Name: Hackers
ISBN: 9780141000510

Steven Levy

Interviews with the unconventional computer geniuses who were responsible for the computer revolution reveal the inside story and the shared ideals that motivated them. Reprint.

Heroes of the Computer Revolution

Hackers

This 25th anniversary edition of Steven Levy's classic book traces the exploits of the computer revolution's original hackers -- those brilliant and eccentric nerds from the late 1950s through the early '80s who took risks, bent the rules, and pushed the world in a radical new direction. With updated material from noteworthy hackers such as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Stallman, and Steve Wozniak, Hackers is a fascinating story that begins in early computer research labs and leads to the first home computers. Levy profiles the imaginative brainiacs who found clever and unorthodox solutions to computer engineering problems. They had a shared sense of values, known as "the hacker ethic," that still thrives today. Hackers captures a seminal period in recent history when underground activities blazed a trail for today's digital world, from MIT students finagling access to clunky computer-card machines to the DIY culture that spawned the Altair and the Apple II.

Heroes of the Computer Revolution - 25th Anniversary Edition

tiff

This book was great in the sense it gave me insights into some of my favorite hackers (well, just two-- Woz and Jobs). I am not sure why Steven included Jobs-- he was more of a businessman and showman than an engineer and it showed in his work. He asked Woz to finish a project for him at Atari. Not the hacker type but if you're going to dedicate a couple hours of the book on Apple Computer, it makes sense to include him.

It also inspired me, as a new, self-taught engineer, to rethink math. I was really good at it but things delayed my learning, as well as being an arrogant teenager full of herself. I have since looked at Bézier functions and have downloaded a few KU calc books.

If you'd like insights on geeky geniuses who have literally shaped the world today, give it a listen/read. Not all of them are likeable (Richard Stallman) but their quirks are endearing, if you're the geeky, introverted type.

5 stars because I am into that sort of thing and Levy does a good job of cleaning up his earlier mistakes. I wish he would have maybe cut some of the main part of the book to include more about today's hackers but still, a great read.

Palash Karia

This book weaves a common thread between all the curious minds, going from the MIT hackers right to the so-called 'world hackers' that Paul Graham talks about. Hacking is a mindset, a way of life. You can hack anything, right from hardware, software, to business, selling stuff, and lifestyle.

Although a little bloated in places, this book made me feel like I found my tribe; The ever-curious life-hackers, who believe in exploration, free-flow of information, and decentralization of power.

“Hackers can do almost anything and be a hacker. You can be a hacker carpenter. It’s not necessarily high tech. I think it has to do with craftsmanship and caring about what you’re doing.”

Hackers Heroes of the Computer Revolution

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