Filled with first-hand accounts of ambition, greed, and inspired engineering, this history of the personal computer revolution takes readers inside the cutthroat world of Commodore. Before Apple, IBM, or Dell, Commodore was the first computer manufacturer to market its machines to the public, selling an estimated 22 million Commodore 64s. Those halcyon days were tumultuous, however, owing to the expectations and unsparing tactics of founder Jack Tramiel. Engineers and managers with the company between 1976 and 1994 share their memories of the groundbreaking moments, soaring business highs, and stunning employee turnover that came with being on top in the early days of the microcomputer industry. This updated second edition includes additional interviews and first-hand material from major Commodore figures like marketing guru Kit Spencer, chip designer Bill Mensch, and Commodore co-founder Manfred Kapp.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By hectorjl
Format:Hardcover
It is hard to find a document telling a neutral point about personal computing. Everywhere you find Apple as the pioneers of personal computing, when the truth is they were not relevant until much later. If you want to know how history is, and not what some people would have liked it was, try this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By necronom
Format:Hardcover
My review is based on the 1st Edition.
If you are a fan of Commodore and are interested in the stories behind it I can't imagine you not liking this book. It has some great stories, and I was very impressed with the amount of infomation.
This one is an expanded version of the 1st edition and has more pictures, though it stops at the Amiga. There is another book coming out next year that continues from the Amiga's release.
If you are a fan of Commodore and are interested in the stories behind it I can't imagine you not liking this book. It has some great stories, and I was very impressed with the amount of infomation.
This one is an expanded version of the 1st edition and has more pictures, though it stops at the Amiga. There is another book coming out next year that continues from the Amiga's release.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Irenicus
Format:Hardcover
I recently purchased the second edition of this book and was absolutely blown away by the level of detail and great writing style. I just couldn't put it down before I turned the last page, literally! The level of detail and personal accounts/views of all these famous people is presented in a way that everyone will enjoy, not just computer enthusiasts. There is a bit of technical information and backround on the computer chips etc., but it never gets to a level of say a design document or dry technical manual. It is a well written account of Commodore's golden days, as heard from the mouth of those famous people who were making history. This book has more than any article or internet site that you could find today. It even includes a bit of "where are they now" at the end.
As said by one previous reviewer, it ends where Jack Tramiel is forced out, but promises a second book to come in 2012, I can't wait!
As said by one previous reviewer, it ends where Jack Tramiel is forced out, but promises a second book to come in 2012, I can't wait!
By mal
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having owned a C64 in my teen years, and having learnt BASIC and assembler thanks to it, I found this history of Commodore irresistible reading.
Technical detail is a bit scarce for the technically minded, but the story of the people behind the machines and the many dramas that unfolded through the company history make for compelling reading and provide some interesting business lessons.
Sadly this book covers up the C64 and not much more, I hope the second part about the Amiga years is soon available on Kindle.
Technical detail is a bit scarce for the technically minded, but the story of the people behind the machines and the many dramas that unfolded through the company history make for compelling reading and provide some interesting business lessons.
Sadly this book covers up the C64 and not much more, I hope the second part about the Amiga years is soon available on Kindle.
By A. dunipace
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought the original edition and must have ready it at least six times. As my copy is getting a bit tatty it seemed the ideal opportunity to upgrade to a kindle version.
As has been stated by other reviewers, this is a very different book from the first edition. Bagnall finishes with Jack Tramiel leaving commodore, excluding the creation of the C128 and the Amiga years.
Trust me, you will really enjoy this book.
This version appears to have more input from Kit Spencer, giving greater insight. I look forward to the second volume.
There are several things, however, that prevent me from giving it five stars:
In the introduction he mentions revisionist rewriting history to exclude commodore from the early days of the computer industry. However, Bagnall makes reference to Sinclair's "junk computer" and states in a later chapter "Despite the similar look and price, the ZX Spectrum dominated over the C116 in the UK. However, the C64 continued its domination of the ZX Spectrum, making the C116 redundant."
I am not aware of the C116 ever being released in the UK. It was the C16. Also, as someone who worked in retail at the time my recollection is that the C64 and spectrum both sold roughly 50/50 in the UK, with the spectrum possibly selling more. The spectrum sold over 5 million units (excluding a huge number of clone machines)in it's 10 years life.
It is understandable that this book is written with a North American point of view, but I worry that an uninformed reader would believe Sinclair were a small footnote in the computer industry. Where did the UK stats come from?
But as I said, great book!
As has been stated by other reviewers, this is a very different book from the first edition. Bagnall finishes with Jack Tramiel leaving commodore, excluding the creation of the C128 and the Amiga years.
Trust me, you will really enjoy this book.
This version appears to have more input from Kit Spencer, giving greater insight. I look forward to the second volume.
There are several things, however, that prevent me from giving it five stars:
In the introduction he mentions revisionist rewriting history to exclude commodore from the early days of the computer industry. However, Bagnall makes reference to Sinclair's "junk computer" and states in a later chapter "Despite the similar look and price, the ZX Spectrum dominated over the C116 in the UK. However, the C64 continued its domination of the ZX Spectrum, making the C116 redundant."
I am not aware of the C116 ever being released in the UK. It was the C16. Also, as someone who worked in retail at the time my recollection is that the C64 and spectrum both sold roughly 50/50 in the UK, with the spectrum possibly selling more. The spectrum sold over 5 million units (excluding a huge number of clone machines)in it's 10 years life.
It is understandable that this book is written with a North American point of view, but I worry that an uninformed reader would believe Sinclair were a small footnote in the computer industry. Where did the UK stats come from?
But as I said, great book!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, it is different to the 1st Edition. And definitely worth getting!
22 Nov 2012
By Mr. T. Haddrell
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having been a long time Commodore user I was most curious what drove this company. And utilimately what killed it.
When the first edition came out I was most curious and bought and read it. It was great! A true eye opener.
So, when this second edition came out I wondered if it was worth getting. Was there anything different? Well the answer to both questions is "Yes!". It is most definitely worth getting.
This second edition puts into context what Commodore were doing in relation to the rest of the industry. Playing with Digital Cameras in the early 80's. What competitors were doing at the time when the C64 came out.
Well written, great insites, and good stories from the people who were there at the time.
Worth getting even if you have the first edition.
When the first edition came out I was most curious and bought and read it. It was great! A true eye opener.
So, when this second edition came out I wondered if it was worth getting. Was there anything different? Well the answer to both questions is "Yes!". It is most definitely worth getting.
This second edition puts into context what Commodore were doing in relation to the rest of the industry. Playing with Digital Cameras in the early 80's. What competitors were doing at the time when the C64 came out.
Well written, great insites, and good stories from the people who were there at the time.
Worth getting even if you have the first edition.
By Buzz
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a history book with a writing style and narrative to put action novels to shame. For the subject matter, it is difficult to imagine a more streamlined mix of interview material, fact finding, character insight and just plain good storytelling. And as if the story wasn't interesting enough, every other page Jack Tramiel comes along and does something out of the ordinary, just to keep you reading how that turned out.
Even though I missed out on Commodore during the 8-bit era (I could not afford the C64), the passion and affection behind the products is so evident, page after page, that after reading this book I am more fond of the C64 than if I owned one!
Minor gripes: sporadic spelling and grammar mistakes (in a 2nd edition?), and a rather persistent belittling of Wozniak's work at Apple.
All in all, this is a must-read for anyone even remotely active in personal computers during the late 70s and early 80s.
The second part of the story is eagerly awaited.
Even though I missed out on Commodore during the 8-bit era (I could not afford the C64), the passion and affection behind the products is so evident, page after page, that after reading this book I am more fond of the C64 than if I owned one!
Minor gripes: sporadic spelling and grammar mistakes (in a 2nd edition?), and a rather persistent belittling of Wozniak's work at Apple.
All in all, this is a must-read for anyone even remotely active in personal computers during the late 70s and early 80s.
The second part of the story is eagerly awaited.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read
I grew up with the C64 and then the A500 etc. This book is a fascinating insight into the history of Commodore as a whole, right from the first computer that they made. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Isaac
4.0 out of 5 stars
You can't stop reading
The book is very good, I am struggling to put it away even that I know it's late.
It would be nice if it had more images and detailed technical info but I guess you can find... Read more
It would be nice if it had more images and detailed technical info but I guess you can find... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Digger
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating read!
It's not the most well written book on computing history, but the chronology, interviews, quotes and sheer amazing story make this a "must own" book if you want to know what... Read more
Published 17 months ago by N. Speakman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating read
The Commodore 64 and Amiga 500 I owned when I was young played a great part of my life to the extent that i chose a career as a software developer. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Borgar Olsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredibel
I started reading the book, and some a lot of things just came back to me, about playing with printboards etc. Read more
Published 23 months ago by claus
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