Reviewed by David White, Customer Service Bibliographer
On the Edge was a fun book to read, although I'm not quite sure how to review it. Brian Bagnall uses over 44 hours of interviews with engineers and other employees who worked for Commodore from its inception in 1975 to its eventual death in 1994. The book weaves large amounts of direct quotes into a chronological history of the company. Chuck Peddle, who was instrumental in creating the 6502 chip that was the basis of Commodore's success, provides the narrative thread that anchors the story. It takes some getting used to the fact that he usually speaks of past events in the present tense.
While the writing and loose style of the book are not its strongest point, for anyone interested in the history of the early personal computer industry the book is filled with fascinating insight and little known stories. Bagnall spends much time - using the voices of Peddle and others - in an effort to undermine the accepted 'lore' of how the industry began. He claims that Apple and Microsoft have successfully re-written that early history so that other key players such as Commodore and Tandy are hardly even foot notes now. Indeed, he claims that Commodore was far ahead of Apple technologically and in terms of sales through much of the late 70's and early 80's, and that only through inept management at Commodore and some plain bad luck was it possible for Apple, and then the vast IBM PC-compatible industry to win out.
The style of writing probably makes this book not for everyone, but if you're interested in computer science or the history of technology, there is much in this book to enjoy.
Published by YBP Library Services
999 Maple St., Contoocook, NH 03229 USA
v: 800.258.3774 f: 603.746.5628
w: www.ybp.com
e: academia@ybp.com
