Customer Reviews

The Home Computer Wars

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If you are 1., a computer industry history enthusiast, and 2., ever owned a Commodore computer such as the PET, VIC-20, or Commodore 64, then you should try to find a copy of The Home Computer Wars by Michael S. Tomczyk. Most computer history books I have read seem to only mention Commodore as a footnote, never seeming to give it its proper dues or recognizing how it impacted the industry. As far as I know, this book is the most detailed available when it comes to Commodore's role in the history of computing.

The Home Computer Wars is subtitled "An Insider's Account of Commodore and Jack Tramiel." And that it is. This book is short on technical detail but heavy on the inside information on what went on in Commodore from 1980 to 1984. From the perspective of a fanatical Commodore user from the 80s (like yours truly), the most interesting aspect of this book is Tomczyk's chronicle of the creation and marketing of the VIC-20. The VIC-20 was the predecessor to the C64, and it could be argued (as Tomczyk does) that the VIC-20 was the first real home computer "for the masses."

This book is as much about Jack Tramiel as it is about computers. Tramiel was Commodore, and his method of management and goals for the company were called "the Commodore Religion," and the insiders of Commodore who believed in his vision were called "Commodorians" by Tomczyk. Tramiel was a holocaust survivor that rebuilt a small calculator company into the first computer company to have over a billion dollars of revenue in a year.

It's quite educational to read a home computer "history" book that was written long before the world decided on the "PC clones" that most of us use now. 1984 was still an era where the computer industry was barely beginning to emerge from a technological dark age of competing and incompatible platforms. In keeping with the theme of the title, Tomczyk writes as if he were a soldier in the trenches of a protracted land war. It's a great read if you have the interest in the subject matter. Get a copy if you can.

How good is this book! This is essential to anyone who want to learn about the real people who were involved with shaping the PC industry, that we all take for granted now. This isn't a 'possibly happened like this'. This is actually written by a man who was involved, who saw it first hand, who wrote this exceptional book, so that we could all have an insight.

Yes, I was a Commodorian. I found this book gave me an insiders view of all my hero's from my childhood. How it all happened, the good decisions, the weird decisions (with the benefit of hindsight) and how they, at first (liek everyone I guess), really didn't appreciate what influence they would have on the future.

Do yourself a big favour. Get a copy of this book and make sure the real history of the 'Home Computer Wars' is known. History is written by the winners, but sometmes the eventual losers are the ones to learn about. That's were the real innovation occured.

This book was hard to find, but it was well worth it. I consider it a "must have" if you are interested in Commodore and in the history of the home computer industry. Michael Tomczyk combines a very unique personal perspective and touch with profound knowledge of the facts and events he describes. This book is also extremely well written. Highly recommended.

An interesting look at Michael S. Tomczyk's life at Commodore during the early computer years. He gave some really interesting insights about founder Jack Tramiel and what is like to work at Commodore during those revolutionary years and also the industry at whole. This is a must for any Commodore enthusiast and early computer historians!

Michael S. Tomczyk also has a webpage:
http://www.michaeltomczyk.com/Tech-Pioneer.php which is intersting to see what he is doing now.

I'm reading this book after being told from a friend and having the reference from "The spectacular rise and fall of Commodore", and i find it's absolutely a bible for commodore fans. The "insider" in the title is perfect to describe the perspective of the narration.
More, the author has a fresh and nice style that lets flow the reading.
Great book.