My single favorite non-fiction work. (Probably better than any fiction I've read, too) Even if you're not a gamer, this book has such a great story and has so much to offer when it comes to software development in general.

Same here. I read this every year -- it motivates me like no other work or fiction or reality. I bought a few copies for friends, and it seems to have similar effects on them. I can't recommend it enough.

You may also like "Racing the beam", which is not so long on human interest but has a lot of great technical, social and business perspective on the Atari era.

I listened to the audiobook for around 15 minutes and just couldn't see what's so good about it. I think it was the reader's tone and voice (Wil Wheaton) that made it sound... is "rad" the word? I might try reading it in eBook form instead.

I found it fun to listen to, but the author had this weird habit of foreshadowing everything as if there was always some huge earth-shattering reveal around the corner.

"And this wouldn't be their last obstacle moving in to the lake house … [Next chapter]: Also, John stubbed his toe on a door."

Between that and Wil's enthusiastic reading — buying in to each and every one of those sure-to-be-disappointing wind-ups — it was kind of exasperating. But I'd say it's worth it, regardless. I'd agree it's probably way better as an eBook. There was lots of interesting stuff, and some glorious nostalgia :)

I didn't like Wil Wheaton's reading of Ready Player One either. The main character came off as, I don't know, whiney I guess. I have nothing against Wil Wheaton himself. The reading just didn't do it for me.

Masters of Doom is a great book though. I read it a couple years back. I recommend picking up a copy if the audiobook isn't working out.

> The main character came off as, I don't know, whiney I guess.

Well, the main character is whiny, and I found the book to be terrible, so I don't think your opinion is too off base.

I feel the same way. Which is odd considering how many people suggested it on /r/audiobooks. But I found the nostalgia pandering to be a bit much.

hear hear. I cannot honestly understand why that book is so popular.

Shit, I just blew coffee all over my laptop at reading that Wil Wheaton voiced it. I wouldn't be able to hear anything but a starry-eyed Mary Sue Crusher rendition of the book. Nothing against the dude but the association is strong.

Read it. It's worthwhile.

Is that because that's just the primary association you still have for him, or because that's just what came to mind? I'm wondering because Wil Wheaton has had quite a bit of positive exposure over the last decade, enough so that even while I don't really follow the stuff he does all that closely (or at all), I still hear about it enough that my primary association for him is no longer the ST:TNG character

I read the ebook. I skipped a lot of it and just read the interesting parts. I would recommend skimming it.

It was probably the voice that was annoying - I read the paper copy and really enjoyed it. If you like books like Hackers, Crypto, Soul of a New Machine, What the Dormouse said etc. you'll probably like it.

Ugh! Thanks for the warning. I can't stand Wil Wheaton.

Was so disappointed to find out he did the audio book version. Unlistenable

Give it another chance. It's worthwhile.

I just finished this book 5 minutes ago. Can't recommend it enough.

You might also enjoy the Blizzard book:

Stay Awhile and Listen: How Two Blizzards Unleashed Diablo and Forged a Video-Game Empire [1]

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Stay-Awhile-Listen-Blizzards-Video-Gam...

Great book. I wish there was more literature in this vein. Some other fun reads from the Blizzard team at http://www.codeofhonor.com/blog/

Here are a couple of additional things to read if you liked those: * Jordan Mechner - of Prince of Persia / Karateka [1] * Ready Player One - fiction - but in the same vein [2]

[1] Jordan's website w general links: http://www.jordanmechner.com/

The Making of Karateka - 1982- 1985 : http://www.amazon.com/Making-Karateka-Journals-1982-1985/dp/...

The Making of Prince of Persia - Journals 1985-1993: http://www.amazon.com/Making-Prince-Persia-Journals-1985/dp/...

[2] Ready Player One - http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline/dp/03078...