Exploring Extreme Programming
In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World, by Ian Stewart. Stewart explores a variety of important equations, including: Each equation gets a little one-page summary, and a chapter of explanation. I can’t say I could re-trace Continue reading Review: In Pursuit of the Unknown (Ian Stewart)
Accelerando, by Charles Stross. Ace, 2006. This novel explores the Singularity: What happens when AI, uploading, and other variations of humanity (or non-humanity) start to happen. I was worried that a novel on this subject would basically be, “Computers take Continue reading Review: Accelerando, by Charles Stross
Structured Programming, by O.-J. Dahl, E.W. Dijkstra, and C.A.R. Hoare. Academic Press, 1972. This year (2012) is the 40th anniversary of this text, but it holds up well. It consists of three essays: “Notes on Structured Programming” by E.W. Dijkstra Continue reading Review: Structured Programming (Dahl, Dijkstra, and Hoare)
Applying Domain-Driven Design and Patterns: With Examples in C# and .NET, by Jimmy Nilsson. Addison-Wesley, 2006. Stir together Eric Evans’ Domain-Driven Design with Martin Fowler’s Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture, mix in C# code, and you’ve got the flavor of this Continue reading Review: Applying Domain-Driven Design and Patterns (Nilsson)
Ruled Britannia, by Harry Turtledove. This is another of Harry Turtledove’s alternative history novels. In this case, the Spanish Armada succeeded in the late 16th century, and Spain has taken over England. This is the time of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth, Continue reading Review – Ruled Britannia (Turtledove)
Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa. Kodansha International, 1995. Swordplay, true love, and a man climbing up the side of a cliff. It’s not the Princess Bride; it’s the story of Musashi, the most famous swordsman of Japan. This is a romanticized, historical fiction novel. Continue reading Review – Musashi
Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, by Steve Krug. New Riders Press, 2005. This thin book provides guidance on the basics of web usability. It focuses on the importance of doing things in a way Continue reading Review – Don’t Make Me Think (Krug)
Agile Product Management with Scrum: Creating Products that Customers Love, by Roman Pichler. Addison-Wesley, 2010. This is a fairly easy read (about 120 pages) explaining the role of the Product Owner in Scrum. I’d describe the target as “someone preparing Continue reading Review – Agile Product Management with Scrum (Pichler)
Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis A linguist (Ransom) is kidnapped and ends up on another planet. (The science is wobbly, but it’s a classic travel story stretched to unexplored worlds). How will he work with humans or with those Continue reading Review – C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy
The Clockwork Man, by William Jablonsky. Medallion Press, 2010. Late in the 19th century, the world’s best clockmaker creates a clockwork man (who doesn’t like being referred to as a robot). He (it?) lets himself run down, and wakes up Continue reading Review: The Clockwork Man (Jablonsky)