Christmas Gifts for the Computer History Nerd (2023)
Recently, Substack send out an email suggesting that writers create a gift suggest list for their readers. I thought, “Hey, that sounds like a good idea. I’ll try that.” So here is a list of the books that I’ve read on computer history and found interesting. Buy them for the computer nerd in your life (or for yourself). Enjoy.
I was hoping to get this out sooner, but I come down with a bad cold and it has been kicking my butt. Great way to spent Christmas.
Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, and Still Can't Get a Date by Robert X. Cringely https://a.co/d/6ZxOnXV - This was the first book that I read about the early history of the PC industry. It got me interested in learning more about it.
Steve Jobs & The NeXT Big Thing by Randall Stross https://a.co/d/dAwLz86 - This book covers Steve Jobs departure from Apple in 1985, the founding of NeXT, and its eventual purchase by Apple in 1997. It talks about the ups and downs of NeXT and the lessons that Jobs learns along the way.
Apple : The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders by Jim Carlton https://a.co/d/afC5v0Z - This book covers the events at Apple from the time Jobs left in 1985 until he returned in 1997. Covers a lot of failed projects and initiatives.
Fire in the Valley: The Birth and Death of the Personal Computer by Michael Swaine and Paul Freiberger https://a.co/d/b9ShlaK - This huge book covers the long history of the PC industry. This updated third edition starts in the 1970 where the foundation was set for the coming PC industry and ends in the post-PC era we are currently experiencing.
Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution by Steven Levy https://a.co/d/1qZrKv5 - This book takes a look at the origin of the word “hacker” and the development of hacker culture. Includes the development of the PC and UNIX.
Triumph of the Nerds https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B01N6AJPQA/ - PBS made Cringely’s Accidental Empires into a miniseries. I discovered this before the book. Very fun to watch
And Now for Something Totally Different
Besides writing about computer history, I also like to write detective fiction.
Don't Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth https://a.co/d/dGwjt1B - This is the first Benny Cahill story. This ebook is free, so you can see if you are interested.
Trouble is My Client https://a.co/d/7IHMAzo - These four stories take place after the one above.
Benny Cahill, Troubleshooter https://a.co/d/amaIJsc - This paperback contains all five stories included in the two ebooks plus one new story just for the paperback.
I hope that you found something for you or your loved ones to enjoy.
Merry Christmas,
John Paul Wohlscheid