Who Invented the Computer? The Legal Battle That Changed Computing History

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, Well-documented, and Fair
Review: This is a review from Japan.
There are many books on the history of early computers, but Alice Burks' new book is by far the most comprehensive in its scope and detailed in its content; it covers (Atanasoff's) ABC machine, ENIAC, EDVAC and other related machines and ideas. The author goes through the ENIAC trial transcript and other records, and her claims are constructed on that evidence, not on her own prejudice or preferences. She is fair. For instance, as regards EDVAC priority, she fully appreciates Eckert's crucial contribution and accuses von Neumann's unfairness, whereas she also points out von Neumann's own contributions. She also states clearly why she disagrees with other historians' views. Whether or not you like her conclusions, this book is a "must" for anyone interested in the history of computing.