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Summary: Interesting but narrow history of computing
Review: It is interesting to read about what enthusiastic hackers did at MIT, but these are not the people who created the "computer revolution". That idea ignores a lot of talented programmers and engineers all over the country who were far more important and productive.
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Summary: A Gem with Inclusions
Review: To be honest, it's been a number of years since I read Hackers, having read it soon after it's initial publication in the '90's. However, I have some lasting impressions, which may amplify, or at least supplement, several of the previous reviews. First and foremost, I found Hackers to be a facinating story - one with which I would think the majority of the public would be unfamiliar. Levy does an excellent job of documenting the lives and times of the early computer pioneers, and makes those seminal days live again - even for those of us who wouldn't know a byte from a bite from a bight. However, Levy has a tendency for hyperbole, and in Hackers, he gives that tendency full rein. Levy's prose are rife with phrases like '...these brilliant geniuses' and '...such giant intellects.' I'm working from memory, so those are not directs quotes, but I think you get the idea. The other negative impression I have, is Levy's unnecessary dwelling on his characters' personal foibles. I still recall with disgust (alright... mild disgust, but disgust, nonetheless) his description of - if I remember correctly - what were called "blatties." Over all however, I loved "Hackers" and would recommend it to almost anyone without reservation. It's a great read. Oh... there is just one more thing I remember; sweet and sour bitter melon (shudder). So when will the movie be released? ;)
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Summary: Borring
Review: Borring......This book had me asleep, I struggled through the first chapters hoping it would get better, but after a few chapters I had to give up.if you are interested in the hacker community and not this completely too detailed borring history, buy "masters of Deception" A much better book
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Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!!
Review: This book is WONDERFULL. I would suggest it for anyone that is interested in computers and the hacker way of life. It has really opened my mind up A-LOT!!!
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Summary: Yawn...
Review: A really boring book I got here. Many words but it's a really good effort by the authors and the ppl involved. Hope to finish it someday...
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Summary: A fascinating look at how it all began
Review: Contrary to popular opinion, hackers are not computer criminals. They are those who are inspired by the power to control technology, and for whom computing is an art form. The book traces the history of computing, from the early days of the Tech Model Railroad Club at MIT in the late 50's to the game designers of the mid 80's. It's the story of brilliant programmers devoted to their dream of a better world. Among the characters covered in the book are the first generation hackers, the students at MIT who fought against the system, with its batch processed IBM computers, because they believed that computers should be for everyone, not just the "high priests" entrusted to protect them from the masses. The book also discusses the philosophical hackers of the late 60's who believed the computer age would change the world, as well as the hardware hackers of the late 70's who built their own home computers from discarded parts. In the 80's, with the advent of the affordable home computer, a new generation of hackers emerged - game designers. Levy also talks about the most famous hackers of all - the two Steves (Jobs and Wozniak), who created Apple in the late 70's, and Bill Gates, the young programmer who broke an unwritten rule and prevented the hacking community from using his software freely. Hackers was first published in 1984, and understandably, things have moved on since then. Yet it is still an exceptionally good read. It covers a large amount of ground without ever becoming dry. I bought a copy of Hackers after reading several glowing recommendations from other readers. This is a book that should be considered essential reading for anyone with an interest in computing. Hackers will take you back to where it all began. I highly recommended it.
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Summary: Great history of computers...
Review: This is a great history of computers. This covers all of the people that "invented" modern computing, etc. Starts out with the software hackers of the 1960s and 1970s, then moves into the hardware hackers of the late 1970s and 1980s. Some of these hardware hackers include how Woz (Steve Wozniak) started Apple computer and made a mint. It then moves on to software companies like Sierra On-Line and Broderbund and how they got their start... Definitely a cool book. Great computer history book.
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Summary: The best kind of history writing.
Review: I know that I got around to reading this book rather late in the day, but I'm here to tell you that it's worth reading no matter what time it is. The computer revolution is important in so many spheres of our life-- it's history that's relevant to business, politics, and culture. This book looks at some of the roots of these crucial changes and sets the scene for our current environment. Happily, it does this scene-setting in a very well-written and engaging manner-- effectively characterizing both groups and individuals in a way that keeps the pages turning. Definitely one to buy, whether or not you're a programmer.
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Summary: Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution
Review: This book was a great place to start. It was well written and informative, good documentation of the hacker ethic and it's origins. "Information should be free!" I suggest following it up with 'Fire in the Valley: the Making of the Personal Computer', then watching the movie 'Pirates of Silicon Valley', afterwards reading 'Barbarians Led by Bill Gates' to understand how the hacker ethic was suppressed and corrupted, then twisted to have a subversive connotation by people and companies seeking to capitalize on the work and achievements of others. This chronology can help gain an understanding how innovation has been likewise suppressed and stolen to the detriment of many.
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Summary: Inspiration
Review: I had a hard time putting this one down. It covers the stories of young tech focused men (almost all the people in the book are male) of MIT in the 50s and 60s, San Francisco/Berkley/Stanford in 70s and Sierra Online (a popular game company) in the 80s. I found the stories inspiring and renewed my faith in what I could do as individual. It was also a fun and interesting history of all the MIT hackers and how Homebrew Computer club in Northern CA started the personal computer revolution. I must admit that the ending of the Sierra On-Line section isn't exactly unplifting but overall a great book
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