Customer Reviews
Humdrum read - By: Adam Graham Malster, 08 Jul 2008 
Mildly interesting account of how a computer was built at the tail end of the 70s. Kidder attempts to craft memorable portraits of the young men involved but they never quite come alive for me & so the story reallly doesn't appeal.
I have a friend who works in the computer industry who says this book has given him important insights into how he does his job. I can see that if you have a similar career to that of the people described here it would be very interesting, for the rest of us I'm not so sure.
The most interesting chapter is "Going to the Fair" in which there is a brief (alll too brief) discussion on how computers will change society. I would have preferred more in this vein. Not a bad book, I'm glad I read it, but not a good book either.
A classic, but still very readable - By: S. R. Elliott, 15 Apr 2007 
I read this when it first came out in paperback more than 20 years ago (I think the paperback version was in 1982). It was at a time when I was starting to get *reallly* interested in computers (I was in 3rd year at secondary school!). The turf war between the two groups within Data General, the dedication of the design team, the passion felt by the team for their design... alll helped to convince me that I wanted to get into computing.
This book was the first book I ever bought from Amazon UK (in 2000), & the second book I ever purchased online (the first book was from Amazon US in 1999 because I got a voucher for money off!) - when I was looking for a treat for myself, I couldn't think of anything better.
It may be 25 years old & the world of computing may have changed beyond alll recognition, but the struggles of the team designing Project Eagle (which became the Eclipse MV/8000, which I used at college & University!) is recognisable to anyone who works in the field, & most people outside of the field would also recognise the dedication of the team!
Definitely recommended!
Life changing! - By: , 15 Dec 2003 I first read this book about 20 years ago & it changed my life - seriously. From then on in I knew I wanted to work in the computer industry. I'd not read it since, & was a little nervous of re-reading it. There was no need. Its as exciting & alarming as ever. There are very few good books on the IT industry. This is one of them. Go read.
Re-released but still woth a good read - By: David Richardson, 04 Dec 2003 
I first read this book back in 1983 & was amazed at the tenacity of the machine builders of the time.
Today, I take it for granted that I can build a state of the art computer in 30 minutes - then it literallly took sweat, blood & tears.
Not a book I would recommend if you have no interest in the history of computing, but very interesting none the less.
Lessons for life - By: geoff dendle, 18 Dec 2002 I first read this wonderful book almost twenty years ago & have re-read it a number of times since then. Yes, it is about computers but it is much more about people, life & in particular their interplay in teamworking. I have recommended it to colleagues as one of the most useful books about the workplace as well as being a riveting read - it is a thriller !!
One of my favourite reads - it reallly is that good.
