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The Soul of a New Machine

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The Soul of a New Machine

By: Tracy Kidder
Narrated by: Ben Sullivan
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About this listen

Computers have changed since 1981, when Tracy Kidder memorably recorded the drama, comedy, and excitement of one company's efforts to bring a new microcomputer to market. What has not changed is the feverish pace of the high-tech industry, 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. The Soul of a New Machine is an essential chapter in the history of the machine that revolutionized the world in the 20th century.

©2011 Tracy Kidder (P)2016 Hachette Audio Engineering History History & Culture Professionals & Academics Science & Technology Technology Computer Science Business Software

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I read the original paperback book in 1981 at a time when I was launching a product where I was the TD and did a lot of the mechanical design. I was working with some really good engineers and software writers. I too was not doing it for the money but as a release for all the ideas that just poured out of me.
This book recalls times that were just like that. Looking back at the book, it describes people who were just like ones I was working with.
The book is good. It describes things that are so true.
It does not disappoint.

How it was

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Whilst I found the book a bit rambling at first, it does get going and builds into an interesting story. That said, it's definitely for the technically oriented reader, I loved the detail it went into with the debugging but my wife overheard some and could barely believe anyone would listen to this voluntarily!

An interesting glimpse into a wonderful era...

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Interesting but not mind blowing. I enjoyed overall but found some parts a little boring.

it was an interesting book

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less so. well performed but relevant only to those who can relate to project management and computer product development.

great for engineers, for the rest ..

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Great listen for those in tech . Essentially a long war story that could have been 4 chapters . Lacks any real meaningful analysis . Cool to hear what went on in those days mind you

Very relatable for a techy but lacks any real point

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