Ask HN: Are there good books about computers that aren't textbooks?

2 pointsjh32 comments

If someone without a computer [science] background was interested in learning more about computers, what they can do, programming, etc., but did not want to read a textbook, what books would be good to recommend?

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The book Algorithmics: The Spirit of Computing doesn't read like a textbook to me, and it's quite interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Algorithmics-Spirit-Computing-David-Ha...

The New Turing Omnibus

http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Turing-Omnibus-Excursions/dp/0...

is also good, as is Code by Charles Petzold.

http://www.amazon.com/Code-Language-Computer-Hardware-Softwa...

AFTER EDIT: While I thought about the first three books I mentioned, I thought of another, Write Great Code, Volume 1: Understanding the Machine by Randall Hyde.

http://www.amazon.com/Write-Great-Code-Understanding-ebook/d...

I've see Code in B&N but never did more than quickly skim through it. And I've never heard of the other two. Thanks!

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