The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5)

Book Recommendation

Inspired by a recent thread (http://discuss.fogcreek.com/joelonsoftware/default.asp?cmd=show&ixPost=116569&ixReplies=49), I'd like to recommend a book I read exactly an year and two months ago.

Its called "No Bull Object Technology For Executives" written by Willam .S. Perl. This book is a must read for everyone. It is basically for non-programmers, so if you're already into OOPs, then you're not going to gain new insights, nevertheless you *must* read this book. Just like Charles Petzold's orotund caressing in "Code: the hidden language of computer hardware and software", the author, a Harvard University litterateur and researcher, gives you a painless ride into understanding what OOPs is. Tailored especially for managers, it is an amusing read for geeks. It is extremely helpful even for programmers who do not know the types of compilers, the difference in between compilation and interpretation and what incremental compilers are. The tone set is for the grannies in the audience.

Whereas Charles Petzold gets really nasty in Code, this book skims the surface because of its niche audience of non-programmers. If you are one of those Project Managers, or are going to get there in sometime, this book is as insightful as James Redfield's Celestine Prophecy.

For all and sundry, I plead, this book makes your Sunday. Please go for it. I don't get a penny for this recommendation, I swear!

Sathyaish Chakravarthy
Thursday, February 19, 2004

"For all and sundry, I plead, this book makes your Sunday."

Sathyaish, you really know how to turn a phrase.

MacSqueeb
Thursday, February 19, 2004

I'd be most open to corrections.

Sathyaish Chakravarthy
Friday, February 20, 2004

Oh wait... I hope that didn't sound like I was being sarcastic. I genuinely meant that your phraseology is, itself, a pleasure to consume. Moreover, I do a lot of lurking here and find your contributions to be some of the most enjoyable for their content as well as their form.

I don't mean to hijack this thread into a praise-fest, so I'll stop now.

MacSqueeb
Friday, February 20, 2004