- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; 2nd Revised edition edition (4 April 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140258264
- ISBN-13: 978-0140258264
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 45,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Robert X. Cringely manages to capture the contradictions and everyday insanity of computer industry empire building, while at the same time chipping away sardonically at the PR campaigns that have built up some very common business people into the household gods of geekdom. Despite some chuckles at the expense of all things nerdy, white and male in the computer industry, Cringely somehow manages to balance the humour with a genuine appreciation of both the technical and strategic accomplishments of these industry luminaries. Whether you're a hard-boiled Silicon Valley marketing exec fishing for an IPO or just a plain old reader with an interest in business history and anecdotal storytelling, there's something to enjoy here.
In his new conclusion, Cringely looks at the likely near-future of the PC industry, arguing that most of the major companies are facing a need to dramatically reformulate their mission in the light of engineering developments already in the works. He offers a new paradigm for the development of the industry as it moves from its early "start up" phase into a more mature, more competitive era. --Jake Bond
Review
"The title is an inspiration, and Cringely's whimsical, matter of fact style--an attribute altogether missing in the urgent, go-go lifestyles of the people he writes about--makes the book itself worth reading. It has a sense of perspective most books about the high-tech priesthood sorely lack."-- "USA Today""A wonderfully readable, acerbic and funny tale of America's most important industry'"-- Tom Peters"Cringely writes in a tone that's part "Spy Magazine, " part "Newsweek, " and part "The Wonder Years.""-- "Los Angeles Times""An epic tale. The best book on the subject so far."-- "New York Daily News""A fascinating book . . . well worth the time."-- "Sacramento Bee"As compelling and entertaining read as "Barbarians at the Gate."-- Roger von Oech
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
Years ago, when you were a kid and I was a kid, something changed in America. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Years ago, when you were a kid and I was a kid, something changed in America. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a set text for OU T171, so I had to get it. But I really enjoyed it... the style was easy to read (particularly compared to the second set text)... you can tell it is written by a journalist, but at least they are supposed to be able to write. I read this one like a novel from cover to cover in one weekend. The author is easier on Bill Gates than other books I know, but overall it seemed quite a well researched history of PCs (as compared to most books which cover the history of computers). I'd recommend it - and fellow students can breathe a sigh of relief!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Accidental Empires gives a fairly broad outline of the development of the personal computer from the days when it was first created and no-one realy knew what it was going to be used for, up to around 1996 when Bill Gates was already up to his umpteenth million. Though the author does have an in depth knowledge of all the key characters in the world of the computer such as Steve Jobs of Apple or the nerdy Mr Gates, I do feel at times that he has a personal axe to grind with some of them. Despite this, I found the book a compelling read (the fact that I have finished the book is to some degree testiment to this) and though I have only read this book in connection with Open University course T171 I feel that it has given me a taster of a subject about which I knew little and certainly leaves the me wanting to study the subject more deeply. The author has a witty and easy to read writing style, with which he pokes a sometimes cynical and often humourous stick at a world which seems to the layperson to take itself too seriously at times.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am currently studying with the Open University and this is one of the set books we have had to read. I found it a very good read, although some of the anecdotes were a little hard to swallow at times, in particular the one about Bill Gates in a late night store buying ice cream. Robert Cringely was a guest in one of our on-line conferences, and actually confirmed that this story is true as told to him by another customer in the same checkout line. The book outlines where computers originated and where Silicon Valley came from, from Bob Noyce, (inventor if the integrated circuit), to William H Gates, (CEO of Microsoft). Don't think we owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Gates for the introduction of the PC either. This goes to Gary Kildall - read the book to find out more. An easy read, amusing at times and very informative.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mostly good information, but badly 'packaged'
I bought this book as part of my self taught self led management course. This was supposed to fill in the back story of the industry and perhaps sow some management styles that... Read more
Published 3 months ago by JT
well written, historic and funny
A great and easy read. If you are like me and have only an outside interest in the computer industry this book is for you. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Damo
Boys will be Boys!
Accidental Empires (later made into a great TV production called: Triumph of the Nerds) is an eye opening view of the personal computer revolution and the who made it happen from... Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2008 by C. Clayton
Fascinating history of the computing industry
I read this book after I saw the author's three-part documentary on the very same subject. Robert X. Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2003 by Andrew Roberts
Opinionated, but concise
Cringeley sees no reason to allow the facts to confuse the issue. Typically he takes a page or three to make a single point in his rambling and opinionated longhand. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2002 by C. Carlyle
Fascinating but flawed
As a seasoned UK IT 'Pro' with 16 years PC and Mainframe experience, I came to this book expecting anecdotes about the movers and shakers of the PC World. Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2002 by foster@tesco.net
Less trumpet blowing would have made it better.
Overall this is a very well written book which gives an inside view of the American PC industry. I would recommend anyone who is in the PC industry reads this book. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2001 by Graham Wilkinson (info@grahamwilkinson.co.uk)
Fantastic reference
An amazing insight into the world of computing brand names and people. Very entertaining and eye opening.
Is crying out for an updated version.
Highly recommended.
Published on 20 May 2001 by Indian Bookworm
A witty and realistic view on the evolution of the PC
Every now and then there comes along a book which I find I can't put down. Accedental Empires is such a book. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2001 by icdavies@lineone.net
Humourous, but substantial insight to a history of computing
I like many others read this book for the Open University Course T171 and it convinced me to take the course. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2000
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