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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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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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- 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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- Michael Falk
- 15-07-24
Great fun, very informative
This book is great fun. This is the history of computing from below, with some sketches of the personalities behind the machines. I feel deeply nostalgic now, for a decade I never experienced, and computers I never used!
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