia articles might be a hobby that I might enjoy getting into. I did expand one author's biographic information and thought I would do more later, but as time passed I ended up focusing my spare time on reading and writing book reviews. I never went back to my Wikipedia account.
Thus when I came across this novel I thought it might be a way for me to learn about the life I missed. This book creates the world of Wikipedia editing and administration, but since it's a novel with a twinge of the the conspiratorial thriller genre, the author has decided to move farther toward fictionalization by using the term "Infopendium" as the name for the on-line encyclopedia.
A number of the Goodreads.com reviews of this book seem to agree that this book's description of the behind the scene battles that go on over controversial subjects is pretty realistic. There are political, business, and private interests that would like to present the truth in their preferred way. When this in-fighting gets too extreme an administrator has to step in to make a judgment call on what stays.
The principle rules followed in judging the content of articles written are:
The story narrated by the novel takes place from 2019 into 2020, so the evolving pandemic is an issue. Chinese interests want to downplay its seriousness, others want to accentuate the subject. One scene I found of interest was a librarian asking a patron why she was wearing a mask (pandemic news hadn't yet reached USA). The patron replied that she had a relative in Vietnam who told her about a pandemic. (i.e. Word of mouth news was spreading faster than official news.)
In an environment like this it's obvious that administrative editors who function as referees in disputes play an important role in settling disputes. The approval of who gets to be an administrator is voted on by other administrators and their candidacy is judged based on their past editing work. They are required to get seventy-five percent positive votes within a defined time in order to be approved. Campaigning is not allowed, but they are allowed to answer critical questions. One such election is portrayed in this book.
All this editing and voting is exciting, but this is a novel and needs dramatic action. Thus the plot develops into a stressful plot which evolves into a battle between the those on the good side and those on the bad side. A diehard advocate of old ways manages to hack Infopendium off line . A paid commercial competing on-line encyclopedia threatens to provide "better" truth. Feelings are intense, and a gun even gets pulled at one point. There's even a romance of sorts.
It's a pretty good story, so if you have any interest in a fictionalized view of what goes on behind the scenes at Wikipedia you might give this book a try.
Thus when I came across this novel I thought it might be a way for me to learn about the life I missed. This book creates the world of Wikipedia editing and administration, but since it's a novel with a twinge of the the conspiratorial thriller genre, the author has decided to move farther toward fictionalization by using the term "Infopendium" as the name for the on-line encyclopedia.
A number of the Goodreads.com reviews of this book seem to agree that this book's description of the behind the scene battles that go on over controversial subjects is pretty realistic. There are political, business, and private interests that would like to present the truth in their preferred way. When this in-fighting gets too extreme an administrator has to step in to make a judgment call on what stays.
The principle rules followed in judging the content of articles written are:
Aim for Neutrality.I knew the editing was open and volunteer, but I didn't realize that anonymity was an issue. In this book's narrative there are repeated instances when one editor submits an article (or edit) and another person recommends that it be subject to early deletion because of inadequate sources or lack of neutrality. Then other editors vote on whether it will be deleted or changed. Some editors with strong feelings of certain subjects would set up extra sock-puppet accounts to cast votes supporting their positions. Some editors sold their services to rich people to arrange to have their biographic data changed.
We Need Better Sources.
Anonymity is Fundamental.
Keep Developing.
The story narrated by the novel takes place from 2019 into 2020, so the evolving pandemic is an issue. Chinese interests want to downplay its seriousness, others want to accentuate the subject. One scene I found of interest was a librarian asking a patron why she was wearing a mask (pandemic news hadn't yet reached USA). The patron replied that she had a relative in Vietnam who told her about a pandemic. (i.e. Word of mouth news was spreading faster than official news.)
In an environment like this it's obvious that administrative editors who function as referees in disputes play an important role in settling disputes. The approval of who gets to be an administrator is voted on by other administrators and their candidacy is judged based on their past editing work. They are required to get seventy-five percent positive votes within a defined time in order to be approved. Campaigning is not allowed, but they are allowed to answer critical questions. One such election is portrayed in this book.
All this editing and voting is exciting, but this is a novel and needs dramatic action. Thus the plot develops into a stressful plot which evolves into a battle between the those on the good side and those on the bad side. A diehard advocate of old ways manages to hack Infopendium off line . A paid commercial competing on-line encyclopedia threatens to provide "better" truth. Feelings are intense, and a gun even gets pulled at one point. There's even a romance of sorts.
It's a pretty good story, so if you have any interest in a fictionalized view of what goes on behind the scenes at Wikipedia you might give this book a try.
January 6, 2026
“It was as if his body and mind had snapped into peak form, all cylinders firing in perfect synchrony. The way that it’s supposed to feel. Because he was editing in the right way, for the right reasons. Constructing knowledge without a social agenda; pushing pure, objective facts onto the site.”
————————-
When I first started this, I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it. But the more I read the more I wanted to read. Partly this came from how close this was to all of our lived experiences of misinformation campaigns during the pandemic. Partly because Harrison provided a truly diverse cast of characters with different motivations, personal histories, and narrative voices.
I found myself really rooting for their success in the face of pretty awful odds and seemingly intractable money and power in opposition to truth and “good“. There were a few reveals and twists that I didn’t see coming, which I always appreciate.
I think this is a good reminder to practice caution and critical thinking when consuming information from *any* source. I kept thinking back to the critical thinking classes in college that taught us how to evaluate authors and works for intended audience/outcomes, and how important those skills have become today.
This was a very immersive, well paced, and engaging debut novel that I’m glad was put in my path!
————————-
When I first started this, I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it. But the more I read the more I wanted to read. Partly this came from how close this was to all of our lived experiences of misinformation campaigns during the pandemic. Partly because Harrison provided a truly diverse cast of characters with different motivations, personal histories, and narrative voices.
I found myself really rooting for their success in the face of pretty awful odds and seemingly intractable money and power in opposition to truth and “good“. There were a few reveals and twists that I didn’t see coming, which I always appreciate.
I think this is a good reminder to practice caution and critical thinking when consuming information from *any* source. I kept thinking back to the critical thinking classes in college that taught us how to evaluate authors and works for intended audience/outcomes, and how important those skills have become today.
This was a very immersive, well paced, and engaging debut novel that I’m glad was put in my path!
July 8, 2024
If you would like to read a dramatized story about some editor feuds on a very Wikipedia-like online encyclopedia called Infopendium then this book is for you. I am just that kind of person and it was nice to "feel seen" with this story. I also do a fair amount of editing on Wikipedia.
There are a wide range of characters here: a teen Infopendium editor looking at becoming an admin, a Chinese-American who is living in China who is a paid editor, a Uyghur young man trying to speak truth to Chinese power, a journalist trying to live up to her dad’s legacy, and a social justice-motivated librarian trying to make Infopendium more balanced and representative (no surprise I related to this character the most possibly). Oh and a crank who tried to take it all down, motivated by his own personal backstory. And a billionaire--of course, I feel like every book must have at least one billionaire lately--and the well-meaning doofus who set the whole thing up who has been trying to figure out its direction as the world changes around it. Also there is a pandemic going on while the story shakes out. Which, if you followed Wikipedia during the pandemic you'd know, is a whole other big deal.
You might know the author, Harrison is a journalist who has written a newsletter about Wikipedia stuff for a while. He sent this ARC to me after asking me to read a sample chapter a while ago. The final product was even better than the chapter. I’m not sure how this book would read to people who aren’t fairly deep-in Wikipedia culture nerds. I've been a Wikipedia editor for almost twenty years. I feel like its stories are everyone's stories. I'll be interested to see what other people have to say about it.
There are a wide range of characters here: a teen Infopendium editor looking at becoming an admin, a Chinese-American who is living in China who is a paid editor, a Uyghur young man trying to speak truth to Chinese power, a journalist trying to live up to her dad’s legacy, and a social justice-motivated librarian trying to make Infopendium more balanced and representative (no surprise I related to this character the most possibly). Oh and a crank who tried to take it all down, motivated by his own personal backstory. And a billionaire--of course, I feel like every book must have at least one billionaire lately--and the well-meaning doofus who set the whole thing up who has been trying to figure out its direction as the world changes around it. Also there is a pandemic going on while the story shakes out. Which, if you followed Wikipedia during the pandemic you'd know, is a whole other big deal.
You might know the author, Harrison is a journalist who has written a newsletter about Wikipedia stuff for a while. He sent this ARC to me after asking me to read a sample chapter a while ago. The final product was even better than the chapter. I’m not sure how this book would read to people who aren’t fairly deep-in Wikipedia culture nerds. I've been a Wikipedia editor for almost twenty years. I feel like its stories are everyone's stories. I'll be interested to see what other people have to say about it.
May 5, 2024
4.5☆ Highly enjoyable
An intelligent, high-stakes, technological suspense thriller about the global propaganda wars that threaten the freedom of information.
Told through multiple perspectives of various online editors who all anonymously compete for differing motives. These motives clash in a deadly frenzy as the world experiences some shocking developments.
Each character is rich with their diverse culture and personality, and I suspect a representation of neurodiversity in here too! Representation of each character was surprisingly convincing and respectful. Character interaction was immersive, the plot builds momentum quickly, and there are many twists to enjoy.
I could feel the dread seeping off the pages, particularly around that all-too-familiar resemblance to the pandemic no one wants to remember.
Highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley, Stephen Harrison and InkShares publishers for this advanced readers copy.
An intelligent, high-stakes, technological suspense thriller about the global propaganda wars that threaten the freedom of information.
Told through multiple perspectives of various online editors who all anonymously compete for differing motives. These motives clash in a deadly frenzy as the world experiences some shocking developments.
Each character is rich with their diverse culture and personality, and I suspect a representation of neurodiversity in here too! Representation of each character was surprisingly convincing and respectful. Character interaction was immersive, the plot builds momentum quickly, and there are many twists to enjoy.
I could feel the dread seeping off the pages, particularly around that all-too-familiar resemblance to the pandemic no one wants to remember.
Highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley, Stephen Harrison and InkShares publishers for this advanced readers copy.
April 29, 2024
To be perfectly honest, i picked this book for the cover. Even the first few chapters had me second guessing myself. However the further i went into the book the more n was spellbound by it. Overall it’s a fascinating topic with current topics of Wikipedia and state controlled media. I thoroughly enjoyed this surprise book i picked up!
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2024
This is such a well written thriller that does a great job combining technology with a unique plot. There are a lot of characters, but they each have a unique storyline which makes them easy to follow.
I loved the snippets of entries and comments, it's a fun way to follow along! I was super invested throughout this whole book and couldn't wait to see what happened next!
This is *almost* too real, which makes it even creepier!! The author did a great job writing this, it was so much fun to read!
I loved the snippets of entries and comments, it's a fun way to follow along! I was super invested throughout this whole book and couldn't wait to see what happened next!
This is *almost* too real, which makes it even creepier!! The author did a great job writing this, it was so much fun to read!
May 18, 2024
A fast-paced story that unravels as editors of an online encyclopedia race to uphold the tenets they value in the site! Harrison expertly weaves together a cast of characters who paint a varied picture of how they edit, view, and use the site. It reads like an action-packed quest to save something truly important to the whole world. I’ll never think of Wikipedia in the same way!
November 10, 2024
THIS BOOK. EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS.
This unexpected thriller by Stephen Harrison unveils the bleak reality of information access in the “age of information.”
“The Editors” follows the eclectic volunteer editors of “Infopedium,” a fictional Wikipedia analogue as they navigate the emergence of Covid, large scale corporate interference, and targeted insidious efforts to subvert the truth and spread misinformation.
In doing so it questions the biases of who tells “the truth” and the veracity of the information we ingest on a daily basis, not just from Wikipedia but from reliable newspapers and popular media stations. It illuminates how big corporations can influence narratives and push far right agendas and misinformation that spreads conspiracy theories, mistrust, confusion, hate, and in the case of Covid, death.
Told through four wildly different perspectives each with their own stark biases, “The editors” provides a pretty comprehensive look at the people providing the public with the information we rely on and accept as the truth.
For a book basically about Wikipedia it’s an incredibly intense high stakes political/investigative thriller.
In short, It’s Fun. Harrison doesn’t stop at providing crucial cultural and social commentary. He gives you everything you want in a book, Guys getting arrested by the Chinese government, corrupt billionaires, corporate espionage, journalists being held at gunpoint, the threat of an unknown pandemic, chase scenes, narrow escapes, and even a bit of romance.
Not one bit of this book was boring
With all the misinformation being spread around right now, this book is a must read to help people understand the inherent agenda and biases of all the media they take for granted.
Seriously would recommend to anyone.
This unexpected thriller by Stephen Harrison unveils the bleak reality of information access in the “age of information.”
“The Editors” follows the eclectic volunteer editors of “Infopedium,” a fictional Wikipedia analogue as they navigate the emergence of Covid, large scale corporate interference, and targeted insidious efforts to subvert the truth and spread misinformation.
In doing so it questions the biases of who tells “the truth” and the veracity of the information we ingest on a daily basis, not just from Wikipedia but from reliable newspapers and popular media stations. It illuminates how big corporations can influence narratives and push far right agendas and misinformation that spreads conspiracy theories, mistrust, confusion, hate, and in the case of Covid, death.
Told through four wildly different perspectives each with their own stark biases, “The editors” provides a pretty comprehensive look at the people providing the public with the information we rely on and accept as the truth.
For a book basically about Wikipedia it’s an incredibly intense high stakes political/investigative thriller.
In short, It’s Fun. Harrison doesn’t stop at providing crucial cultural and social commentary. He gives you everything you want in a book, Guys getting arrested by the Chinese government, corrupt billionaires, corporate espionage, journalists being held at gunpoint, the threat of an unknown pandemic, chase scenes, narrow escapes, and even a bit of romance.
Not one bit of this book was boring
With all the misinformation being spread around right now, this book is a must read to help people understand the inherent agenda and biases of all the media they take for granted.
Seriously would recommend to anyone.
October 13, 2024
This is my first time reading a book about something with which I am so familiar - the personalities and people behind Wikipedia editing. And I found it to be quite accurate…from the long term editors, young upstarts, librarians, anonymous editors, to all the Wikidrama (as I call it) that takes place around these people. But, you don’t need to be a Wikipedia editor to enjoy this book. Harris creates delightful cast of characters and the storyline spans two countries (China and the US).
March 9, 2025
As a fan of Wikipedia page histories, I knew this tale of obsession, love, and Infopendium (where editors battle for neutrality, better sources, and to keep developing) would be a fun read right from the start. Set at the start of the COVID pandemic, the effects of both isolation and misinformation haunt the pages, with lots of twists, turns, and tensions along the way. An enjoyable and thought provoking read.
November 15, 2024
Not my normal type of read but I really enjoyed this one!
July 3, 2024
A story unlike the others… I really enjoyed reading something that has not been presented in the literature as much (or maybe I just haven’t seen it before). I think it shows the true representation of the ‘trustworthiness’ of various information sources online that many can find, and how those can have an impact one people’s lives. The storyline gets progressively more intriguing with every page turned.
I did find myself a bit lost at the start with all the various POVs, however they were truly vital to the understanding of various aspects of the storyline.
The characters had different personality all of which had quite likeable traits - Although I must say that Morgan will have to be my favourite. It was refreshing to see each character having different contributions to the plot, and the ending was amazing too!
I did find myself a bit lost at the start with all the various POVs, however they were truly vital to the understanding of various aspects of the storyline.
The characters had different personality all of which had quite likeable traits - Although I must say that Morgan will have to be my favourite. It was refreshing to see each character having different contributions to the plot, and the ending was amazing too!
January 3, 2025
If you wonder how Wikipedia behind scenes works, this book is for you. If you are a Wikipedia editor and part of the community, this book is for you. If you are fighting misinformation on Wikipedia, this book is for you. It took me some time to read the book as it brought me to think 💭 about the Wikipedia community and the editing wars and arguments that editors find themselves in. I recommend this novel for those who are interested in the current history of the internet 🛜
The audio accompanying the book 📖 is a great way to submerge yourself into it.
The audio accompanying the book 📖 is a great way to submerge yourself into it.
June 1, 2025
I was given my copy of the book at Wikipedia Day 2025 and had a chance to chat with the author. As a longtime Wikipedian who was in high school trawling the “List of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada” page for vandalism, The Editors hits close to home. While dramatized, I hope others who read the book will appreciate the efforts of the thousands of volunteers who fight against vandals, bias, paid editing, state-sponsored disinformation, and everything else.
July 29, 2024
This book ended up being a DNF for me. I tried to get into it but it didn’t hold my attention
August 14, 2025
‘The Editors’ is a fast-paced, multi-character driven story dealing with the idea of misinformation and the question of who really writes history. It used to be the victors; now, as per this novel, it seems to be those who shout the loudest which, I suppose, is not that far from our reality.
Reading this book in a world of social media and Sky News, Rupert Murdoch and celebrity podcasters, it’s almost as depressing as it is prescient.
The novel cleverly gives us a host of characters, different types of editors, with our main character still representing an older guard of information – journalism. The others are users of Infopendium – a Wikipedia-esque online encyclopaedia that anybody can edit, providing they can get their inserts past a team of fastidious senior editors.
Within this tranche of characters, you have the idealist younger editors, keen to avoid any kind of antagonising moves; an older, “original” editor with an aversion to any kind of DEI submissions; a hungry start-up entrepreneur with questionable morals and ethics; and a range of other secondary characters.
I enjoyed the sections around the various edits – it was interesting to get some insight into the conversations that go on in the backend. I also thought many of the ‘editors’ had solid, unique voices and were easily discernible from each other.
The book is also very well rooted in the real world; Morgan is a struggling journalist, indicative of an industry that has seen massive upheaval; Nevin becomes embroiled in suppressing information around the Chinese treatment of the Uyghur people and a little pandemic that we are all too familiar with; and Ed is a stark illustration of the kind of pig-headed steadfastness that shuts down any kind of debate in today’s society, even in the face of evidence.
The book unravels its plot and mystery well, with the weight of real-life happenings in the background.
I did think the setup dragged a little bit but Harrison is skilful enough in never letting us drift too long on one character. There were elements of suspension of disbelief that made my eyebrow raise a little higher than it’s use to but nothing too outrageous.
I did feel that some of the relationships developed in a bizarre way – Morgan and Zordun was very out of the blue – and the whole conflict was resolved a little too easily for my liking in the end. I thought the author missed an opportunity to have a real clash of ideologies between Morgan and Ed, but maybe he was trying to make the point that there is no point to trying for reasonable dialogue anymore.
My thanks to Inkshares, via NetGalley for an eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Reading this book in a world of social media and Sky News, Rupert Murdoch and celebrity podcasters, it’s almost as depressing as it is prescient.
The novel cleverly gives us a host of characters, different types of editors, with our main character still representing an older guard of information – journalism. The others are users of Infopendium – a Wikipedia-esque online encyclopaedia that anybody can edit, providing they can get their inserts past a team of fastidious senior editors.
Within this tranche of characters, you have the idealist younger editors, keen to avoid any kind of antagonising moves; an older, “original” editor with an aversion to any kind of DEI submissions; a hungry start-up entrepreneur with questionable morals and ethics; and a range of other secondary characters.
I enjoyed the sections around the various edits – it was interesting to get some insight into the conversations that go on in the backend. I also thought many of the ‘editors’ had solid, unique voices and were easily discernible from each other.
The book is also very well rooted in the real world; Morgan is a struggling journalist, indicative of an industry that has seen massive upheaval; Nevin becomes embroiled in suppressing information around the Chinese treatment of the Uyghur people and a little pandemic that we are all too familiar with; and Ed is a stark illustration of the kind of pig-headed steadfastness that shuts down any kind of debate in today’s society, even in the face of evidence.
The book unravels its plot and mystery well, with the weight of real-life happenings in the background.
I did think the setup dragged a little bit but Harrison is skilful enough in never letting us drift too long on one character. There were elements of suspension of disbelief that made my eyebrow raise a little higher than it’s use to but nothing too outrageous.
I did feel that some of the relationships developed in a bizarre way – Morgan and Zordun was very out of the blue – and the whole conflict was resolved a little too easily for my liking in the end. I thought the author missed an opportunity to have a real clash of ideologies between Morgan and Ed, but maybe he was trying to make the point that there is no point to trying for reasonable dialogue anymore.
My thanks to Inkshares, via NetGalley for an eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2025
This book is not one that is typically in my wheelhouse, but when I read the synopsis through Goodreads giveaways, I was intrigued. I was lucky enough to win one of the copies. Though it took me about 200 pages to become fully invested (which could have been partially because I was picking up the book while exhausted), once I was in, I was hooked. I felt that I couldn't read fast enough because I could feel the sense of urgency the characters had while trying to fight for the right of free press and accurate reporting, which eventually became a plight to solve the mystery of who was pushing so hard for that to be taken away and how they could reverse some critical technology breaches. I found that comprehending the intricacies of the "back side" of an online encyclopedia to be attainable even though I have no prior experience. There are only two minor qualms I had with the story - one, I wish I would have gotten to learn more about the main characters outside of their ties to Infopendium, and two, I was disappointed that I didn't ever get an answer to the biggest question that spanned the book, even though perhaps the non-answer is an answer in itself. Overall, I found the book to be a timely and poignant cautionary tale of the age of digital (and even written and spoken) media and how censorship and people who have specific agendas and biases can skew the feeds. It is a reminder that we should all be aware of our sources and their motivations before ascertaining that the information we are presented is indeed fact.
August 18, 2024
The Editors is a fast-paced, easy to read, enjoyable novel. The characters are realistic and relatable. But what sets the book apart is the setting - it's a novel that centres on our experience of the internet - and the backdrop of the pandemic.
On the surface, it centres around a a group of contributors to Infopendium, a fictionalised version of Wikipedia, and a journalist trying to find her way in a new world where traditional media is dying. But below that, it's a book of the battle over knowledge creation, inclusion, and disinformation, about the way that the narrative is constructed, in the modern era.
The characters (with the notable exception of Gerald Budd, the founder of Infopendium) don't correspond directly to real Wikipedians, but they would fit right in with the real community. As for Gerald Budd, while there's necessary overlap between him and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, they diverge in many crucial ways.
I pre-ordered this book as soon as learned of its existence, confident in Stephen Harrison's ability to capture Wikipedia as few other journalists have been able to. But I had no idea I'd enjoy the story nearly as much as I did. It was one of the most enjoyable reads I've experienced in long while.
On the surface, it centres around a a group of contributors to Infopendium, a fictionalised version of Wikipedia, and a journalist trying to find her way in a new world where traditional media is dying. But below that, it's a book of the battle over knowledge creation, inclusion, and disinformation, about the way that the narrative is constructed, in the modern era.
The characters (with the notable exception of Gerald Budd, the founder of Infopendium) don't correspond directly to real Wikipedians, but they would fit right in with the real community. As for Gerald Budd, while there's necessary overlap between him and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, they diverge in many crucial ways.
I pre-ordered this book as soon as learned of its existence, confident in Stephen Harrison's ability to capture Wikipedia as few other journalists have been able to. But I had no idea I'd enjoy the story nearly as much as I did. It was one of the most enjoyable reads I've experienced in long while.
August 22, 2024
Harrison Delivers a Nuanced Take on Modern Issues, Exploring Truth in a World of Gray
"The Editors" is a gripping novel that vividly brings the information wars to life with remarkable authenticity. Through a diverse cast of characters, Harrison skillfully explores the virtues and pitfalls of various worldviews. The narrative excels in presenting a realistic world where issues are not black and white, but instead, are filled with complex shades of gray.
Harrison’s writing invites readers to empathize with even the antagonists, creating a compelling tension between moral ambiguity and the recognition that, ultimately, some facts remain incontrovertible. The novel prompts readers to grapple with questions of truth and opinion in a world shaped by economics and realpolitik, while also underscoring the undeniable clarity of certain truths.
With its nuanced portrayal of a multifaceted world, "The Editors" stands out for its authentic depiction of contemporary issues. Highly recommended.
"The Editors" is a gripping novel that vividly brings the information wars to life with remarkable authenticity. Through a diverse cast of characters, Harrison skillfully explores the virtues and pitfalls of various worldviews. The narrative excels in presenting a realistic world where issues are not black and white, but instead, are filled with complex shades of gray.
Harrison’s writing invites readers to empathize with even the antagonists, creating a compelling tension between moral ambiguity and the recognition that, ultimately, some facts remain incontrovertible. The novel prompts readers to grapple with questions of truth and opinion in a world shaped by economics and realpolitik, while also underscoring the undeniable clarity of certain truths.
With its nuanced portrayal of a multifaceted world, "The Editors" stands out for its authentic depiction of contemporary issues. Highly recommended.
August 23, 2024
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this book but I was very quickly transported into the story.
This was a different kind of thriller. It was a technological thriller centering around a free online encyclopedia database very similar to Wikipedia. The Editors are the ones devoting their time and in some cases their lives to maintaining the integrity of the information being submitted. Just like with any technology, the database can be taken over by hackers and when it finally happens these editors come out from behind their keyboards to bring down the culprit.
I thought this was an interesting premise and I was very intrigued by the characters. All of these characters could have been real people that were very relatable.
I liked how the story flowed and we were given the perspectives of all of the characters. The story was very thrilling and I had to find out what was going to happen next.
I definitely look forward to more from this author. Thank you so much to the publisher, Inkshares, for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This was a different kind of thriller. It was a technological thriller centering around a free online encyclopedia database very similar to Wikipedia. The Editors are the ones devoting their time and in some cases their lives to maintaining the integrity of the information being submitted. Just like with any technology, the database can be taken over by hackers and when it finally happens these editors come out from behind their keyboards to bring down the culprit.
I thought this was an interesting premise and I was very intrigued by the characters. All of these characters could have been real people that were very relatable.
I liked how the story flowed and we were given the perspectives of all of the characters. The story was very thrilling and I had to find out what was going to happen next.
I definitely look forward to more from this author. Thank you so much to the publisher, Inkshares, for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2024
The Editors is an intriguing tale of Wikipedia in time of Covid and the people who work behind the scenes to keep the articles up and running and as accurate (or favorable to their own interests) as possible. I had a lot of fun reading this book and not only does the story keep you on your toes with lots of twists, turns and surprises, but the characters are memorable and I enjoyed it immensely! Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 31, 2024
I must say, this book was a captivating journey. The two narrators had engaging voices that brought Harrison's prose to life. The way the story unfolded in audio format allowed me to immerse myself fully in the narrative, experiencing the nuances of the characters and their interactions in a vivid and compelling way. I will never read another Wikipedia page again without thinking about who the authors of the page were!
When is Harrison’s next book coming out?!
When is Harrison’s next book coming out?!
January 14, 2025
The Editors is a captivating blend of action-packed storytelling and of-the-moment relevance. Harrison tackles the grave topics of misinformation and culture wars with humanity and nuance, taking readers on a suspenseful ride through the eyes of his characters. If you enjoy smart stories with irresistible characters that drag you into fascinating new worlds (in this case, Harrison’s fictional Wikipedia, Infopendium), you will love The Editors.
September 4, 2025
Typical disclaimer that I won a copy of this book via Goodreads give away, however that did not change my review. okay let's get into it!
YA'LL. I'm a 1984 girlie. I have over 6 copies of 1984 and I will never apologize for it. The Editors is like a modern 1984 but with more twists and turns. I could not put this book down to save my life, sorry to work and my friends who I ignored while reading. I've hyped this book to everyone I know and you should too.
YA'LL. I'm a 1984 girlie. I have over 6 copies of 1984 and I will never apologize for it. The Editors is like a modern 1984 but with more twists and turns. I could not put this book down to save my life, sorry to work and my friends who I ignored while reading. I've hyped this book to everyone I know and you should too.
August 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, I was lucky enough to receive this from the publisher! I read it so fast because I was invested in the story and wanted to know what was going to happen! I loved the different points of view and felt like there were so many motives behind everything. The only reason I gave it a 4 was because there were a lot of things going on which felt a little overwhelming but overall a book that I would recommend!
August 26, 2024
A very interesting take on editing. A spin-off of a Wikipedia encyclopedia that a diverse group of editors monitor for accuracy. Definitely very thorough research and very interesting plot. The characters were very developed and a very diverse group and I enjoyed the thoughts and outlook each one had. I definitely recommend reading this. Thanks to #bobimedia for the copy.
September 21, 2024
This is the world in which we live
Harrison (no relation) has touched on the reality of the digital world in which we live. Taking the perspectives of several key characters, he shows the dangers and hopes of this world. A fun read.
Harrison (no relation) has touched on the reality of the digital world in which we live. Taking the perspectives of several key characters, he shows the dangers and hopes of this world. A fun read.
April 8, 2025
A lovely book that captures well what drives people to edit Wikipedia and some of what goes on behind the scenes.
August 19, 2024
An exceptional and unique thriller novel about the the often overlooked stakes involved in contermporary information wars. Stephen Harrison has written an incredibly entertaining and informative book - one that anyone who wants to understand the impact of Wikipedia should read.
August 29, 2024
Must read. Couldn't put it down
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews