Rating: 
Summary: Biased, but interesting
Review: A bit of a disclaimer--I worked at Microsoft from 1986 through 1992, with some of the same people Mr. Eller worked with (though in different groups). This is an interesting view of what it was like to work at Microsoft and how the company operates. Even if you worked there, there are stories and situations that didn't make it to the company grapevine. Still, Mr. Eller's interactions with some Microsoft executives doesn't jibe with my experiences. I don't have the same memories of Ballmer, Myhrvold, and Slyngstad as he does. It WAS incredibly competitive, it WAS high-pressure, but it was also the most rewarding and fun place I've ever worked at. It is interesting to read about the behind the scenes decisions and personalities. The book falters a bit when it describes Microsoft after 1995, and the third-person narrative is clunky. Still, if you can acknowledge and accept the biases of the authors, it does tell an interesting story. Unfortunately, the real story of what it was like to work on campus at Microsoft isn't written yet.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Attack On MS From An Insider
Review: An insider's account of the development of windows and related events, Barbarians is excellent reading. It explodes the right wing fetish about the genius of Bill Gates, and nullifies the equally baseless conservative notion that huge bureaucratic enterprises are efficient, as long as they are private. It is also quite revealing of the dangers of allowing the monopolistic practices of any business to remain unchallenged. The thuggish tactics of Microsoft, from it's days as a IBM toady to it's genesis as Corporate bully number one, coupled with the mindless greed, the idea theft and the thick headed stupidity of the Microsoft upper management reveal the true nature of the corporate capitalist state. Worse for Chairman Bill, the book cannot be dismissed as the sour grapes ranting of unhappy competitors since Eller made millions as a Microsoft software developer and Edstrom is the daughter of one of MS' chief PR goons. Barbarians should be read by fans and foes of Microsoft alike, if for no other reason than to witness the alienation and frustration of all corporate employees, even those that are millionaires. Death to the corporate state.
Rating:
Summary: Hold your nose and read
Review: As others have pointed out this first person/third person thing is quite hilarious. After about the second or third time you come across this "Eller" fellow who seems to be always on the scene and always right, you look back and see his name on the cover. But the funnier one is every now and then you can almost hear Jennifer Edstrom saying "and then mommy saved the day again ..."
However I did give it more than the minimum, because I do think there is value in getting a perspective from what it looked like from the front line. I did finish the book, and I think I got some insight into Microsoft.
Rating: 
Summary: Barberians Led by Bill Gates
Review: I feel sorry for author. Dennis Welt BC Canada
Rating:
Summary: Didn't you expect something personal ?
Review: I saw how many reviewers gave this book one or two stars. I think that it deserves five stars because the authors had a unique perspective. They weren't afraid to say what they thought about Microsoft. Admittedly, it was biased, but that's to be expected. I have been a Microsoft fan and investor for a few years now. The company is a winner, no doubt about it. The book states that Bill Gates isn't as smart as people think he is. He isn't as smart as he thinks he is. Microsoft's success is largely due to Gates hiring the right people, such as Steve Ballmer and Nathan Myhrvold, for the job. They certainly have their flaws, but they make a great team that's more than the sum of its parts. They make their own opportunities in business. That's what an investor likes to see, so that's why I made Microsoft my largest investment. All of this controversy with the DOJ hasn't done very much- the stock is up about fifty-sixty percent since the beginning of the year. The book really shows you why Microsoft is so successful.
Rating:
Summary: Grudge Venting
Review: I should firstly point out that I am very anti-Microsoft. So I guess I should enjoy any read that takes time to bag them. However, I found this book to be a waste of time.I gave up halfway through this book. I very quickly realised that what I was reading was an immature persons view of a company that Marlin had felt had not listened to his ideas. Most of the time the authors are explaining how great Marlin Eller and his work was, and how Microsoft made a mistake not listening to him. I also heard the authors speak at a convention. They spent the hour contradicting and arguing with each other, like spoilt siblings. From the book and the talk, it is very apparent that Jennifer Edstrom has a problem with her mother, and Marlin still holds a grudge against Microsoft. Don't waste your time on this book. Find a less biased account.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating, very biased "insider view"
Review: It's always good to have an "insider's view" book. At the same time, when this guy is an ex-employee, you should always ask yourself: why did he leave, and what does he have to gain from writing a book like this? The authors are evidently very anti-Microsoft, yet at the same time their stories come across not so much as how stupid Microsoft is, but how mismanaged and lucky Gates & Company have been, which is closer to the truth than many people think. Some other books describe Gates and his employees as evil, but this book would characterize them as rather incompetent. It offers a detailed look into how Microsoft committed so many business goofs and yet every time it would come out the winner. After reading it you may even feel sorry for Bill Gates for having to fight so many enemies on so many fronts, some internal. A book worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Book
Review: Really cool description about how Microsoft(MS) does biz. Author tracks MSs story right from the beginning of time when MS was trading as a penny stock. He pretty humorously points out a lot of flaws (who doesn't) in MSs biz model and how luck favored MS all the time.. and how MS is becoming corrpupt slowly... may be due to its success The acronyms that prevail in MSs biz environment has been very funnily described. I could not control my laughter when he says that the marketing people are better equipped in sucking upto IBM. Looks like the author ended up working in the unsuccessful pen computing project and ended up losing his importance and power in MS. This has been reflected through out the book but for a few chapters. So, the moral of the story is: "If you are in IT field watch out what you are doing, you better bet on the right horse" Kinda hard to do, but atleast you should put an effort. Overall, it is a really funny book on technology and has been published at the right time. Overall its a great book and would make a good coffee table book as long as MS/DOJ was goes on.. Uncle Bill should read this...
Rating: 
Summary: Barbarians Led by Bill Gates
Review: The book was a well written account, some other titles which may be of interest are; 'hackers' by Steven Levy, 'Fire in the Valley: The making of the Personal Computer', 'Pirates of Silicon Valley' (movie). Reading/viewing these titles before 'Barbarians Led by Bill Gates' will provide a good chronology.
Rating:
Summary: Too Much Ego, Too Little Else
Review: There is probably an interesting story in this book, but I could not get past the turgid writing to find it. As a professional writer, Edstrom should have persuaded Eller to let her rewrite the book to make it more interesting. Unfortunately, Eller views himself as some kind of interesting character, which he is not. Since he insisted upon writing the book in the third person, Eller's name appears repeatedly on every page, which quickly becomes tiresome. If Eller's ego would not permit him to write as an omniscient narrator, he should have used the first person viewpoint. As it is, an otherwise excellent story is amateurishly told.
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