The Soul of a New Machine

Rating:
Summary: Kidder adds warmth to any topic
Review: I had just finished reading Kidder's "Hometown" about Northampton, MA (a former home of mine), when I decided to read "The Soul of a New Machine". While "Hometown" clearly shows Kidder's maturity as a writer, "The Soul of a New Machine", written roughly 15 years before, demonstrates Kidder's characteristic warmth and eye for detail. "The Soul of a New Machine" is a wonderful book and an archaeological gem for computer history enthusiasts.

I found this book to be riveting (I finished it in a day and a half), and though I am not qualified to comment on the accuracy of Kidder's use of ECE terminology, it most certainly passed my limited geek muster. Kidder presents complex technical information adroitly, creating analogies understandable to the lay person. At the end of the book, I emerged feeling as if I personally knew the characters, and I found myself rooting for the success of the Eclipse Group. Overall, I loved this book. A hacker classic.

Rating:
Summary: The best book I've ever read!
Review: If they gave out awards for books, this one would have tons of them... (oops, it already does). But really, it is a masterpiece. I, as a computer engineer myself have read this book at least six times. It is a great book because it is so easy to follow and it shows you the inside perspective of a bygone era. Even those of the world who have little to no experience with computers can read this book without worrying about getting lost. It is a real look inside of the way computers were born.

Rating:
Summary: Marriage of Equity and Technology
Review: This book, this first best-known book to emerge from Kidder's credible and entertaining non-fiction oeuvre, chronicles the efforts of a group of computer enthusiasts to develop and then gain stake in the then-young (1980) industry. But this book is more than a mere study of technology and its seemingly pervasive sphere of influence. The books speaks to the inherent nature of equity and the just rewards when coupled with good intentions of individuals from where all ideas (great and otherwise) emerge. This book is a judicious and lasting gift to those who know and realize the more positive efforts arising from work in technological field. Highly recommend

Rating:
Summary: Inside view by on outsider of hardware/software development
Review: This is the story of how a new computer was made, the Data General MV-800Eagle. Well actually it isn't, it is the story of a team, a group oftalented and extremely motivated people who performed a miracle. The team dynamics are described in realistic detail, the nights (and days) people work when they are "close" to a solution, the rivalry between the "hardies" and the "softies", but above all the rivalry with the competition and the clock. Anyone who has worked in software will recognize a lot in this and most of those would love to be part of that team. Any manager would like to know what it takes to get people to be dedicated like that.
The end is realistic, thus sad, the product ends up in the hands of the marketing guys, the team dissolves, some stars get promoted, some quit. This book won a well deserved Pulitzer Prize.

Rating:
Summary: A "must-read" for computer people and social scientists also
Review: When "The Soul of a New Machine" first came out, it was of interest mainly to those with a inside interest in the computer industry - the hackers, engineers, programmers, and various functionaries who put together, sell, and work with computer hardware and software. It remains, for this audience, a classic work which defines for some a golden era of computer design and for others a stereotypical environment that they are glad no longer represents the state of the industry,

What is timeless about this work is what should make it of interest to sociologists, social psychologists, and all other observers of humanity - its vivid depiction of a case study in group dynamics, and the depths to which individuals under the right combination of self-drive and group reinforcement will sacrifice their time, their families, and even their health in pursuit of a common goal.

Truly a classic work, which is rare in its ease of reading.