The Soul of a New Machine, by Tracy Kidder. Modern Library, 1997 (originally 1981).
This is the story of the Data General Eagle, a computer designed to compete with DEC’s VAX. It tells of a special kind of project where people put themselves under a siege to complete a project in less time than it “should” take. This is not a story of “sustainable pace.” This interesting book is mostly focused on the story, but it’s not afraid to dive into some technical detail when that conveys what’s going on.
(Reviewed Oct. 19, 2009)