Accidental Empires

Rating:
Summary: A truly interesting read
Review: Ever ask yourself what the history of Ethernet is? Who invented Postscript? How Microsoft started out, or the real story of the Two Steves? Accidental Empires : How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, and Still Can't Get a Date, by Robert X. Cringely, is one of the most spry and interesting books on this subject I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful, informative and entertaining.
Review: Only the greatest of cynics could not be taken in by Cringely's satire of these conspiracies of our information age. It is a book which offers great perspective in a flurry of media generated ignorance. Although Gates receives the brunt of the ribbing, Cringely leaves no stone unturned, no character flaw unexplored. Only Wozniak and Kapor come out unscathed -- both of whom have left the industry to begin philanthropies of sorts with their millions. Cringely's writing style captivates. Putting down the book is an iconvenience and picking it up again a joy. Having read other books regarding the information age they have been dry and witless in comparison. I literally read this book right off the press in '92 and was thrilled to see its progression into the PBS series "Triumph of the Nerds."

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Summary: Sociopaths, egomaniacs and hippies.
Review: And we have THEM to thank for all of THIS. Your humble critic can't help but wonder HOW all of these folks (Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and assorted others) consented to be interviewed for such a blisteringly honest look inside the minds that created the PC. With Steve Jobs back at Apple Computer and making nice with Bill Gates, there's material for ANOTHER several chapters. I know I'll keep checking for a revised edition. :

Rating:
Summary: an amusing perspective of the computer industry and culture
Review: This is the best book about the computer industry that I have read so far. Cringely's humor is quite amusing, especially his descriptions of the "nerds" and other engineers. After reading his book, it comes as no surprise that Apple is still having trouble, financially, and that IBM lost its battle against Microsoft.

Rating:
Summary: Could have been great...
Review: This book has all the earmarks of something that could have been great...all it needed was a different author. In page after page, what came through to me most was Mr. Cringely's bitterness at not having an accidental empire of his own, of not being a Silicon Valley millionaire. This taints so much of his writing that it makes me skeptical of his "insider" knowledge of the industry and of his opinions of those who created the industry. I also find it disingenious that Cringely goes on a tyrade against Apple in his book but fails to mention he was an Apple employee (one if its first 12, actually) ... obviously one who failed to make his mark on the computer industry and so has turned against it with acerbic attacks

Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: Saw the series "Revenge of the Nerds" on TV. Put the book on my xmas wish list. And got it. I then had to share the book with the hubby and the sister-in-law. It was a little tug-o-war to finish it first. All three of us read the book in a week. We loved it. It confirmed all the rumours I had heard on the computer industry in the 70s, 80s & 90s. I'd love an update. Especially now that Steve Jobs (Next Software) have gone back to Apple

Rating:
Summary: Miss it is your loss
Review: I am a PC industry reporter in Hong Kong and read 10s books about PC industry. Some form USA and some about Taiwan. Most of them are fill with advertisment or theory only. Robert wrote a book about the real life of PC Industry and he make us laugh too. It is the best. I promise.

Rating:
Summary: Best book I've ever read about the PC Industry
Review: Excellent!!! This book gives an informative yet interesting look at the PC industry. A must read for anyone who is interested in the PC industry.

Rating:
Summary: Empires of the Nerds
Review: Why do people outside of Silicon Valley have so much respect for these people when they succeeded in spite of themselves? Because they were able to succeed, while being total nerds. Maybe there's still a chance for me! I chuckled as I read this very well-written book.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best PC industry history and economic overviews
Review: This is by far the best written personal computer industry history and commentary you can find. Cringely's style is both informative and entertaining.