Customer Reviews

Phoenix: The Fall & Rise of Video Games

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I ordered this book to serve as "back up evidence" in a museum presentation I did several months ago concerning the history of video games, and it served its purpose well... and it's also earned a place in my personal book collection.

For years I've wanted to write a definitive history of video games, but now I don't feel like I need to- it's been done for me. Some may say that Phoenix is a dry regurgitation of press releases, but it's the most concise and most objective historical reference work concerning video games that I've read.

The book is short and blunt- there aren't sugary-sweet phrases or "sound bites" within- the book is chock full of facts and data for people who are truly interested in the evolution of the American video game industry.

As is usual with books of this type, there are several minor factual errors- I doubt that a 100% accurate book could ever be compiled. Leonard Herman has done an excellent job compiling information, and has done an admirable job staying away from opinion and conjecture. Despite small errors here and there, Phoenix stands as one of the best histories of electronic games, and a model for concise writing.

Now for the personal desires; I feel that Phoenix should have focused more upon computer games within the book- especially the 8-bit computers (Apple II, Commodore 64, and Atari 8-bit) which supplanted video game systems for several years- they are covered minimally in appendices. I would also have enjoyed a world-wide perspective, rather than an American-specific view. I also wish Phoenix had gone into detail concerning individual game systems and companies- there is little explanation concerning the disappearance of quite a few of them. Perhaps the stories concerning the failure of individual companies would overwhelm the book and obscure its purpose of showing the industry's growth and change, but it's a subject so far left uncovered.

Regardless of what I wish had been covered, what Phoenix does cover, it covers well. It's probably the most important book for classic video game enthusiasts to own and read.

Let me set the record straight. This is not an engaging story about the rise and fall of videogames. This is more a historical account of the rise and fall of videogames. Which is a good thing. Chock full of good, reliable information, and broken down by year. This is a fast and enjoyable read, with a great balance of wit and facts. If you can get your hands on a copy, I highly suggest picking one up.

Phoenix has a very specific targed audience: Those interested in the business side of the home console industry. For us, Phoenix is a riviting book on the history of videogames, from Space War to Sony. I have not been able to put this book down for two days straight. The rest of the world will find Phoenix to be merely a well written and thorough history text book about a very specific part of americana. If you count yourself in the former group, then Phoenix is required reading. If you are a member of the latter, Phoenix is a good refresher course of your lifetime of gaming.

Basically a compendium of information that appears to be derived from press releases. A bit weak on technical details. Not much about industry personalities. Strong on home consoles, weak on the games themselves. Very limited coverage of computer and coin arcade videogames. But it does provide a useful chronology of the home videogame industry.

A very interesting book that's full of insider info. I was amazed to read about all the different consoles that I had never heard of before, mainly because they were only released in Japan.

I would have liked to have read more about the technical side of things (ie cpu and memory specs) but apart from that this book bought back some fond memories for me.

Phoenix is a good book about the history of videogames, but I found it to be too dry and impersonal in parts. I would have liked more interviews and first-hand accounts, and less matter-of-fact reporting. However, if you want a good reference book on the history of videogames ("When did so-and-so come out? What year was that system released?") I recommend Phoenix. Just don't expect to get caught up in any human details.

Phoenix is just one of those books that comes along and leaves you edcucated on so much. From the beginning of the computer all the way into the peak of the industry, Phoenix tells you everything that happened in the industry and when--from humble beginnings to lawsuits to layoffs to great games, the video game industry has compelled (and still does compell) us all. Even if you're not a frequent videogamer or left it behind a long time ago, Phoenix may just change your view. One great read.

Mr. Herman's book has garnered praise from all walks of the videogame industry, and for good reason. It's a great read, and I'll guarantee you'll learn something. I considered myself quite knowledgeable on the subject, but it just goes to show-someone ALWAYS knows more... well researched and coherent. This book will be referenced for years to come. Get your today, while they're still cheap!

My Step Dad had to have this one! I even had to peak in on some of the stuff before I gave it to him for the holidays! It has some really interesting information about all the video games. Was fun to learn about some of the systems I missed! Pong ftw!

Leonard Herman did an excellent job researching the history of video games for PHOENIX, one of the only "video game history" books on the market, but his book is really, really dry, without any kind of point-of-view or personality at all. It's as if he simply re-wrote old clippings from gaming magazines of the era, putting it into some kind of perspective that die-hard nostalgia freaks like me will understand, but newcomers are likely to not get it at all. Overall it's one of the only books out there on the subject, which makes it important, yet the writing style and the lack of personality make it a tedious and somewhat disappointing work all told.