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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This, along with "Pirates of Silacon Valley" provide a picture of the beginning of the computer industry.
This was very informative, and I enjoyed learning about the personalities of the different players involved in developing the Eagle computer. That said, after a while, the book became a bit dry, which is why I put the book down for quite a while before deciding to finish it. I'm also not sure if I buy the nostalgic and somewhat stereotypical portrayal of the earlier computer industry personalities of quirky misfit tinkerers. While this was likely true in some capacity, it also felt like the non-fiction telling was being shoved into a more appealing narrative by framing it in this manner. (This was probably more noticeable to me because I just finished Hamilton, and that is a also portrayal of borderline obsessive work by a band of unique people.)
This was really great! It managed to feel impressively relevant given it's 40 years old and about a notoriously fast-paced field (I think this is largely due to its primary focus being on the people behind the machine, rather than overly technical detail).
I've been rewatching Halt and Catch Fire recently, so it was also cool to see some of the elements that clearly influenced one of my favorite TV shows (e.g. the presence of Adventure in both).
I've been rewatching Halt and Catch Fire recently, so it was also cool to see some of the elements that clearly influenced one of my favorite TV shows (e.g. the presence of Adventure in both).
I can't imagine a book being written like this today, there's just no way that a journalist would be given this level of access into a company or team. That said, it's so depressing to me to read about the same lack of diversity that's persisted for over 40 years...
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
This book engages in a lot of blatant hero worship of the men (it's a book about the tech industry in the 70's, the fact that it even lists two women by name is astounding) who built a pretty good computer. Understandably well received in its own time, but reading it in 2022 can feel murky especially with what "big tech" has grown to mean in the modern era.
There is novelty in reading about this early phase of computer engineering and the both very different and, at times, how eerily similar the market functioned then versus now. You can also feel how much the author engaged with the subject at hand with surprisingly thorough breakdowns of technical concepts and clear human connections with the people he was writing about. Bundle that with a few legitimately well written passages and the book is an enjoyable read if you've ever found looking at computer specs interesting.
If you're outside of that bubble though I don't think a lot will hold your interest unless you want to read a book that regularly hides, justifies, and shields blatant corporate abuse of employees in exchange for making those employees sound really smart (which, as detailed in the book, are the same tricks the company used to perform that abuse in the first place).
There is novelty in reading about this early phase of computer engineering and the both very different and, at times, how eerily similar the market functioned then versus now. You can also feel how much the author engaged with the subject at hand with surprisingly thorough breakdowns of technical concepts and clear human connections with the people he was writing about. Bundle that with a few legitimately well written passages and the book is an enjoyable read if you've ever found looking at computer specs interesting.
If you're outside of that bubble though I don't think a lot will hold your interest unless you want to read a book that regularly hides, justifies, and shields blatant corporate abuse of employees in exchange for making those employees sound really smart (which, as detailed in the book, are the same tricks the company used to perform that abuse in the first place).
I have a lot to say about this fantastic book. I am on a reading sprint right now though, so I'll probably put it up in a blog post and link it here later
informative
medium-paced
Interesting account of building a computer from the perspective of 40 years ago. Strong writing makes it interesting and sometimes even suspenseful.
This was a great read. Very relatable. Has aged really well. Captures the true essence of what goes into engineering a high tech product - stakes, challenges, rewards, politics, heroic efforts, the often unnoticed behind the scenes work .. Some wonderful characters as well..
It is hard to believe that this was written 40 years ago.. before PCs
Highly recommended.
It is hard to believe that this was written 40 years ago.. before PCs
Highly recommended.
It is about building a new computer and the trials and tribulations faced by engineers and managers back then are relevant even today in this startup culture. Enjoyed the book