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robschn's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Really inspiring and gave me a clear vision on how to bring ideas to reality.
tophat8855's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this one on Hoopla. I really enjoyed it. The weaving of the stories made the book very interesting to listen to. I really enjoyed the first half with its fair amount of female participants. As it continues through history, you lose that. And of course, there's the lack of people of color. But that's how systemic racism works.
I've read other histories of Silicon Valley and computers and this is a great companion to those. I recommend listening to it.
I've read other histories of Silicon Valley and computers and this is a great companion to those. I recommend listening to it.
littlehouse88's review against another edition
4.0
I have read several books on this topic and most of them are rather dry, one story after another with nothing to tie them together. Walter Isaacson, on the other hand, managed to make this into one great story. He weave the pieces together in a way that makes sense. This one is worth reading (and even worth reading again).
rainbyrd's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
An interesting history of the computer. I really enjoyed the narrative and found some of the stories quite inspiring.
daed's review against another edition
5.0
Lectura obligatoria para todo geek o amante de la tecnología. Es increíble todo lo que se aprende con este libro.
savoirplus's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
4/5 stars. Great read.
I really enjoyed the latter half or so. When it comes to more current times. However the history lesson of the computer, transistor and microchip included, were fascinating.
Lots of details were added about each person or group regarding the chapter.
The timeline at the beginning of the book is definitely worth a second (or 3rd) glance upon completion of the book. It makes more sense after finishing and is quite well rounded when it comes to the history of modern computers.
Only deducting a star because the first half was a little slow and quite verbose. Which made for kind of an exhausting read. It was worthwhile though, to lay the foundation.
essayem's review against another edition
3.0
Ultimately, closer to a 3.5/5. Fascinating history of the digital revolution from Ava Lovelace's first computer program to creation of modern-day computers, the internet and all things digital. At times, especially in discussing the minutiae of how the first computer was built - the language gets dense, and I felt a little lost between the vacuum tubes and microprocessors. For the most part however, I loved the stories of the MANY innovators (from Lovelace to Turing, Gates, Jobs, Licklider, von Neumann, etc. - honestly, LOADS of people), what they contributed and HOW - as well as Isaacson's focus on innovation being not the result of any one individual, but of collaboration. Also, how Al Gore invented the internet.
I listened to this via audiobook, so I'll also include that the narrator, Dennis Boutsikaris, is fantastic. He has an easy, soothing voice - that made me feel like he really *got* the tone of Isaacson's writing, and also the excitement the innovators experienced while in the throes of their innovations.
I listened to this via audiobook, so I'll also include that the narrator, Dennis Boutsikaris, is fantastic. He has an easy, soothing voice - that made me feel like he really *got* the tone of Isaacson's writing, and also the excitement the innovators experienced while in the throes of their innovations.
mimig312's review against another edition
5.0
I've told so many people about this book! I found it fascinating to learn about the numerous individuals that contributed to the evolution of the computer as we know it today along with it's related technologies. It spans over 100 years which I also found so interesting! Definitely recommend reading!