Asunder: An Unauthorized History of the Origins of Java Programming Language (Paperback)

~ Richard Stiller (Author), Jos Marlowe (Author), Richard J. Stiller (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 225 pages
• Publisher: Briarwood Publications; 1 edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892614022
• ISBN-13: 978-1892614025
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,232,103 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Delusions of grandeur..., February 2, 2000

By A Customer

This is a badly written book by two people who are apparently proud of stabbing a naive executive in the back instead of attempting to rally the staff to solve his problems. They rationalize their actions as necessary to "save" Java and paint themselves as adept politicians whose inspiration is Lawrence of Arabia. Benedict Arnold would be a more accurate portrayal.

I know many of the people in this book on a first name basis and I can tell you that the idea that these two saved Java is utter nonsense.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Java--the Inside Scoop from the Personnel Dept., June 12, 1999

By A Customer

A poorly written, self-serving saga starring a human resources employee with visions of Arabia (and of getting on the glory train of Java) and a bit player at the outer edge of the technology, whose exaggerated roles are not supported by the more carefully written histories or accounts of the project. It is primarily useful in showing the corrosive effect of the Silicon Valley "success" machine on those who live there but can only watch from the edge.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Who are these authors?, March 2, 1999

By A Customer

Rich and Jos were bit players in a very complicated play with many stars and even more important supporting actors. Like survivors of the Titanic from steerage, they can write about the experience without having had any idea about the complex set of decisions which led to the sinking, nor having had any influence over the events.

For the authors to describe themselves as in any way the "saviors" of Java shows more hubris than any of the celebrated egomaniacs that clashed to bring Java to market.

The notion that a low level human resources generalist wielded the slightest influence on the course of that history is laughable.