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Electronic Dreams
- How 1980s Britain Learned to Love the Computer
- Narrated by: Mark Meadows
- Length: 10 hrs
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Electronic Dreams
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Summary
Remember the ZX Spectrum? Ever have a go at programming with its stretchy rubber keys? Did you marvel at the immense galaxies of Elite on the BBC Micro or lose yourself in the surreal caverns of Manic Miner on the ZX Spectrum? For anyone who was a kid in the 1980s, these iconic computer brands are the stuff of legend.
In Electronic Dreams, Tom Lean tells the story of how computers invaded British homes for the first time, as people set aside their worries of electronic brains and Big Brother and embraced the wonder technology of the 1980s. This book charts the history of the rise and fall of the home computer, the family of futuristic and quirky machines that took computing from the realm of science and science fiction to being a user-friendly domestic technology. It is a tale of unexpected consequences, when the machines that parents bought to help their kids with homework ended up giving birth to the video games industry, and of unrealized ambitions, like the ahead-of-its-time Prestel network that first put the British home online but failed to change the world. Ultimately, it's the story of the people who made the boom happen, the inventors and entrepreneurs, like Clive Sinclair and Alan Sugar, seeking new markets, bedroom programmers and computer hackers and the millions of everyday folk who bought in to the electronic dream and let the computer into their lives.
What listeners say about Electronic Dreams
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pelham
- 01-02-21
Really enjoyable and accessable
A great run down of computer history in the 80's. Delivered factually with plenty of humour, an enjoyable educational listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ash
- 18-05-16
Full of nostalgic enthusiasm.
If you grew up through the personal computer revolution you'll get a lot of nostalgic kicks and some great information, if you're new to the history this book is written (and read) with such enthusiasm that you'll get a taste of what it was like it be there.
Truly an inspiring tale and the best thing is - it's all true!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. C. S. Clyne
- 10-07-21
Really interesting
Well read and very interesting account of the rise of the micro computer. Britain played such a big part in it all…shame all the proceeds now going abroad! Highly recommended.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- James B
- 11-01-17
Good history of the British Microcomputer revolution
The book is a good summary of the key events and people involved in the British Microcomputer revolution of the 70's and 80's. It is a must listen for anyone with nostalgia of the beginnings of personal computers and anyone who played Granny's Garden on a BBC at school.
The performance is fairly dry and can be a little repetitive.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Goldfrapper
- 06-04-21
Pretty good account
I know a fair amount about the history of computing but most books are from the American point of view. It was very refreshing to hear the full history of the growth of computers in the UK.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- C Vernon
- 22-03-21
Good nostalgia for...
... those of us who were there. Not sure how it reads to a twenty-something today. There was a missing chapter though - silly to tell this story without any mention of the Nintendo Entertainment System (1985), Master System ('86) and following Super Nintendo and Megadrive.
Lean suggests it was the PC that killed off the home micro, but also (correctly) identified gaming as being a key use of the micros. It was the NES (in our house) that replaced our Spectrum, the PC was a few years later.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Hedgehog
- 30-07-18
Definitive history of computer hardware
Great book for anyone interested in the history of technology hardware.
Focuses mainly on the hardware side of computers.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- A Smith
- 24-02-17
Comprehensive and enjoyable nostalgia trip
Incredibly thorough history of the home computer in Britain. While listening a couple of times I thought 'hold why hasn't he mentioned X'? Then the next chapter would cover that very topic in detail!
Makes the point that whilst home computers were originally conceive primary as educational and 'tinkerers' devices it was gaming that proved to be the 'killer app'.
Anyone who nostalgically remembers owning the mighty ZX Spectrum (or even one of its inferior competitors) will find this walk down memory lane a compelling listen.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-01-21
Great from start to finish.
Outstanding insight into the early days of the home computer in Britain. Definitely worth a look for those interested.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ulven
- 15-05-18
Entertaining, Engaging, Enlightening
Very well written and narrated. It starts by showing the initial development of computing as a whole, and moves on to the background which fostered the boom in micro-computers in '80s Britain, starting with kit computers onward. Gives some interesting looks at not only the big hitters like Sinclair, Commodore, and Acorn (especially the influence of the BBC Micro and accompanying TV programmes) but other manufacturers and their machines.
Games get some great coverage from the early arcade-style ZX-81 titles which featured some creative use of ASCII characters, through to Ultimate Play The Game's isometric endeavours, and the galaxy in a casette/floppy, Elite.
While people with a light interest in reading about a very important age in computing will find this a great read, I reckon enthusiasts will lap up every word. An excellent look at not only the technology but the cultural impact which can still be felt today.
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4 people found this helpful