Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers
Written by: John Alderman
Editorial Reviews:
An unprecedented combination of computer history and striking images, Core Memory reveals modern technology's evolution through the world's most renowned computer collection, the Computer History Museum in the Silicon Valley. Vivid photos capture these historically important machines including the Eniac, Crays 1 3, Apple I and II while authoritative text profiles each, telling the stories of their innovations and peculiarities. Thirty-five machines are profiled in over 100 extraordinary color photographs, making Core Memory a surprising addition to the library of photography collectors and the ultimate geek-chic gift.
If you like "Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers, you might also like ...
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Mixed feelings about this book, but I am glad I own it.
Comment: The book is a great overview of the history of commerical/military computer development in the last 60+ years. Hits most of the major models, and mentions why they're in the book. Each one was a special devleopment in it's time for one reason or another.
But after reading it, I wish it was about 2x the size, physically. It's a large book alredy, but it should be art-sized. And it could EASILY be several hundreds of pages. I know it's more of an overview book, but it would be great if each model had it's own chapter, including design diagrams, pictures of the installations, programmers, builders, etc.
On it's own it's a great book, and well worth the money. But the computer-nerd in me sees the potential of this content...
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic, but a tease
Comment: It's absolutely wonderful to see these pioneering machines - many of which no longer exist in working form - commemorated in this way. The photography is superb, the range of machines covered is broad, the print quality is excellent.
But I find myself wanting more. More photographs of each machine, and more information. Or at very least pointers to easily obtained information - the few references given are obscure and impossibel to access outside of a large, US, academic library.
A great gift book - especially for those newbies who think that the first computer was called the IBM PC, or the Apple ][.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A wonderful trip back in time
Comment: This book is a wonderful trip back in time for those of us old enough to have lived through most of the computer age. I saw front panels and innards of computers I had programmed years ago that were almost forgotten.
If you're an old timer, this book will bring on waves of nostalgia. If you are younger, you'll get a look at how computers were made back when the parts were still big enough to see.
Highly recommended!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Goes way back
Comment: I was hoping for more of a home computing persepctive, circa the 80s. This is more commercial and we don't see the apple or c64 til the end of the book. However, the photography is superb, though it comes off as being a bit nerd fetishist.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A work of art more than a history
Comment: This book is a stunningly beautiful work of art. With well-composed shots of decades' worth of computers, it's a joy to look at.
However, the book is not anything like a comprehensive computer history. Each computer covered has just a short description, enough to give it some context. Nor are the pictures of each computer comprehensive; clearly, they've been chosen for their artistic value, not to give an overall view of the machine.
I will admit that the pictures were still enough to take me down memory lane, even if for me that starts with the Apple ][ and TRS-80. But, I didn't learn anything about those computers that I didn't already know.
So, as long as you're willing to approach this as an art photography book, I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a history of computing, this isn't it.
Dewey Decimal Number: 004
EAN: 9780811854429
ISBN: 0811854426
Label: Chronicle Books
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 160
Publication Date: 2007-05-10
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Studio: Chronicle Books
 | List Price: $35.00 Our Price: $35.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Customer Rating:  |
Editorial Reviews:
An unprecedented combination of computer history and striking images, Core Memory reveals modern technology's evolution through the world's most renowned computer collection, the Computer History Museum in the Silicon Valley. Vivid photos capture these historically important machines including the Eniac, Crays 1 3, Apple I and II while authoritative text profiles each, telling the stories of their innovations and peculiarities. Thirty-five machines are profiled in over 100 extraordinary color photographs, making Core Memory a surprising addition to the library of photography collectors and the ultimate geek-chic gift.
If you like "Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers, you might also like ...
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Mixed feelings about this book, but I am glad I own it.
Comment: The book is a great overview of the history of commerical/military computer development in the last 60+ years. Hits most of the major models, and mentions why they're in the book. Each one was a special devleopment in it's time for one reason or another.
But after reading it, I wish it was about 2x the size, physically. It's a large book alredy, but it should be art-sized. And it could EASILY be several hundreds of pages. I know it's more of an overview book, but it would be great if each model had it's own chapter, including design diagrams, pictures of the installations, programmers, builders, etc.
On it's own it's a great book, and well worth the money. But the computer-nerd in me sees the potential of this content...
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic, but a tease
Comment: It's absolutely wonderful to see these pioneering machines - many of which no longer exist in working form - commemorated in this way. The photography is superb, the range of machines covered is broad, the print quality is excellent.
But I find myself wanting more. More photographs of each machine, and more information. Or at very least pointers to easily obtained information - the few references given are obscure and impossibel to access outside of a large, US, academic library.
A great gift book - especially for those newbies who think that the first computer was called the IBM PC, or the Apple ][.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A wonderful trip back in time
Comment: This book is a wonderful trip back in time for those of us old enough to have lived through most of the computer age. I saw front panels and innards of computers I had programmed years ago that were almost forgotten.
If you're an old timer, this book will bring on waves of nostalgia. If you are younger, you'll get a look at how computers were made back when the parts were still big enough to see.
Highly recommended!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Goes way back
Comment: I was hoping for more of a home computing persepctive, circa the 80s. This is more commercial and we don't see the apple or c64 til the end of the book. However, the photography is superb, though it comes off as being a bit nerd fetishist.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A work of art more than a history
Comment: This book is a stunningly beautiful work of art. With well-composed shots of decades' worth of computers, it's a joy to look at.
However, the book is not anything like a comprehensive computer history. Each computer covered has just a short description, enough to give it some context. Nor are the pictures of each computer comprehensive; clearly, they've been chosen for their artistic value, not to give an overall view of the machine.
I will admit that the pictures were still enough to take me down memory lane, even if for me that starts with the Apple ][ and TRS-80. But, I didn't learn anything about those computers that I didn't already know.
So, as long as you're willing to approach this as an art photography book, I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a history of computing, this isn't it.
Technical Details
Binding: HardcoverDewey Decimal Number: 004
EAN: 9780811854429
ISBN: 0811854426
Label: Chronicle Books
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 160
Publication Date: 2007-05-10
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Studio: Chronicle Books
