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Comment by taeric | Hacker News Reader

I have to confess I just discovered you can order a relatively cheap copy (well, compared to Amazon) of SICP direct from MIT.

I have only skimmed so far, but combined with the lectures I have to say that I really wish that had been my introduction to programming. Maybe it is just because of where I'm at, but it really feels like in the first 3 lectures some of the more elusive topics of programming are at least touched. Sure, you will need to seek out more, but it is not as hidden behind "but for this language, you have to do this" kind of crap.

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Years ago, I was very interested in having the physical book to read, but too cheap to buy a new copy. Every once in a while I would check half.com and book shopping comparison sites looking for a cheap used copy. One day in December 2006, there was a rift in The Matrix and Barnes and Noble was selling the hard copy 2nd edition for ... $7.00 (new). I ordered two copies and as soon as they were physically in my hands, I tried to order more. Alas, the glitch had been fixed by then. Sometimes I wonder if there shouldn't be a general price scanning app that will alert on wild changes in the price of a popular book.

Like camelcamelcamel.com? I set up price alerts for big wishlist items; it's a great service.

I hadn't heard of that site, thanks! Back in 2006 or so, I was a heavy user of Addall.com for comparing prices across various book sellers. I would point people there and mention that it must be "Amazon's worst nightmare." Fast forward a few years and Amazon used books ate their lunch. Addall.com gave up so completely, their site often returns two hits for the same item, the short and long ISBN. There can't be much profit for Amazon to sell used books, but I suppose it is important to keep even the used book buyers "down on the farm."

You can also read the online version which is free!

At the website: http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html

Or as a pdf: https://github.com/sarabander/sicp-pdf

And info: http://www.neilvandyke.org/sicp-texi/

> I have only skimmed so far

For the mind-blowing effect to occur, you must actually do the exercises. (-:

Yes, agreed, if you are reading this book, don't skip the exercises! You might need to refresh some math skills (just a bit), but it is worth it.

I was just going to post that they are on my agenda. I have actually toyed with the thought of putting together a "book club" to go through them. I will probably have to put this off till the Fall, though.

https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/reading-s...

is a reading group just starting up now if anyone is interested

I've put in my request to join. :) Apologies for leaving the body of the request blank. Didn't realize it was something that would get reviewed.

Link to the book at MIT Press [ Paperback | $49.00 | £33.95 ]

http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/structure-and-interpretation-c...

Amaozn's got it for $46.55 (and it's eligible for Prime shipping) and MIT has it for $50; maybe I'm missing something?

http://www.amazon.com/Structure-Interpretation-Computer-Prog...

Only that my information is out of date. :) Last I looked they did not have this as an option. Well, they did, but look at the hardcover cost, and that is all I could find for a while.

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