Hackers
Heroes of the Computer Revolution
by Steven Levy · first published 1984
69% recommend30% neutral1% critical
Why HN recommends it
Narrative history of 1950s-80s hacker culture, from the MIT AI Lab to Homebrew and Sierra, focused on its personalities. Inspired many readers to program; suits newcomers and anyone wanting computing's roots.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Today, technology is cool. Owning the most powerful computer, the latest high-tech gadget, and the whizziest website is a status symbol on a par with having a flashy car or a designer suit. And a media obsessed with the digital explosion has reappropriated the term "computer nerd" so that it's practically synonymous with "entrepreneur." Yet, a mere fifteen years ago, wireheads hooked on tweaking endless lines of code were seen as marginal weirdos, outsiders whose world would never resonate with the mainstream. That was before one pioneering work documented the underground computer revolution t
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Some that I liked: - Hackers : http://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Computer-Revolution-Anniversar... - The Soul of a New Machine: http://www.amazon.com/The-Soul-A-New-Machine/dp/0316491977 - Show Stopper! : http://www.amazon.com/Show-Stopper-Breakneck-Generation-Micr...…
on “Ask HN: How to learn about the history of computing?” ↗They weren't written in 2018, but some I enjoyed: * Hackers: Heroes of the computer revolution (Steven Levy) * Masters of DOOM (David Kushner) * The simpsons and their mathematical secrets (Simon Singh) * Countdown to zero day (about stuxnet, by Kim Zetter)…
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗May I suggest Hackers by Steven Levy [0]. It was a phenomenal and inspirational read for me. Having born during the turn of the century, I'd missed the evolution of computers and programming. This book helped me fill that…
on “John Carmack's adolescent years (2003)” ↗…understand the hacker culture, you must understand its background and history. Here are some good books: "The Jargon File", Eric S. Raymond (ed.) http://www.catb.org/jargon/ "The Cuckoo's Egg", Cliff Stoll "Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution", Steven Levy "Where Wizards Stay up Late", Katie Hafner
on “Ask HN: What are the books to learn the hacker culture?” ↗In case anyone here hasn't read it yet, this should be required reading for any would-be computer geek: https://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Computer-Revolution-Steven-Le... I picked this up randomly off a university library shelf and before I knew it, I was halfway through the book and my feet were hurting.
on “Spacewar: Fanatic Life and Symbolic Death Among the Computer Bums (1972)” ↗Computer history is one of my favorite topics, so I've read a lot over the years. Here's my list: >> Classic computer history: - "Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution", Steven Levy - "The Innovators", Walter Isaacson - "Valley of Genius: The Uncensored History of Silicon Valley", Adam Fisher [innovative format, tons of interesting…
on “Ask HN: What are more books like “Masters of Doom” or “Showstoppers”?” ↗Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution ~ Steven Levy The Soul of a New Machine - Tracy Kidder
on “Ask HN: Computer Science/History Books?” ↗…Both are brilliant. “John Adams” by David McCullough. Possibly the best historical bio ever. “The Making of the Atomic Bomb” by Richard Rhodes. The best recounting of the founding of Los Alamos. “Hackers” by Steven Levy. The best book on the birth of creatine coding. “The Soul of a New Machine” by Tracy Kidder. The best tale of hardware design I know. “Masters of Doom” by David Kushner. The best…
on “Ask HN: Examples of good technical writing?” ↗Yeah... author should read Hackers before writing another word about history of computing, there is hardly a correct sentence in that blog post - http://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Computer-Revolution-Anniversar...
on “A Story about Symbolics Lisp Machines” ↗Neither of these is exactly what you asked for, but both are awesome in their own way, and both are (narrow and somewhat dated) histories: Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution by Steven Levy. The Pulitzer Prize Winning) The Soul of a New Machine, by Tracy Kidder. The second one literally changed my life in leading me to computers. Links: https://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Heroes-Computer-Revolution-An...…
on “Ask HN: Anything Like Carl Sagan's Cosmos for Computer Science?” ↗Whatever book that inspires or lights a fire in you. For me it use to be "Hackers" by Steven Levy, I will go on massive coding binges after reading that. Doesn't work anymore tho. :-D
on “Ask HN: What books do you recommend reading once a year?” ↗Wow, can't believe nobody has mentioned the classic, _Hackers_, by Steven Levy. Another book I found interesting, but is focused more on the early history of Silicon Valley as a whole, not just computing, is _Valley of Genius_, by Adam Fisher.
on “Ask HN: What are some great posts or articles about history of computing?” ↗- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig - Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution by Steven Levy
on “Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books.” ↗…interesting. http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Code-Programmers-Transcendent... Another one that may be inspirational, although it's more about personalities than computer science per-se, would be Steven Levy's Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution. http://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Computer-Revolution-Steven-Lev...
on “Ask HN: What's an inspirational pop book about Computer Science?” ↗It sounds like you are referring to "Hackers" by Steven Levy. It's a great book and that's a great story. I've posted it here: http://frammish.org/used_up.html
on “The Conscience of a Hacker” ↗