Rating: 
Summary: a good intro
Review: Creativity comes from applying what you already know, or experiences that you've already had, in unexpected contexts. Daniel Hillis demonstrates his thorough understanding of computing by the simple/understandable way he explains even the most complex of ideas. I have bought several copies of this book to give to local libraries. If you are involved in computer science and are getting burned out, then READ THIS BOOK! Mr. Hillis will renew your interest and excitement about the computing sciences.
Rating:
Summary: Great for the neophyte, fun for the geek
Review: Danny Hillis is known for his child-like approach to things. This book is a good example. I think it's a definate must read for the computer neophyte of any age (I'm buying several for people ranging from a teenager to my father-in-law). He introduces the *real* workings behind computers. Forget about RAM, bits, bytes and all that. Think about information flowing like water and computation performed with little gears. The long-term computer lover will find this book a quick, light, but thouroughly enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: In a League of His Own
Review: I am not a computer expert but I have been immersed in computer books for the past couple of years in order to jump-start a new career. I can say without hesitation that in my reading experience Daniel Hillis has no peer in writing about computers. I suspect he has no peer in his field of research as well, but I'm not qualified to comment on that. This book is a joy to read. So rare that a great technical mind can communicate as brilliantly as this.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but the title is misleading
Review: I believe the title is a bit misleading. If you want to buy this book to learn how computers work, STOP! and buy "Code: Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software" By Charles Petzold. (Because of the title/quotes on the book which suggested that this book will teach you "How Computers Work"... I gave it 4 stars--I almost made it 3! :) This book will cover how computers work only in the first two chapters.. and it covers the subject so abstractly and briefly--with a lot of gaps--that if you don't already know how it works, you probably will have a VERY hard time understanding... Now, to the good stuff... this book is a GREAT intro for someone who has some fundamentals in CS, but would like to explore it a bit more.. or get interesting ideas--especially in the department of Artificial Intelligence. Remmember one thing... althought it's meant to be a book for "newbies"... it really isn't... some of the concepts/terminology is complex... but as a whole it's a simple short book. To me it seems VERY simple because I already read a lot of books dealing with all this stuff beforehand... but I would imagine someone who hasn't had a lot of exposure may want to at the very least read CODE (as I've already stated). You will learn a lot from CODE! (BTW, I just read this book in about two days, after finishing CODE... so that can attest to it's simplicity... not too much depth.. but a nice intro to CS with a concentration on AI).
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but the title is misleading
Review: I believe the title is a bit misleading. If you want to buy this book to learn how computers work, STOP! and buy "Code: Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software" By Charles Petzold. (Because of the title/quotes on the book which suggested that this book will teach you "How Computers Work"... I gave it 4 stars--I almost made it 3! :) This book will cover how computers work only in the first two chapters.. and it covers the subject so abstractly and briefly--with a lot of gaps--that if you don't already know how it works, you probably will have a VERY hard time understanding... Now, to the good stuff... this book is a GREAT intro for someone who has some fundamentals in CS, but would like to explore it a bit more.. or get interesting ideas--especially in the department of Artificial Intelligence. Remmember one thing... althought it's meant to be a book for "newbies"... it really isn't... some of the concepts/terminology is complex... but as a whole it's a simple short book. To me it seems VERY simple because I already read a lot of books dealing with all this stuff beforehand... but I would imagine someone who hasn't had a lot of exposure may want to at the very least read CODE (as I've already stated). You will learn a lot from CODE! (BTW, I just read this book in about two days, after finishing CODE... so that can attest to it's simplicity... not too much depth.. but a nice intro to CS with a concentration on AI).
Rating:
Summary: Simple... when explained by a master.
Review: I found this book while on the search of a simple, accesible introduction to the core principles of computer technology. "The Pattern on the Stope" not only offers such an explanation; the book communicates the great passion that Mr. Hillis has on his subject and will open your mind to its complexity and wonders. Lack of technical background is not a problem, as Mr. Hillis method is intended for all kind of readers. This book will trigger your curiosity and desire to known more about computer science and Mr. Hillis work.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple--if you already know it
Review: I had to return the book. The author is obviously brilliant but I'm not, and the notion of finally breaking through and seeing the light about computers just wasn't valid for a very general reader. With some decent science background, it might be a very different story.
Rating:
Summary: A fun and interesting book...
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Hillis has a way of writing that is both educational and entertaining. I had taken this book out of the library at least a half-dozen times, so many in fact that my wife suggested I just buy the darned thing (I had a enough late charges to pay for it at least once!) It is easy to read, engaging, and really does get to the heart of what a computer is and how it works in a manner that even my eight year old daughter could work with. Good work Mr. Hillis!
Rating:
Summary: A fun and interesting book...
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Hillis has a way of writing that is both educational and entertaining. I had taken this book out of the library at least a half-dozen times, so many in fact that my wife suggested I just buy the darned thing (I had a enough late charges to pay for it at least once!) It is easy to read, engaging, and really does get to the heart of what a computer is and how it works in a manner that even my eight year old daughter could work with. Good work Mr. Hillis!
Rating:
Summary: Insanely great
Review: I took a one-year intensive detour into computer programming with the idea of becoming a programmer. The single best thing I got out of it was an acquaintance with this book. It is very short and perfectly clear, yet it is also the deepest reflection on computers I know of. I'm not alone in thinking this--writing in the eminent magazine New Scientist, the reviewer Peter Thomas called it "The best book on computers I have ever read." It seems quite fitting that in looking through others' reviews of this book I found it pressed eagerly both on complete novices and on computer science majors; it's that kind of book, profoundly simple. The idea of the last chapter, Beyond Engineering, is one of the most exciting ones I've ever heard: let me summarize it briefly to entice you. Hillis thinks that we may not be able to design a true artificial intelligence because we may not ever be able to understand how our own decentralized brains work. (An artificial intelligence is a computer with a consciousness like a person's, like HAL in "2001".) Yet he thinks we can still create an artificial intelligence by simulating evolution--by imitating the same process that created us! We may be able to "breed" computers as smart as human beings without ever having to understand how we, or they, achieve the miracle of consciousness. In the computer world, that's the kind of idea they call "sexy".
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