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The Soul of a New Machine

by Tracy Kidder

The Soul of a New Machine Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Computers have changed since 1981, when Tracy Kidder indelibly recorded the drama, comedy, and excitement of one company's efforts to bring a new microcomputer to market. What has changed little, however, is computer culture: the feverish pace of the high-tech industry, the mystique of programmers, the go-for-broke approach to business that has caused so many computer companies to win big (or go belly up), and the cult of pursuing mind-bending technological innovations. By tracing computer culture to its roots, by exploring the "soul" of the "machine" that has revolutionized the world, Kidder succeeds as no other writer has done in capturing the essential spirit of the computer age.

Synopsis:

A new trade paperback edition has been issued of a nonfiction modern classic--the Pulitzer Prize-winning work that, more than any other book, captures the essential spirit of the computer age. "Fascinating. . . . A surprisingly gripping account of people at work".--"The Wall Street Journal".
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
from73, May 21, 2007 (view all comments by from73)
As one who lived and worked in this field through the era that Kidder described, I can tell you that his book totally and accurately captures it. Whether from the marketing standpoint, the business standpoint, the historical standpoint, or (the focus of the book) the engineering development and people standpoint, he got it onto the page. It is also a fun, interesting, and even suspenseful read. As its NY Times reviewer said (as quoted on the flyleaf of the hardback) it is understandable even if you are nontechnical and can't tell software from hardware. Kidder copyrighted it in 1981--the year the first IBM PC came out. It is thus really interesting to read this book from a 2007 perspective, since a lot of what has happened in the PC-microcomputer era is **just** like what Kidder described in 1981 at what turned out to be the end of the minicomputer era. Enjoy!!
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skittlesrocks, March 6, 2007 (view all comments by skittlesrocks)
I have yet to read this book but I am on my way to the library right now! The reviews state how this revolutionary book can change our technology-based society, and as a high senior senior entering engineering technology at UCF, this sounds like the book to read.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780316491976
Author:
Kidder, Tracy
Publisher:
Back Bay Books
Location:
Boston
Subject:
General
Subject:
History
Subject:
Computer Engineering
Subject:
Electronic digital computers
Subject:
Eclipse MV/8000
Edition Description:
Back Bay Pbk an
Series Volume:
99/033
Publication Date:
June 2000
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Pages:
320
Dimensions:
829x555x83 66
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