The Soul of a New Machine is a captivating book that chronicles the creation of Data General's Eclipse MV/8000 computer from the engineers' point of view. Through the narrative, Tracy Kidder adeptly illuminates the engineering psyche: the rush derived from the freedom to create, the sensation of being "lost in the machine", the feeling of power that comes from bringing order to chaos, the personal identity associated with creation. The book elucidates the paradoxical competing motivations that inspire an employee to maintain a daunting schedule that eclipses their personal life. Tracy may understand engineers better than they understand themselves. In fact, as an engineer, I understand myself better after reading this book.
Being set in the late 1970s, the book provides the reader with an authentic glimpse into a bygone era when yellow legal pads and pencils were essential engineering tools. What's surprising is the similarities to modern-day. Engineers are still wrestling with the same fundamental questions: can machines think, what are the ethical implications of computing, what's the perfect balance between done and right? Then and now, engineers are attempting to cope with the "long-term tiredness" resulting from the rampant pace of innovation that can render a recent graduate more skilled than an industry veteran. The human component remains the most perplexing. In the end, "people are just reaching out in the dark, touching hands." The book serves as a refreshing reminder that although technology evolves at a breakneck pace, the design process remains much the same.
In conclusion, The Soul of a New Machine should be required reading for business and engineering students alike. The enduring lessons are to hire smart people, enable them, and get out of their way. Engineers thrive on agency and the potential to materialize their conceptions. No amount of external motivation can breathe commiserate vitality into a design process. If you are an engineer or a manager, do yourself a favor: read and understand The Soul of a New Machine.
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Top reviews from other countries
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Guillermo QroReviewed in Mexico on April 2, 2024
La impresión y pastas son excelentes
Llegó muy rápido, 3 días antes . Tengo, de hace años la versión en español la encontré en un tienda de libros usados (pero estaba nuevo). Habían muchos, como en calidad de desecho. Y por mucho tiempo estuve buscando la versión original. La compré a muy buen precio.La impresión y pastas son excelentesGuillermo Qro
Reviewed in Mexico on April 2, 2024
La calidad de impresion y pasta es excelentes.
En cuanto a contenido es apasionante (si eres electrónico) el leer como trabajaron en el diseño de una computadora de los años 70s.
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- TiagoReviewed in Poland on February 24, 2022
The book arrived damaged.
The book arrived damaged. See attached photo.The book arrived damaged.Tiago
Reviewed in Poland on February 24, 2022
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- andrewReviewed in Canada on August 15, 2019
Create a vision, have people sign on, let them off the leash and make sure they know who feeds them
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- Rob ClarkeReviewed in Australia on May 14, 2024
Worth the read, worth the money and worth the Pulitzer. Not much else to say...
