The Best Software Writing I: Selected and Introduced by Joel Spolsky

by Apress

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Sales Rank:211349 (lower is better)
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Label:Apress
UPC:689253595008
Pages:328
Binding:Paperback
Publication Date:2005-06-20
Published By:Apress
ASIN:1590595009
Category:Book

Authors

Editorial Reviews and Product Descriptions

Product Description

It's nice having a collection of high-quality writing related to software and the business in one place instead of trawling the Web for it.

— Meryl K. Evans, meryl.net & Slashdot Contributor

...an entertaining read with a number of enlightening insights into what I do for a living...

— Thomas Duff, Duffbert's Random Musings

The whole book is fantastic though, and you should absolutely pick it up...in dead tree form.

— Garrett Rooney, Software Engineer and Author

This is a book worth checking out, even if you're not a software developer.

— David Bindel, Tea Total

Frustrated by the lack of well-written essays on software engineering, Joel Spolsky (of www.joelonsoftware.com fame) has put together a collection of his favorite writings on the topic.

With a nod to both the serious and funny sides of technical writing, The Best Software Writing I: Selected and Introduced by Joel Spolsky is an entertaining read and a guide to the technical writing literati.

The Best Software Writing I contains writings from:

  • Ken Arnold
  • Leon Bambrick
  • Michael Bean
  • Rory Blyth
  • Adam Bosworth
  • danah boyd
  • Raymond Chen
  • Kevin Cheng and Tom Chi
  • Cory Doctorow
  • ea_spouse
  • Bruce Eckel
  • Paul Ford
  • Paul Graham
  • John Gruber
  • Gregor Hohpe
  • Ron Jeffries
  • Eric Johnson
  • Eric Lippert
  • Michael Lopp
  • Larry Osterman
  • Mary Poppendieck
  • Rick Schaut
  • Aaron Swartz
  • Clay Shirky
  • Eric Sink
  • why the lucky stiff

Customer Reviews

Must read...sorry must practice - Reviewed on 2008-09-15
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Lot of my friends have already said enough about this book. So, don't hesitate to add this to your cart!
A beautiful collection - Reviewed on 2008-06-07
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This book is less to do with Joel and his own writing, but more to do with the wonderful writing of others.

A well researched and nicely put together collections of interesting historical articles on software development. If you enjoy getting into the thoughts and minds behind some of the greats, then this book is certainly for you.

Put together with brief introductions by Joel, this book takes you on a wonderful journey through wonderful writing.
Would be better if Joel's ego didn't get in the way - Reviewed on 2008-04-28
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1 customer found this review helpful.

There really are some good essays in this book, though a few of them are a little boring, and a lot of them really don't have anything to do with software development.

Joel's ego-driven introductions and blatantly obvious footnotes make me wonder what the intended audience for the book is.
A compilation of some of the best thinking - Reviewed on 2008-01-06
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There are a core set of principles about software development that can either be learned from years of making painful mistakes or by learning of the mistakes of others. If you've read Fred Brooks or followed Joel Spolsky's writings, you know what I mean. The writings Joel collects here are diverse and interesting; a must read for anyone looking for clarity on a variety of subjects. This book was better than I expected; and I expected it to be pretty good.
easy reading software book for a tech junkie - Reviewed on 2007-09-17
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loved the easy read style, interesting topics, down to earth, quick discussions on numerous software development topics. found this to be both enjoyable and informative and of course opionated.
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