BKCMPPNR.RVW   20000225

"Computer Pioneers", J. A. N. Lee, 1995, 0-8186-6357-X
%E   J. A. N. Lee
%C   10662 Vaqueros Circle, Los Alamitos, CA   90720-1314
%D   1995
%G   0-8186-6357-X
%I   IEEE Computer Society Press
%O   800-CS-BOOKS fax: 714-821-44010 http://www.computer.org
%P   816 p.
%T   "Computer Pioneers"

Biography is frequently cited as the most enjoyable, or least
painless, form of history.  The title of this book, for once, is
almost inaccurate in its modesty.  What we have here is not just a
collection of a few biographies of pioneers, but almost an
encyclopedia of computer innovators and other leaders.

The two hundred and thirty nine people (and one pseudonym) included
span a wide range of managers, financiers, and educators.  At times,
indeed, it seems as if some fo the techies get lost.  The choice of
those to include is, of course, a touchy issue, but the initial
selection process, based on index citations, would seem to favour
those working in large projects or for large corporations.  Kapor is
listed, but not Barlow or Stallman.  Jobs and Wozniak get spots, but
not Gates or Groves.  Thompson is mentioned, but not Ritchie or
Kernighan.  (Or Tanenbaum or Thorvalds, for that matter.  Well, I
suppose that 1995 was a little early for people to be interested in
Linus.)  Knuth is written up, but not Stallings or Goldfarb.

The material is compiled and edited from existing biographical or
autobiographical articles.  Lee notes that this creates some disparity
in style, length, and quality.  It certainly does.  The first entry is
one paragraph, the second goes on for eleven pages, and the third is
only one sentence.  Generally speaking, though, quality and length are
roughly related to importance.

There is structure that is roughly followed in each case.  There is a
short introduction, often a picture, a list of educational and
professional connections (and honours awarded), and then the main body
of the biography.  This is followed by a typical or pity quotation,
and a bibliography both about and by the subject.  In fact, though,
any of these items may be missing from any article, and a number of
the listings given simply the name and a one sentence bio.

Still this work will be of great use to computer historians, and of
interest to pretty much anyone else.  (It certainly added greatly to
my quotes file.)

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2000   BKCMPPNR.RVW   20000225