What do you think?
Rate this book
One Byte At A Time: A Memoir
It was the mid-1990's when I first discovered chatting online through Bulletin Board Systems. This discovery changed my life and led to some of the greatest, and not so greatest, times of my life. This medium allowed a shy, sex-obsessed 20 something to push beyond the boundaries of his analog life. Follow my adventure if you'd like to see what came before the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2021
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Lee Lovelace
13 books2 followersThe author is a fifty something dude who hasn't quite grown up. As long as he can remember,
he wanted to be a writer but kept putting it off until he finally managed to get his act together.
A number of years ago he fell in love with The
Appalachian Trail and all things hiking related.
He lives a full-time RV life with his wife, Michelle, and two golden retrievers, Sawyer, and
Finn. He is constantly traveling with his family
while pretending to do a remote "real" job so he
can take their money while also writing.
he wanted to be a writer but kept putting it off until he finally managed to get his act together.
A number of years ago he fell in love with The
Appalachian Trail and all things hiking related.
He lives a full-time RV life with his wife, Michelle, and two golden retrievers, Sawyer, and
Finn. He is constantly traveling with his family
while pretending to do a remote "real" job so he
can take their money while also writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 31, 2024
**A Journey through Chat Era**
Spoiler alert! You’ve been warned!
********
In "One Byte at a Time," the author delves into the transformative landscape of the 1990s chat era, particularly focusing on the Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) that became a virtual refuge for many, including our protagonist—a father and sailor grappling with the aftermath of his divorce. This memoir is a raw and unfiltered exploration of his life, marked by poignant honesty about his past, his relationships, and the emotional complexities of fatherhood.
The backdrop of the BBS and early online communities adds a unique dimension to the narrative. The author paints a vivid picture of the geek culture of the time, showcasing how these digital spaces provided solace and camaraderie for introverts like him. Here, he found a sense of belonging and a platform to express his thoughts, fears, and desires—an outlet that was both liberating and confining.
The story unfolds as the author reflects on his tumultuous journey, revealing the brutal realities of his failed marriage, including the affair that catalyzed its end. He does not shy away from discussing his sexual life and attractions, presenting a candid portrait of a man navigating the world of women with both eagerness and regret. His transparency about these experiences resonates deeply, inviting readers to ponder the nature of intimacy and connection in a society often hesitant to embrace vulnerability.
A significant theme in the book is the pain of relinquishing his parental rights of his daughter. The author articulates the profound heartbreak that accompanies this decision, juxtaposing it with his enduring love for his children. His reflections on fatherhood are touching and sincere, highlighting the inner conflict between his desires and his responsibilities. It’s this complexity that makes him relatable; he is not a hero nor a villain but a flawed individual striving for understanding and redemption.
Overall, "One Byte at a Time" is a compelling read that captures the essence of a man wrestling with his past while seeking to forge meaningful connections in a rapidly changing world. The book’s brutal honesty and emotional depth make it a thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of being human. It stands as a testament to the power of vulnerability and the enduring quest for connection, resonating with anyone who has faced their own struggles in the realm of relationships and identity.
Spoiler alert! You’ve been warned!
********
In "One Byte at a Time," the author delves into the transformative landscape of the 1990s chat era, particularly focusing on the Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) that became a virtual refuge for many, including our protagonist—a father and sailor grappling with the aftermath of his divorce. This memoir is a raw and unfiltered exploration of his life, marked by poignant honesty about his past, his relationships, and the emotional complexities of fatherhood.
The backdrop of the BBS and early online communities adds a unique dimension to the narrative. The author paints a vivid picture of the geek culture of the time, showcasing how these digital spaces provided solace and camaraderie for introverts like him. Here, he found a sense of belonging and a platform to express his thoughts, fears, and desires—an outlet that was both liberating and confining.
The story unfolds as the author reflects on his tumultuous journey, revealing the brutal realities of his failed marriage, including the affair that catalyzed its end. He does not shy away from discussing his sexual life and attractions, presenting a candid portrait of a man navigating the world of women with both eagerness and regret. His transparency about these experiences resonates deeply, inviting readers to ponder the nature of intimacy and connection in a society often hesitant to embrace vulnerability.
A significant theme in the book is the pain of relinquishing his parental rights of his daughter. The author articulates the profound heartbreak that accompanies this decision, juxtaposing it with his enduring love for his children. His reflections on fatherhood are touching and sincere, highlighting the inner conflict between his desires and his responsibilities. It’s this complexity that makes him relatable; he is not a hero nor a villain but a flawed individual striving for understanding and redemption.
Overall, "One Byte at a Time" is a compelling read that captures the essence of a man wrestling with his past while seeking to forge meaningful connections in a rapidly changing world. The book’s brutal honesty and emotional depth make it a thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of being human. It stands as a testament to the power of vulnerability and the enduring quest for connection, resonating with anyone who has faced their own struggles in the realm of relationships and identity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2025
Very interesting read. Fun to stumble into memoirs and kind of self-published stuff. This isn't fine literature but the stories are super fascinating. And it's sort of amazing that someone would write this vividly about stuff this personal. It begs questions like "How much of this is true?" , "How much of this stuff is misremembered?", "How much of this stuff is embellished?"
Unless you keep a diary or journal, you're generally not going to remember the day-to-day of things in great detail, even illicit details. So I gotta believe that there's at least some imagination filling in details. But such is the way with any good story really
Unless you keep a diary or journal, you're generally not going to remember the day-to-day of things in great detail, even illicit details. So I gotta believe that there's at least some imagination filling in details. But such is the way with any good story really
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews