Hard Drive: Bill Gates and the Making of the Microsoft Empire

click here for more details, find new or used items	J Wallace New from £50.95 Used from £0.01 Pages: 464 (Paperback) ISBN: 047194081X Pub: John Wiley & Sons Pub date: 1993-09-13 Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 710841

Reader Reviews:

A compelling insight into the man behind Microsoft (6/6 people found this helpful)

Regardless of what you may think about Microsoft, its products, or Bill Gates himself, this book is a compelling read. Released in 1992, this book only covers up to the release of Windows 3.0, but that is most of the real story, most people know the rest. This work covers Gates' childhood and education, his early introduction to computing, and the foundation of the Microsoft empire.

The book does not fawn over Gates, nor does it condemn him, the authors are investigative newspaper reporters, and have been thorough in their research. The story covers every aspect of Gates' life, including his social background, personal relationships, and business relationships.

The technical coverage is excellent and accurate, while not so deep as to loose the non-technical reader. The original development of Microsoft BASIC for the MIPS Altair and other early microcomputers, the development of DOS and its displacement of CP/M, and the struggle to make Windows a Mac beater are all covered.

As a history of micro computing, the book is excellent, every key player, (Gary Kildall, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Paul Allen, Dan Bricklin etc.), and development is covered in fascinating detail and in an historical context that really demonstrates the importance, and influence of these pioneers on todays computing and applications environment.

Bill Gates does little to give away the real man behind Microsoft; this book provides insights into a complex personality not normally perceived by the popular media. If nothing else, this book will give substance to any opinions or prejudices you may have about Gates, and may actually change those opinions!

Includes a middle section of archive photographs.

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