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Geliebt und gepflegt, aber immer noch sehr gut lesbar. Der Vorbesitzer hatte viel Vergngen mit diesem Buch. Demnach seien Sie sich bitte bewusst, dass einige Falten auf dem Rcken oder leichte Lagerspuren sichtbar sein knnten. Dennoch ist die Lesbarkeit nicht beeintrchtigt. Versand aus dem Herzen Englands. Dieses Buch wird von uns innerhalb von zwei Tagen nach Ihrer Bestellung verschickt und zu Ihnen nach Hause geliefert. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Geliebt und gepflegt, aber immer noch sehr gut lesbar. Der Vorbesitzer hatte viel Vergngen mit diesem Buch. Demnach seien Sie sich bitte bewusst, dass einige Falten auf dem Rcken oder leichte Lagerspuren sichtbar sein knnten. Dennoch ist die Lesbarkeit nicht beeintrchtigt. Versand aus dem Herzen Englands. Dieses Buch wird von uns innerhalb von zwei Tagen nach Ihrer Bestellung verschickt und zu Ihnen nach Hause geliefert. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. See less
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Robert X. Cringely
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Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, And Still Can't Get a Date Paperback – 4 April 1996

English edition by Robert X. Cringely (Autor)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 106 ratings
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This work looks at the business of computing in the US, as computer science, as a business, and as a collection of extraordinary and eccentric characters. After automobiles, energy production, and illegal drugs, personal computers are one of the largest manufacturing industries in the world, and one of the great success stories for American business. This book is linked to a Channel 4 television series entitled "The Triumph of the Nerds".
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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin
  4. Publication date
    4 April 1996
  5. Dimensions
    12.9 x 2.6 x 19.8 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0140258264
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140258264
  8. See all details
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Product description

Amazon 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

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin; 2nd edition (4 April 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140258264
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140258264
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.9 x 2.6 x 19.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 106 ratings

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Robert X. Cringely

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4.5 out of 5 stars
106 global ratings

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Top reviews from Germany

  • victory osikwemhe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and informative
    Reviewed in Germany on 28 December 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book talks about the dramas that took place during the early years of computers and how big tech giant companies came into existence.
    One thing that surprised me the most is Gary Kildall story.
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  • J. K. Kelley
    5.0 out of 5 stars hilarious, biting, an easy read
    Reviewed in Germany on 7 February 2000
    If you aren't in the IS profession, Robert X. Cringely is/was a pseudonym for the best gossip columnist in the industry. He's been in it so long he's familiar with most of the burial places.
    Cringely paints a picture of an industry dominated by people who were driven more by ego than by materialism: they had something to prove. In most cases it is hard to fault his analysis. His statements and conclusions about industry personae and events square with everything I've been able to verify.
    Cringely is excellent at explaining technical concepts to a non-technical audience using analogies, which are often riotously funny as well as helpful. This and the generally bouncy pace of the book will enable it to appeal to you even if you don't consider yourself a techie.
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  • Andy Maree
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Novice Introduction to Computers Ever
    Reviewed in Germany on 15 January 2000
    This book is the most informative, best written, computer book I've ever run across. However, I do echo the regret that in the fast paced world of computers and the people that bring them to us, Cringely has not addressed the latest developments in the past several years (review written in early 2000). However, to bring me up to 1992, and thence updated with his 1996 reprint, I am extremely grateful for a comprehensive history made exciting to read by Cringely's writing style. I highly recommend this as a must read for the technically disadvantaged who of needs must use computers and wish they understood them better, like myself.
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  • C. Hulshof
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very nice anthology of recent history
    Reviewed in Germany on 1 March 2000
    If you are interested in reasons behind the rise of Microsoft, the early demise of CP/M, and other historical facts about the computer industry, this is the book to go for. Cringely is a very informed reporter, who is not afraid to intersperse serious overviews with juicy remarks. This is a book about nerds who became billionairs, which means it definitely deserves to be studied carefully. Interesting and thought-provoking!
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  • bosko@interaccess.com
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious AND nutritious! At least a 12!
    Reviewed in Germany on 31 December 1997
    Absolutely the best book I've ever read on the history of the personal computer--both in terms of information and entertainment. In fact, one of the 10 best non-fiction books I've ever read.

    A wonderfully wry, sometimes gossipy style disguises a smoothly informative narrative and keen insight. (Best example of the latter: the ice cream coupon story.) I read AE when it first came out in hardcover and bought copies for everyone I knew...read it again when it was re-issued as a trade paperback and bought copies for everyone I'd met since the hardcover was out. (I'm not rich, but I wanted everyone I knew to get the same enjoyment I'd had.)
    Besides, can you REALLY resist a book that has chapter titles like "Chairman Gates Leads the Happy Workers in Song"? Can ya?
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  • sanninos@aol.com
    5.0 out of 5 stars How did we ever get into this situation?
    Reviewed in Germany on 29 May 1998
    If you ever wondered how we got to the point of 35MB word processing programs that don't do THAT much more than WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS, this book will show you. Ego and arrogance instead of market research. You may hate Microsoft (this book can explain why), you may love Microsoft (this book can explain why), you will learn about at least a half dozen other companies that had thier chance to BE Microsoft but blew it! (DEC, Xerox, Apple, IBM, CA, HP, Lotus, Borland, etc.)
    As a network engineer and a frustrated history major, this book was written for me. The humorous/cynical/what were they thinking!? tone Cringely uses really livens up the story to a point where those outside the industry can understand and appreciate.
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  • crowland@earthlink.net
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, informative and entertaining.
    Reviewed in Germany on 16 October 1997
    Only the greatest of cynics could not be taken in by Cringely's satire of these conspiracies of our information age. It is a book which offers great perspective in a flurry of media generated ignorance. Although Gates receives the brunt of the ribbing, Cringely leaves no stone unturned, no character flaw unexplored. Only Wozniak and Kapor come out unscathed -- both of whom have left the industry to begin philanthropies of sorts with their millions. Cringely's writing style captivates. Putting down the book is an iconvenience and picking it up again a joy. Having read other books regarding the information age they have been dry and witless in comparison. I literally read this book right off the press in '92 and was thrilled to see its progression into the PBS series "Triumph of the Nerds."
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  • D. Ortman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book.
    Reviewed in Germany on 25 December 1999
    A short read that tells the seemingly blunderous history of the PC industry. The story is told in a witty and accurate manner - quite the joy to read. All of the major companies are chronicled, including Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Xerox, etc.
    The book was first written in 1991 - with a couple chapters added during the 1996 reprint. As such; the book doesn't cover items of the last eight years with much detail. But it more than makes up for it with it's portrayal of the first 20 years.
    One person found this helpful
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  • DRS
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on the birth of Silicon Valley - would love to see a follow-up
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 June 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Read all of the 4 and 5 star reviews. Cringely knows how to convey this part of history as an authoritative insider. With a personal take that you won't find from any basement nerd, Cingely writes with a nuance, humor and journalistic prose that can be understood and appreciated by any reader.

    He also has a series called "Triumph of the Nerds." - Highly recommended and very entertaining
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  • Domny
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 December 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have read it several times and each time my friends borrow it and never return it. So I have bought it again
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  • F FERNANDEZ BERNAL
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesantísimo
    Reviewed in Spain on 8 January 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Escrito en un lenguaje ameno, por una persona que entiende de lo que habla (no es un historiador que no sabe de informática).
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  • suresh
    4.0 out of 5 stars Its very good to know about sillicon valley evolution
    Reviewed in Japan on 6 September 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Great information how the tech leaders were built the industry.
    by reading this book many bill gates and steve jobs was in silicon valley during the evolution.
    many silicon entrepreneurs fall and risen in a great way.
    Very good and gives you how you can lead your industry by following some ethics in this book.
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  • tom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quality very nice
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 November 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Good quality book for a very cheap price. Superb.
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