Recent Release, "First Click," by Martin S. Rood, Chronicles a Seattle Car Dealer Who Bet Everything on the Internet at Its Birth

Lake Forest Park, WA, November 06, 2026 --(PR.com)-- Martin S. Rood has completed a new book, titled, "First Click": The Story of DealerNet The World's First Automotive Online Marketplace, a captivating firsthand account of entrepreneurial courage during the dawn of e-commerce. In 1994, when most Americans had never encountered the World Wide Web, Rood received a simple postcard invitation to a University of Washington seminar that would forever alter the trajectory of his life and his industry. What began as curiosity about this mysterious new technology transformed into an audacious vision: to place his Nissan and Volvo inventory online in ways no one had attempted before. Rather than merely building a website, Rood created DealerNet—the world's first automotive online marketplace and one of the earliest commercial ventures to harness the internet's untapped potential.

As an automobile dealer with deep roots in Seattle, Rood possessed neither programming expertise nor a background in software development, yet he possessed something equally valuable: unwavering conviction and entrepreneurial instinct. Throughout the 1990s, he would go on to found four different software and internet startups, each reflecting his willingness to embrace emerging technologies when others remained skeptical. His journey from automotive sales to pioneering the digital marketplace reveals a man unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom and venture into uncharted territory. Beyond his professional achievements, Rood's commitment to community and his active role in his local church demonstrate a character grounded in principle and service.

"First Click" presents readers with an illuminating exploration of what it truly meant to construct something revolutionary before the world was prepared to receive it. Through vivid recollections of those formative years, readers will encounter incredulous reporters, dismissive internet service providers, and the painstaking labor of explaining revolutionary concepts to audiences encountering browsers for the first time. The narrative reveals why Seattle emerged as the epicenter of internet commercialization, laying essential groundwork for titans like Amazon to flourish in that same region. Beyond mere business lessons, this memoir offers profound insights into risk-taking, persistence, and the transformative power of vision, asking readers to contemplate what drives individuals to stake everything on possibilities others cannot yet envision.

"This book captures not just the story of DealerNet, but the electricity of being present at a genuine inflection point in history," said Rood. "I wanted readers to experience the uncertainty, the late nights, and the exhilaration of building something the world didn't yet understand. It's about more than business; it's about having the courage to see possibility where others see only obstacles."

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, this groundbreaking work offers readers an intimate window into the genesis of modern e-commerce and the pioneering spirit that shaped the digital age. This absorbing account will resonate with entrepreneurs, technology enthusiasts, and anyone inspired by stories of visionary determination.

Readers who wish to experience this riveting work can purchase "First Click" at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.
For additional information or inquiries, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.