The Dream Machine: J.C.R. Licklider and the Revolution That Made Computing Personal

"The Dream Machine" is billed as the story of J.C.R. Licklider, one of the main driving forces behind the research and engineering of personal computing. However, at least half of the book actually consists of general computer science history having little directly to do with Licklider, but which rather serves as context for Licklider's long and varied career. Well, it seemed to me that both aspects were handled very well by the author Mr. Waldrop and I am certainly much more educated now on computer science.Though quite long at nearly 500 pages, the book was actually a page turner for me as the style of the prose is closer to that of a novel than of a textbook. I found the transformation of government funding from virtually unlimited in the '50s and '60s (e.g. the massive SAGE project) to greatly budget constrained in the '70s fascinating, as well as the various contractors' reactions to the changing federal priorities.I give this 4.5 stars as it could have used a bit more focus on the purported subject, Licklider. Highly recommended for anyone with a strong interest in computers and software.

Great reporting, and a vivid account of the ideas, people, and aspirations that led to the digital world that surrounds us today. Waldrop tells a gripping story, with human depth. He also understands the complexity and brilliance of the world these giants helped to build.

I found the book very informative, just the kind of details I was looking for about computing's history, and the pioneers behind it. However it wasn't an easy read for me. Not because it was too technical, but because it seems it gave a ton of details about every person, every organisation, entity, project, government program involved. I almost wish I had created a chart that kept track of how everything connected, since people moved around different companies, one company formed into another, one agency into another, one project spawned another, etc.. Also lots of acronyms to remember.

Mitch Waldrop's book is simply a classic. It is the finest work on the intellectual and face-to-face history of the evolution of the computer revolution. Stop searching, this is the best; I assign this book to my students and they love it. It is both intellectually challenging and remarkably thoughtful on all sides of the IT transformation. It is also a fine biography of one of the great technological visionaries and vision-enablers of our time, Licklider. And it is the best picture of early DARPA, period. Throughout it all, it is highly readable, making both the technology history and the rich information theory of the time readily accessible. A remarkable book.

Because of this book, I have a completely newfound respect for the people that developed the internet and computing as we know it. I always viewed pre-21st century computing as a somewhat dull affair, but this book has forced me to view things differently. Ostensibly about Licklider, it's really a book about the history of computers from 1944-1980, and it covers Arpanet, Xerox PARC, DEC, university research labs, and the folks that moved between these organizations and made the world as we know it.

A seminal work. Waldrop penned a refreshing, detailed and passionate account of what he and his protagonists knew would be most the important story ever told

It is former Library edition and I don't believe it was stated to be ex-library.Not a deal breaker for me but might be for some buyers. I just wanted a readable hardbound edition, which this one is.Book arrived well wrapped - protected from elements .

Book condition was much better than expected. Waldrop's research was masterful. J.C.R. Licklider was a true polymath and (sadly forgotten) prime mover in what now is a global resource. This deserves a place on every history of 20th Century technology bookshelf.

Why did I read The Dream Machine? History is important. It inspires us and it informs us about the present and we can learn about it to shape the future. I was inspired to work in marketing for the technology sector by Robert X Cringely’s book Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, and Still Can’t Get a Date.Cringely inspired me with a tale of extraordinary people, strong personalities and a bit of youth rebellion. Cringely touched on the contribution of early pioneers like Doug Engelbert and Bob Metcalfe, but placed most of his emphasis on Larry Ellison, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.John Markoff’s What the Dormouse Said: How the Sixties Counterculture Shaped the Personal Computer Industry covered the earlier generation of innovators in more depth, particularly Engelbart.The Dream Machine: J.C.R. Licklider and the Revolution That Made Computing Personal tells the story from the point-of-view of J C R Linklder, a polymath who was instrumental in putting in place a lot of the projects and infrastructure that was needed to make the necessary developments. Linklider was a psychologist by training who realised the power and potential of technology way before it was possible.Waldrop tells the story well, painting Licklider as a human being: a wonderful polymath, parent, researcher and a useless manager. He also paints the broader historical picture taking in ARPA, DEC, Xerox PARC, Al Gore and the Information Superhighway.

Este libro está, sin duda, entre mis 10 libros favoritos. Creo que deberían leerlo los aficionados a la historia de la tecnología, y todos aquellos que tengan un trabajo relacionado con ordenadores o con Internet, para que disfruten de la narración que el autor ha hilado en torno a Licklider, uno de los protagonistas de la historia de los ordenadores e Internet, en la que aparecen los investigadores, las instituciones y los hechos más relevantes que han permitido que actualmente podamos disponer de ordenadores en nuestras casas, conectados a internet, y con una funcionalidad que, hace no muchas décadas, podría sonar a ciencia ficción.Creo que me tendré que quedar con la pena de no llegar a ver este libro traducido al español (hace casi 7 años estuve intentando encontrar algún editor que se animase a publicarlo en español, pero no lo conseguí). Con la "lata" que le llevo dando al autor durante estos últimos cinco años, al menos he conseguido que lo publicara en formato de libro electrónico, porque desde hace mucho tiempo que en papel se podía conseguir casi exclusivamente de segunda mano (a menos que estés dispuesto a pagar por uno nuevo como si fuese jamón de pata negra...).Para que os hagáis una idea que cuánto me gustó, os diré que tengo tres ejemplares en papel de este libro (más la versión como libro electrónico) para ir prestársela a amigos sin que tengan que comprarlo ellos (así no tienen disculpa para no leerlo).

Best history of the computer revolution I've ever seen. Seems to be only available on Kindle. Why isn't this masterpiece back in print?