Mail-From: local user C410EB70 at 2-Feb-83 15:21:40-EST
Mail-From: local user A780LB90 at 30-Dec-82 19:00:56-EST
Date: 30 December 1982 1900-EST (Thursday)
From: Lee.Brownston at CMU-CS-A
To: Ellen.Borison at CMU-CS-A
Subject: computers for novices
Message-Id: <30Dec82 190024 LB90@CMU-CS-A>
Remailed-To: Harry.Bovik at CMU-CS-A
Remailed-From: Ellen.Borison at CMU-CS-A
Remailed-Date: Wednesday,  2 February 1983 1510-EST

Someone who teaches computer science for nonmajors could recommend a number of
meaty textbooks.  I'll list a few with literary flair that are nontechnical by
and large but go a long way toward capturing the spirit of our enterprise.
     Tracy Kidder, The Soul of a New Machine.  This is actually about
     computer engineers, but it captures very well what it is like to
     get wrapped up in a project, and what kind of people we are.
     Joseph Weizenbaum, Computer Power and Human Reason.  While it
     contains a bilious attack on artificial intelligence and compulsive
     programmers, it is also very thoughtful.
     Margaret Boden, Artificial Intelligence and Natural Man.  Nontechnical
     but deep, because the author is a philosopher/psychologist.
     Pamela McCorduck, Machines Who Think.  The wife of Joe Traub wrote this
     gossipy history of AI.  She is quite well read, but the book is wholly
     lacking in technical details.
     Christopher Evans, The Micro Millenium (British title: The Mighty Micro).
     Entertaining futurology by an insider.
     Jeremy Bernstein, The Analytical Engine.  Bernstein, a physicist, has been
     writing popular science for the New Yorker for quite some time.  This was
     his first book, and has been recently revised.  His latest collection of
     essays contains a profile of Marvin Minsky.
     Christopher Evans, The Making of the Micro.  A picture book!  Probably
     less technical than The Micro Millenium.
     Dertouzos & ???, The Computer Age.  An MIT-sponsored collection of
     articles for the general reader.  Stresses social aspects of computing.
That's all I can think of for now.
                             --Lee