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SoBrief
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A People’s History of Computing in the United States
by Joy Lisi Rankin • 2018
The PC erased a decade of shared computing where users were creators, not customers.
3.49
193
A People’s History of Computing in the United States Summary
A People’s History of Computing in the United States 94%
The PC erased a decade of shared computing where users were creators, not customers.
by Joy Lisi Rankin 2018
3.49
193 ratings
Hackers
by Steven Levy • 1984
Before the garage, a creed of open access and hands-on tinkering drove the computer revolution.
4.16
9k+
Hackers Summary
Hackers 93%
Before the garage, a creed of open access and hands-on tinkering drove the computer revolution.
by Steven Levy 1984
4.16
9k+ ratings
The Innovators
by Walter Isaacson • 2011
Collaboration, not solitary genius, built the computer. The human story of the digital revolution.
4.12
40k+
The Innovators Summary
The Innovators 92%
Collaboration, not solitary genius, built the computer. The human story of the digital revolution.
by Walter Isaacson 2011
4.12
40k+ ratings
Broad Band
by Claire L. Evans • 2018
Women created the first program, the first compiler, and the early web. Then they were erased.
3.93
2k+
Broad Band Summary
Broad Band 92%
Women created the first program, the first compiler, and the early web. Then they were erased.
by Claire L. Evans 2018
3.93
2k+ ratings
ColdFusion Presents
by Dagogo Altraide • 2019
From steam to AI: the chain of breakthroughs that built the modern world, every link essential.
4.17
780
ColdFusion Presents Summary
ColdFusion Presents 91%
From steam to AI: the chain of breakthroughs that built the modern world, every link essential.
by Dagogo Altraide 2019
4.17
780 ratings
Code
by Charles Petzold • 1999
How a simple switch, a telegraph relay, and Boolean logic became the modern computer.
4.40
11k+
Code Summary
Code 91%
How a simple switch, a telegraph relay, and Boolean logic became the modern computer.
by Charles Petzold 1999
4.40
11k+ ratings
iWoz - Computer Geek to Cult Icon
by Steve Wozniak • 2006
Phone-hacking pranks, the Apple I, and the engineer who left his own revolution to teach.
3.85
18k+
iWoz - Computer Geek to Cult Icon Summary
iWoz - Computer Geek to Cult Icon 91%
Phone-hacking pranks, the Apple I, and the engineer who left his own revolution to teach.
by Steve Wozniak 2006
3.85
18k+ ratings
Machines of Loving Grace
by John Markoff • 2015
Silicon Valley split between replacing humans and upgrading them. The fight isn't over.
3.67
627
Machines of Loving Grace Summary
Machines of Loving Grace 91%
Silicon Valley split between replacing humans and upgrading them. The fight isn't over.
by John Markoff 2015
3.67
627 ratings
Ada's Algorithm
by James Essinger • 2013
In 1843, Ada Lovelace wrote the first computer program and imagined machines that compose music.
3.27
2k+
Ada's Algorithm Summary
Ada's Algorithm 91%
In 1843, Ada Lovelace wrote the first computer program and imagined machines that compose music.
by James Essinger 2013
3.27
2k+ ratings
Computational Thinking
by Peter J. Denning • 2019
It is a 4,500-year-old practice that built modern science, yet most confuse it with just coding.
3.63
304
Computational Thinking Summary
Computational Thinking 91%
It is a 4,500-year-old practice that built modern science, yet most confuse it with just coding.
by Peter J. Denning 2019
3.63
304 ratings
Source Code
by Bill Gates • 2025
How card games, a high school mainframe, and a friend's death forged Microsoft's co-founder.
4.15
15k+
Source Code Summary
Source Code 91%
How card games, a high school mainframe, and a friend's death forged Microsoft's co-founder.
by Bill Gates 2025
4.15
15k+ ratings
The Design of the UNIX Operating System
by Maurice J. Bach • 1986
What actually happens between the shell prompt and the hardware: the Unix kernel explained.
4.25
605
The Design of the UNIX Operating System Summary
The Design of the UNIX Operating System 91%
What actually happens between the shell prompt and the hardware: the Unix kernel explained.
by Maurice J. Bach 1986
4.25
605 ratings
Masters of Doom
by David Kushner • 2003
Two coders, one lake house, and the game that turned office workers into after-hours warriors.
4.30
20k+
Masters of Doom Summary
Masters of Doom 91%
Two coders, one lake house, and the game that turned office workers into after-hours warriors.
by David Kushner 2003
4.30
20k+ ratings
How the Internet Happened
by Brian McCullough • 2018
The Internet was not inevitable: a handful of companies built it in a frantic twenty-year race.
4.27
2k+
How the Internet Happened Summary
How the Internet Happened 91%
The Internet was not inevitable: a handful of companies built it in a frantic twenty-year race.
by Brian McCullough 2018
4.27
2k+ ratings
Just for Fun
by Linus Torvalds • 2001
A Finnish student created an operating system in his bedroom, then watched it swallow the world.
3.96
5k+
Just for Fun Summary
Just for Fun 91%
A Finnish student created an operating system in his bedroom, then watched it swallow the world.
by Linus Torvalds 2001
3.96
5k+ ratings
Troublemakers
by Leslie Berlin • 2017
The seven years when a California peninsula birthed personal computing, biotech, and video games.
4.09
769
Troublemakers Summary
Troublemakers 90%
The seven years when a California peninsula birthed personal computing, biotech, and video games.
by Leslie Berlin 2017
4.09
769 ratings
Valley of Genius
by Adam Fisher • 2018
A stolen Xerox demo, hot-tubbing engineers, and the real conversations that built the Valley.
4.08
1k+
Valley of Genius Summary
Valley of Genius 90%
A stolen Xerox demo, hot-tubbing engineers, and the real conversations that built the Valley.
by Adam Fisher 2018
4.08
1k+ ratings
Cult of the Dead Cow
by Joseph Menn • 2019
From BBS pranks to Pentagon briefings: how a hacker collective wrote the playbook for cyberdefense.
3.75
2k+
Cult of the Dead Cow Summary
Cult of the Dead Cow 90%
From BBS pranks to Pentagon briefings: how a hacker collective wrote the playbook for cyberdefense.
by Joseph Menn 2019
3.75
2k+ ratings
Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future
by John MacCormick • 2012
The hidden algorithms behind search and security, and the one problem no machine can solve.
3.89
2k+
Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future Summary
Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future 90%
The hidden algorithms behind search and security, and the one problem no machine can solve.
by John MacCormick 2012
3.89
2k+ ratings
Hard Drive
by James Wallace • 1992
The $50,000 operating system Gates bought and resold to IBM: the deal that built Microsoft.
4.12
2k+
Hard Drive Summary
Hard Drive 90%
The $50,000 operating system Gates bought and resold to IBM: the deal that built Microsoft.
by James Wallace 1992
4.12
2k+ ratings
How Data Happened
by Chris Wiggins • 2023
Data was never neutral. How statistics went from serving kings to fueling the attention economy.
3.54
467
How Data Happened Summary
How Data Happened 90%
Data was never neutral. How statistics went from serving kings to fueling the attention economy.
by Chris Wiggins 2023
3.54
467 ratings
Automate This
by Christopher Steiner • 2012
Algorithms took Wall Street. Now they compose music, allocate kidneys, and profile personalities.
3.82
4k+
Automate This Summary
Automate This 90%
Algorithms took Wall Street. Now they compose music, allocate kidneys, and profile personalities.
by Christopher Steiner 2012
3.82
4k+ ratings
The Idea Factory
by Jon Gertner • 2012
A phone monopoly's lab produced the transistor, the laser, and the digital age. How it worked.
4.21
9k+
The Idea Factory Summary
The Idea Factory 90%
A phone monopoly's lab produced the transistor, the laser, and the digital age. How it worked.
by Jon Gertner 2012
4.21
9k+ ratings
Chip War
by Chris Miller100 • 2022
One island makes nearly every advanced computer chip. Everything else is up for grabs.
4.40
43k+
Chip War Summary
Chip War 90%
One island makes nearly every advanced computer chip. Everything else is up for grabs.
by Chris Miller100 2022
4.40
43k+ ratings
The Control Revolution
by James R. Beniger • 1986
Steam outran human control. The century-long scramble to catch up invented modern data processing.
4.16
112
The Control Revolution Summary
The Control Revolution 90%
Steam outran human control. The century-long scramble to catch up invented modern data processing.
by James R. Beniger 1986
4.16
112 ratings
The Perfectionists
by Simon Winchester • 2018
From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.
4.15
7k+
The Perfectionists Summary
The Perfectionists 90%
From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.
by Simon Winchester 2018
4.15
7k+ ratings
Steve Jobs
by Karen Blumenthal • 2012
Garage startup. Public firing. Decade in exile. The return that produced the iPod and iPhone.
3.95
7k+
Steve Jobs Summary
Steve Jobs 90%
Garage startup. Public firing. Decade in exile. The return that produced the iPod and iPhone.
by Karen Blumenthal 2012
3.95
7k+ ratings
How AI Thinks
by Nigel Toon • 2024
It's a learning engine, not a thinking mind. The revolution is here, and it's not sentient.
3.62
322
How AI Thinks Summary
How AI Thinks 90%
It's a learning engine, not a thinking mind. The revolution is here, and it's not sentient.
by Nigel Toon 2024
3.62
322 ratings
The Road Ahead
by Bill Gates • 1995
In 1995, Bill Gates mapped the digital future: commerce, education, and homes that recognize you.
3.74
4k+
The Road Ahead Summary
The Road Ahead 90%
In 1995, Bill Gates mapped the digital future: commerce, education, and homes that recognize you.
by Bill Gates 1995
3.74
4k+ ratings
How Computers Really Work
by Matthew Justice • 2020
From transistor to web: the computing stack explained layer by layer, no prerequisites required.
4.35
160
How Computers Really Work Summary
How Computers Really Work 90%
From transistor to web: the computing stack explained layer by layer, no prerequisites required.
by Matthew Justice 2020
4.35
160 ratings
The Eye of the Master
by Matteo Pasquinelli • 2023
AI was never about thinking machines. It was built to measure, rank, and control workers.
4.06
292
The Eye of the Master Summary
The Eye of the Master 90%
AI was never about thinking machines. It was built to measure, rank, and control workers.
by Matteo Pasquinelli 2023
4.06
292 ratings
Structured Computer Organization
by Andrew S. Tanenbaum • 1976
From logic gates to assembly code: the layered architecture every computer hides in plain sight.
4.04
591
Structured Computer Organization Summary
Structured Computer Organization 90%
From logic gates to assembly code: the layered architecture every computer hides in plain sight.
by Andrew S. Tanenbaum 1976
4.04
591 ratings
The Big Switch
by Nicholas Carr • 2008
What electrification did to factories, cloud computing is doing to business, labor, and your mind.
3.84
3k+
The Big Switch Summary
The Big Switch 90%
What electrification did to factories, cloud computing is doing to business, labor, and your mind.
by Nicholas Carr 2008
3.84
3k+ ratings
Return to the Little Kingdom
by Michael Moritz • 2009
A Los Altos garage, two unlikely partners, and the unfiltered early years of Apple.
4.00
1k+
Return to the Little Kingdom Summary
Return to the Little Kingdom 90%
A Los Altos garage, two unlikely partners, and the unfiltered early years of Apple.
by Michael Moritz 2009
4.00
1k+ ratings
The Mobile Wave
by Michael Saylor • 2012
A computer in every pocket is about to swallow banking, healthcare, education, and cash.
3.68
326
The Mobile Wave Summary
The Mobile Wave 90%
A computer in every pocket is about to swallow banking, healthcare, education, and cash.
by Michael Saylor 2012
3.68
326 ratings
Quantum Computing
by Brian Clegg • 2021
Online encryption relies on math no classical computer can crack. Quantum ones do it instantly.
3.64
306
Quantum Computing Summary
Quantum Computing 90%
Online encryption relies on math no classical computer can crack. Quantum ones do it instantly.
by Brian Clegg 2021
3.64
306 ratings
Barbarians Led by Bill Gates
by Jennifer Edstrom • 1998
The browser war wasn't won by vision: it was won by weaponizing Windows against Netscape.
3.6
163
Barbarians Led by Bill Gates Summary
Barbarians Led by Bill Gates 90%
The browser war wasn't won by vision: it was won by weaponizing Windows against Netscape.
by Jennifer Edstrom 1998
3.6
163 ratings
The Hacker Crackdown
by Bruce Sterling • 1992
One AT&T crash, one Secret Service raid, and the accidental birth of digital civil liberties
3.80
3k+
The Hacker Crackdown Summary
The Hacker Crackdown 90%
One AT&T crash, one Secret Service raid, and the accidental birth of digital civil liberties
by Bruce Sterling 1992
3.80
3k+ ratings
12 Bytes
by Jeanette Winterson • 2021
AI has a history: female, literary, and older than electricity. A novelist connects the dots.
3.90
2k+
12 Bytes Summary
12 Bytes 90%
AI has a history: female, literary, and older than electricity. A novelist connects the dots.
by Jeanette Winterson 2021
3.90
2k+ ratings
The Code Book
by Simon Singh • 1999
Wars, empires, and the internet all turn on one ancient problem: how to keep a secret.
4.30
29k+
The Code Book Summary
The Code Book 90%
Wars, empires, and the internet all turn on one ancient problem: how to keep a secret.
by Simon Singh 1999
4.30
29k+ ratings
PCs For Dummies
by Dan Gookin • 1992
From plugging it in to fixing it yourself: the manual your PC never came with.
3.57
111
PCs For Dummies Summary
PCs For Dummies 90%
From plugging it in to fixing it yourself: the manual your PC never came with.
by Dan Gookin 1992
3.57
111 ratings
Softwar
by Matthew Symonds • 2003
Oracle nearly died in 1990. Its founder's response: bet the company on an all-in internet gamble.
3.78
499
Softwar Summary
Softwar 90%
Oracle nearly died in 1990. Its founder's response: bet the company on an all-in internet gamble.
by Matthew Symonds 2003
3.78
499 ratings
Exploding the Phone
by Phil Lapsley • 2013
The phone system had a hidden language. The teenagers who mastered it invented the modern hacker.
4.20
2k+
Exploding the Phone Summary
Exploding the Phone 89%
The phone system had a hidden language. The teenagers who mastered it invented the modern hacker.
by Phil Lapsley 2013
4.20
2k+ ratings
In the Plex
by Steven Levy • 2011
Inside Google: how two PhD students turned a search engine into the operating system of modern life.
3.84
30k+
In the Plex Summary
In the Plex 89%
Inside Google: how two PhD students turned a search engine into the operating system of modern life.
by Steven Levy 2011
3.84
30k+ ratings
Google It
by Anna Crowley Redding • 2018
Two Stanford students, a garage, and an algorithm that ranked the entire web by importance.
4.00
617
Google It Summary
Google It 89%
Two Stanford students, a garage, and an algorithm that ranked the entire web by importance.
by Anna Crowley Redding 2018
4.00
617 ratings
The 8088 and 8086 Microprocessors
by Walter A. Triebel • 1991
Master the 8088 and 8086 from the metal up: assembly, debugging, and interfacing.
4.17
195
The 8088 and 8086 Microprocessors Summary
The 8088 and 8086 Microprocessors 89%
Master the 8088 and 8086 from the metal up: assembly, debugging, and interfacing.
by Walter A. Triebel 1991
4.17
195 ratings
The Theory That Would Not Die
by Sharon Bertsch McGrayne • 2011
Statisticians said it was dead. Turing used it to crack Enigma. Computers made it unstoppable.
3.77
3k+
The Theory That Would Not Die Summary
The Theory That Would Not Die 89%
Statisticians said it was dead. Turing used it to crack Enigma. Computers made it unstoppable.
by Sharon Bertsch McGrayne 2011
3.77
3k+ ratings
Geek Sublime
by Vikram Chandra • 2013
Why great code feels elegant: the answer may lie in ancient Indian aesthetics, not algorithms.
3.28
1k+
Geek Sublime Summary
Geek Sublime 89%
Why great code feels elegant: the answer may lie in ancient Indian aesthetics, not algorithms.
by Vikram Chandra 2013
3.28
1k+ ratings
Genius Makers
by Cade Metz • 2021
The outcasts who revived neural networks, and the billion-dollar bidding war that followed.
4.26
3k+
Genius Makers Summary
Genius Makers 89%
The outcasts who revived neural networks, and the billion-dollar bidding war that followed.
by Cade Metz 2021
4.26
3k+ ratings
Computing machinery and intelligence
by Alan M. Turing • 1950
Fool the interrogator through conversation alone, and the machine deserves to be called intelligent.
4.15
574
Computing machinery and intelligence Summary
Computing machinery and intelligence 89%
Fool the interrogator through conversation alone, and the machine deserves to be called intelligent.
by Alan M. Turing 1950
4.15
574 ratings
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