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The Soul of A New Machine Paperback – June 1, 2000

by Tracy Kidder (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,585 ratings
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  1. Pulitzer PrizeWinner, 1982
  2. National Book AwardWinner, 1982
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Tracy Kidder's "riveting" (Washington Post) story of one company's efforts to bring a new microcomputer to market won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and has become essential reading for understanding the history of the American tech industry.
 



Computers have changed since 1981, when The Soul of a New Machine first examined the culture of the computer revolution. What has not changed is the feverish pace of the high-tech industry, the go-for-broke approach to business that has caused so many computer companies to win big (or go belly up), and the cult of pursuing mind-bending technological innovations.


The Soul of a New Machine is an essential chapter in the history of the machine that revolutionized the world in the twentieth century.


 

"Fascinating...A surprisingly gripping account of people at work." --Wall Street Journal
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Back Bay Books
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 2000
  5. Dimensions
    5.55 x 1.1 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0316491977
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0316491976
  8. See all details
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  1. Yet it is a fact, not entirely lost on management consultants, that some people would rather work twelve hours a day of their own choosing than eight that are prescribed. Provided, of course, that the work is interesting. That was the main thing.
    Highlighted by 251 Kindle readers
  2. Executives might make the final decisions about what would be produced, but engineers would provide most of the ideas for new products. After all, engineers were the people who really knew the state of the art and who were therefore best equipped to prophesy changes in it.
    Highlighted by 196 Kindle readers
  3. Much of the engineering of computers takes place in silence, while engineers pace in hallways or sit alone and gaze at blank pages.
    Highlighted by 181 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"It has the ring of truth....For readers who would like to know what it takes to make a computer, how computers are organized, and who the people are who put them together, I strongly recommend The Soul of a New Machine. I do not know anything quite like it".

-- Jeremy Bernstein, New York Review of Books

From the Back Cover

Computers have changed since 1981, when Tracy Kidder indelibly recorded the drama, comedy, and excitement of one company's efforts to bring a new microcomputer to market. What has changed little, however, is computer culture: the feverish pace of the high-tech industry, the mystique of programmers, the go-for-broke approach to business that has caused so many computer companies to win big (or go belly up), and the cult of pursuing mind-bending technological innovations. By tracing computer culture to its roots, by exploring the "soul" of the "machine" that has revolutionized the world, Kidder succeeds as no other writer has done in capturing the essential spirit of the computer age.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Back Bay Books (June 1, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316491977
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316491976
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 1.1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,585 ratings

About the author

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Tracy Kidder

Tracy Kidder

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Tracy Kidder graduated from Harvard and studied at the University of Iowa. He has won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Award, and many other literary prizes. The author of Mountains Beyond Mountains, My Detachment, Home Town, Old Friends, Among Schoolchildren, House, and The Soul of a New Machine, Kidder lives in Massachusetts and Maine.

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4.5 out of 5 stars
1,585 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They describe the narrative as engrossing with interesting anecdotes. The book provides informative insights into product development and management styles. They appreciate the accurate portrayal of the characters and their challenges. Overall, customers find the book informative and enjoyable to read.

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ReadabilityStorytellingInspirationInformation qualityPicture qualityCharacter developmentEntertainment value
99 customers mention "Readability"89 positive10 negative

Customers find the book engaging and worth reading. They appreciate the useful data and the author's skill in describing the story and characters. The book provides valuable insights for managers and computer engineers alike.

"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..." Read more

"...A fun classic read with numerous applicable lessons! Below are two excerpts that I found particularly relevant:..." Read more

"...It's technical enough that some on in the industry will enjoy the read but it's just as much a story about the engineers who built the machine." Read more

"This is a superb book about an old product development — but many lessons which we seem to have forgotten in the intense structuring of modern work." Read more

54 customers mention "Storytelling"54 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging narrative about the engineering of a new minicomputer. They find the anecdotes interesting and relatable, providing a good understanding of how technology has progressed. The book is described as a wonderful history for electrical engineers, with a gripping plot.

"...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..." Read more

"This book is a fascinating recount of Data General's effort to bring a new computer to the market...." Read more

"...have for their work - the long hours, the camaraderie, and the joy of creation...." Read more

"Great story that gives a layman point of view on engineering a functional 32 bit computer in the turbulent computer industry of the late 70s...." Read more

33 customers mention "Inspiration"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and insightful. They say it provides a good case study for different industries and provides an inside view of the complexity of the industry and engineering. The narrative illuminates the engineering psyche, showing how innovation occurs.

"...Through the narrative, Tracy Kidder adeptly illuminates the engineering psyche: the rush derived from the freedom to create, the sensation of being "..." Read more

"...(Tom) is a strong believer in grass-root effort and had the ability to build a team, rally them toward a common cause and lead them to success...." Read more

"...Kidder provides his readers with still another opportunity to examine the dynamics of teamwork that is sustained under severe pressure from all..." Read more

"...1. The ability for a team to come together and against all expectations to produce something faster then anyone expected...." Read more

24 customers mention "Information quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-written. They say it provides a rare and amazing insight into how a company creates products. The story is enjoyable and fascinating, making it a must-read for tech buffs. The book is useful and not too nerdy, with good data. It's an important work that isn't mired in geeky vocabulary.

"...The book elucidates the paradoxical competing motivations that inspire an employee to maintain a daunting schedule that eclipses their personal life...." Read more

"...businesses (regardless of what they do), would find this book a good source of info." Read more

"This is an exceptionally important work...." Read more

"Tons of good and useful data. The style is captivating. Kidder is a great story teller and teacher. This story matters." Read more

9 customers mention "Picture quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pictures accurate and a fascinating look at how things were done in the 1980s. They describe it as an easy read that captures the era when everything was possible and computers were still far away.

"A very nice and easy read, would take probably 2 - 3 days to complete this book...." Read more

"Tons of good and useful data. The style is captivating. Kidder is a great story teller and teacher. This story matters." Read more

"...The book is very eye opening and also pictures the era where everything was possible and computers were still far from being consumerized ...." Read more

"The Soul of A New Machine is a fascinating look at how a new computer was designed in the late 1970s...." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's character development. They find the characters elucidating and relatable, with similar challenges faced by others. The portrayal of exceptional engineers in action is also well-received.

"...Kidder introduces the reader to a wonderful cast of characters who worked incredible hours and faced enormous time pressures under great stress for..." Read more

"...The author did a great job telling the story, elucidating the characters, and making it kind of exciting...." Read more

"...The players were all to real and their challenges similar to those faced by others all across the industry. Great study." Read more

"...It gets into the personalities that were important in the building of the computer, lots and lots of technical details, and keeps the story running..." Read more

6 customers mention "Entertainment value"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's entertainment value. They find it entertaining, engaging, and exciting. The view behind the scenes is fun and brings back thrills.

"...But it is FUN to drive in the fast lane!" Read more

"...But above all it’s just a fun and amazing look into the early days of computing...." Read more

"...Kidder's book is engaging and terrifically written. It is a landmark work of modern non-fiction writing, and fully deserves its Pulitzer." Read more

"engaging and exciting view behind the scene...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Dale E Alleshouse
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Entertaining and Amazingly Relevant to Modern Day Engineering!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    22 people found this helpful
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  • O. Halabieh
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Soul of a New Machine Lives On!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a fascinating recount of Data General's effort to bring a new computer to the market. Through the stories we re-live moments of "drama, comedy, and excitement" as an engineering team works day and night in the goal of developing a computer - project code "Eagle". The author focuses on the natural tension that exists between the engineers and their management. Particularly that of a focus on product vs. the market and the race to develop the next computer.

    Within this book are numerous lessons on technical leadership, management and organizational dynamics. The lead on the effort (Tom) is a strong believer in grass-root effort and had the ability to build a team, rally them toward a common cause and lead them to success.

    As mentioned on the cover: "What has changed little, however, is computer culture: the feverish pace of the high-tech industry, the mystique of programmers, the entrepreneurial bravado that has caused so many start-up companies to win big (or crash and burn), and the cult of pursuing mind-bending technological innovations. By tracing computer culture to its roots, by exploring the "soul" of the "machine" that has revolutionized the world, Kidder succeeds as no other writer has done in capturing the essential of the computer age."

    A fun classic read with numerous applicable lessons!

    Below are two excerpts that I found particularly relevant:

    1- "Software compatibility is a marvelous thing. That was the essential lesson West took away from his long talks with his friend in Marketing. You didn't want to make a machine that wasn't compatible, not if you could avoid it. Old customers would feel that since they'd need to buy and create all new software anyways, they might as well look at what other companies had to offer; they'd be likely to undertake the dreaded "market survey"."

    2- "Adopting a remote, managerial point of view, you could say that the Eagle project was a case where a local system of management worked as it should: competition for resources creating within a team inside a company an entrepreneurial spirit, which was channeled in the right direction by constraints sent down from the tip. But it seems more accurate to say that a group of engineers got excited about building a computer. Whether it arose by corporate bungling or by design, the opportunity had to be grasped. In this sense, the initiative belonged entirely to West and the members of his team. What's more, they did the work, both with uncommon spirit and for reasons that, in a most frankly commercial setting, seemed remarkably pure."
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jason Benze
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and well written
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    When I started working in information technology, Data General's DG/UX was the first operating system I learned and it was nice to take a peek years later into the workings of company that created it as well as the system that is the focus of this book. The Soul of a New Machine walks the reader through the entire design of a new computer system from conception to completion. It's technical enough that some on in the industry will enjoy the read but it's just as much a story about the engineers who built the machine.
    Helpful
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  • D. Garnett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Reminder of the Unusual Ways Products Develop
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a superb book about an old product development — but many lessons which we seem to have forgotten in the intense structuring of modern work.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Guillermo Qro
    5.0 out of 5 stars La impresión y pastas son excelentes
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    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 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.
    Customer image
    Guillermo Qro
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    La impresión y pastas son excelentes

    Reviewed in Mexico on April 2, 2024
    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 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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  • Tiago
    1.0 out of 5 stars The book arrived damaged.
    Reviewed in Poland on February 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The book arrived damaged. See attached photo.
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    Tiago
    1.0 out of 5 stars
    The book arrived damaged.

    Reviewed in Poland on February 24, 2022
    The book arrived damaged. See attached photo.
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  • andrew
    5.0 out of 5 stars Create a vision, have people sign on, let them off the leash and make sure they know who feeds them
    Reviewed in Canada on August 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Tension, adversity, competition, appreciation, resource allocation and passion, all occasioned in timely measures to achieve an individual and collective rewarding end, will accomplish the seemingly impossible. This book is as much about management and team cohesion as it is about product vision, development and market penetration. The articulation and structuring of objectives and the leadership principles to guide innovation to a market leading product, are timeless. Tracy Kidder has excelled at describing the inner workings of an emerging, successful high tech company and the diversity of people who labour passionately and assiduously to bring their efforts to fruition.
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  • N
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gran libro
    Reviewed in Spain on April 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Es un gran libro, muy recomendable para un amplio espectro de lectores, pero sobre todo a los que sienten pasión por la tecnología.
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  • Rob Clarke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read, worth the money and worth the Pulitzer. Not much else to say...
    Reviewed in Australia on May 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I'm old enough to remember the early days of computers. The smell of solder, the punched cards trying to write Fortran, burning EPROMs at midnight. I guess you had to be there to be that close to the story but the story is about men trying to do something that had never been done before. That's why I did it and that's why they also risked a great deal.
    His seeing into the hearts and minds of the engineers could only come from spending a lot of time with them, to both see and feel the pressure, the pain and well, for some, the rewards.
    Report