|
|
|
|
| With a title like that you'd think this would be one of the most boring books on Earth. And to most people it would be. I on the other hand found it to be one of the most fascinating books I've read this year. I always tell people that my history with personal computers dates back even before IBM. IBM produced their first "PC" in 1980 - about two years after I had mine, and about six years since I first became interested in them. Leonard wrote his book in a very simple dry style but he is intimatly familiar with his subject. Starting with the history of the computer video games in the early '70s he then covers the rollercoaster markets of the entire video game and home computer industry. When you think about history books you imagine dusty texts on the Civil War, Napoleon, and the birth of Christ. The video game/home computer industries have seen such a tumultuous twenty years that the times are more than ready for a book such as this. Leonard talks about every game and machine that came out, reminding us of our recent histories and obsessions but more than that, He goes behind the scenes and explains what led to the big video game crash of 1983. And therein lies the tale - the entire industry (well at least Sega and Nintendo) rose up like a phoenix to become successful again. I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, but if your childhood was filled with flashing CRTs, you're sure to be as engrossed as I was. |