A History of Modern Computing

by Paul E. Ceruzzi

Book Overview

From the first digital computer to the dot-com crash--a story of individuals, institutions, and the forces that led to a series of dramatic transformations.

This engaging history covers modern computing from the development of the first electronic digital computer through the dot-com crash. The author concentrates on five key moments of transition: the transformation of the computer in the late 1940s from a specialized scientific instrument...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0262532034
• ISBN13: 9780262532037
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: MIT Press
• Length: 460 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A History of Modern Computing

This review is of the 1st edition, published in 1998. Ceruzzi's A History of Modern Computing is an academic book, not a popularization of the history of computers. It is not a chatty book. There are no personalities in it. There is no journalistic reporting of conversations, nor of the progression of various difficulties and triumphs during the design and development of the computer systems discussed. This is not a comprehensive history of computers. ENIAC is mentioned, but this book begins its history, post-WWII, with UNIVAC. The focus is upon US developments. It was not written to inform computer scientists and engineers of detailed design elements of past computer systems, although design elements of both hardware and software are discussed. It is the story of the rise and fall of the mainframe and the rise of the personal desktop computer; but it does not provide a history of Apple or Microsoft or of the development of the Internet. It is more satisfying as a history than the the 1st edition of the book Computer: A History Of The Information Machine by Martin Campbell-Kelly and William Aspray (which I read after reading this book), because there is more detail. It complements their book very well and would be a good choice to read if you read that and wish for more. But this is still within the realm of what I consider first looks. Contents - Introduction: Defining "Computer" 1. The Advent of Commercial Computing, 1945-1956 2. Computing Comes of Age, 1956-1964 3. The Early History of Software, 1952-1968 4. From Mainframe to Minicomputer, 1959-1969 5. The Go-Go Years and the System/360. 1961-1975 6. The Chip and Its Impact, 1965-1975 7. The Personal Computer, 1972-1977 8. Augmenting Human Intellect, 1975-1985 9. Workstations, UNIX, and the Net, 1981-1995 Conclusion: The Digitization of the World Picture

An excellent history

Ceruzzi provides a history of the central developments in computer history since the 1940's. No, it doesn't fully cover software and doesn't cover every computer made everywhere in the world, so it shouldn't be the only computer book you read. This book is simply the best, single volume history of the development of the electronic computer (hardware), from the 1940s to modern times. The biggest gap, as a previous reviewer pointed out, is the omission of Shockley. Many obscure systems which were redundant or evolutionary dead-ends aren't covered as fully as they could have been, but he details most of the ones that had a major impact on the world. I would recommend a history of software, as well as a history of computer precursers (such as Babbage's machine) to accompany this history. Those reviewers who didn't like the book had unrealistic expectations--it has a very specific focus. The book is mildly technical, but you certainly don't have to be a computer expert to understand it. (For those who want to know more about the software industry the book "From Airline Reservations to Sonic the Hedgehog: A History of the Software Industry" by Martin Campbell-Kelly is one of many good books on the subject. "Early British Computers" by Simon Lavington covers British developments in computer hardware.)

Technical details

This book is a history of computing technology since 1945. Ceruzzi focuses mostly on hardware, giving very detailed descriptions of how the great mainframes were built and by whom. He also discusses how transistors and microchips were developed and came into use in computers, although his descriptions of the development of computer languages, operating systems, or other software are much briefer than those he provides for hardware. The book has a number of illustrations of people and the machines they made famous. The author seems very careful to give an accurate account of events and the book is very well footnoted. It also includes an excellent index and bibliography. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the technical aspects of the history of computers.

Methodical & articulate but never dull

Very well researched (the bibliography alone is worth the price of the book) history of computing from ENIAC to the day Netscape's stock went public. Focuses less on personalities and more on technological development and the social forces at work driving it. Ceruzzi also dispels a number of tired myths and cliches. He also rightfully places Ken Olsen of DEC as the true father and hero of modern networked personal computing.

OUTSTANDING! Wonderful book

Well, as I did with the ENIAC book, I disagree completely with the reader from Switzerland. I wonder if they even read the book, considering it mentions the Z3 as well as many other early computers and calculating devices.This book is a fast-paced can't-put-it-down read -- assuming of course that you're interested in the history of computing from about the 40's through the early 90's.Very well organized. Very well written. Very well researched. Doesn't get too caught up in who made millions and when, nor does it get caught up in the various academic and business computer debates that have come and gone over the years. A perfect balance of noting the history without taking sides.Overall an excellent read. I'd give it six stars out of five if I could.