In case anyone is interested in the history of MP3 I found
How Music Got Free by Stephen Witt to be a very interesting read.
It covers its various developers, its coding format competitors, the involvement of MPEG, its history in the distribution of illicitly copied music, etc. It is a very easy read, written in an informal style without being burdened with technical detail.
But be warned, even though it is a history without taking a stance, its extensive coverage of the protagonists and the role of MP3 in the distribution of illicit copies of music will likely cause copyright keyboard warriors to suffer an apoplexy
