Exploring Extreme Programming
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 Continue reading Review – The Soul of a New Machine
Presentation Zen, by Garr Reynolds. New Riders Press, 2008. Have you ever used PowerPoint(tm) templates with bullet points? I have. Garr Reynolds shows how to use strong visuals instead. The trick is to trim down to your essential story, then Continue reading Review – Presentation Zen, by Garr Reynolds
Want a taste of Jungian psychology but don’t want to spend $100+ and wait 3 months for The Red Book? Robert A. Johnson gives a quick taste of a Jungian approach. He: Understanding Masculine Psychology, by Robert A. Johnson. Harper, Continue reading Review – “He” and “We”, by Robert A. Johnson
Dune, by Frank HerbertWhen I think through my favorite science fiction, I always come back to Dune. It’s a sweeping and powerful mix of intrigue with ecology. Herbert creates a unique but plausible world, and explores the forces that move Continue reading Review – Dune
Frankenstein (Dean Koontz et al.): (I can’t resist posting this review on Halloween.) A pair of detectives are working to solve murders and other other mysteries. Frankenstein or his monster are involved. The dialog is snappy, the characters are fun, Continue reading Review – Frankenstein (Koontz)
Structured Design. Edward Yourdon and Larry L. Constantine. Prentice-Hall, 1979. This was one of the early structured “standard works” that I’ve only just gotten to for the first time. I’d learned things like coupling and cohesion, afferent and efferent flows, Continue reading Review – Structured Design
The Well at the World’s End (volume 1 and volume 2), by William Morris, Borgo Press, 2000. [Originally published 1896!]This is considered the first fantasy novel set in its own world. William Morris was an artisan (leader of the Continue reading Review – The Well at the World’s End
Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip-Hop, by Adam Bradley. Basic Books, 2009. Rap is like Ireland to me – there’s an overlap in language and culture, I can sense that there are important differences I’m not tuned to, and Continue reading Review – Book of Rhymes
Anathem, by Neal Stephenson, Harper, 2009. Thinkers are cloistered in a kind of monastery; something changes; consequences ensue. It’s hard to say much more without leaking key plot twists. It’s a solid story, with some geeky side trails. Long and Continue reading Review – Anathem
The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger, Mariner Books, 2004. This is the story of an involuntary time traveler who often ends up at the same place at a different age. It explores love and fear against that background. A Continue reading Review – The Time Traveler’s Wife