8 Nerdy Non-fiction Books you should read
What’s it called?
Fire in the Valley:
The Birth and Death of the Personal Computer
Who wrote it?
Paul Freiberger and Michael Swaine
Can I read it online for free?
Sorry, but no.
Anything else I should know?
Yes, a couple of things!
They made a movie called Pirates of Silicon Valley. Good movie, but not quite as accurate as the book.
There is an older version of this book with the subtitle of “The Making of The Personal Computer”. That book is older and doesn’t contain much of the end of the story. Be careful that you are getting the correct one.
What’s it called?
The Cuckoo's Egg:
Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer EspionageWho wrote it?
Clifford Stoll
Can I read it online for free?
It appears to be available when you search for it, but I’m not sure if those links are on the level.
Anything else I should know?
This story can be enjoyed by anyone as a true adventure story! But I think old school computer nerds will also get a lot of good nostalgia from it.
Be aware that there is another book called The Cuckoo’s Egg that is completely unrelated to this book. Check the author and description before buying.
What’s it called?
Free Culture:
How Big Media uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control CreativityWho wrote it?
Lawrence Lessig
Can I read it online for free?
Yes! You can read Free Culture on ibiblio.
Anything else I should know?
What’s it called?
Just for Fun:
The Story of an Accidental RevolutionaryWho wrote it?
Linus Torvalds and David Diamond
Can I read it online for free?
No.
Anything else I should know?
Be aware that there is another book called The Cuckoo’s Egg that is completely unrelated to this book. Check the author and description before buying.
What’s it called?
The Cathedral and the Bazaar:
How Big Media uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity
Who wrote it?
Eric Steven Raymond
Can I read it online for free?
Absolutely! Read The Cathedral and the Bazaar on Eric Raymond’s own page.
Anything else I should know?
Most of the book is available online. And some of that online stuff is more updated than the published book, but the published book is the only complete work.
What’s it called?
The Art of UNIX Programming:
How Big Media uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity
Who wrote it?
Eric Raymond
Can I read it online for free?
Yes! You can read The Art of UNIX Programming on Eric Raymond’s own page..
Anything else I should know?
What’s it called?
Free Software, Free Society
Selected Essays of Richard M. StallmanWho wrote it?
Richard Stallman
Can I read it online for free?
Of course! Here is a link to the PDF for Free Software, Free Society.
Anything else I should know?
What’s it called?
Free as in Freedom 2.0:
Richard Stallman and the Free Software Revolution
Who wrote it?
Sam Williams and Richard Stallman
Can I read it online for free?
All of Stallman’s writing are freely available. Here is the PDF of Free as in Freedon 2.0.
Anything else I should know?
The original book was written as a biography by Sam Williams. This 2.0 version is Richard Stallman’s own revision of that work to fix and clarify many things.
