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Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: LoadWB on January 26, 2009, 02:55:45 PM

Title: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: LoadWB on January 26, 2009, 02:55:45 PM
I was looking up "On The Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore" and found that it is out of stock at commodorebook.com and only Amazon has it, albeit for $165.

But then I found another book, "The Commodore Story: A Company on the Edge" at Barnes and Noble listed as pre-order, due in February.  The description lists it as the second edition.

Anyone else know about this?  It appears to be "On the Edge v2.0," and for $16 I think it is worth not passing up, especially considering how good OTE is.
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: cpfuture on January 26, 2009, 03:41:06 PM
The original book was great, although I personally would've liked a more in-depth look at the Amiga. According to Amazon it contains the following updates:

Quote
This updated second edition includes additional interviews and first-hand material from major Commodore figures like marketing guru Kit Spencer, chip designer Bill Mensch, Commodore cofounder Manfred Kapp, and infamous CEO and President Jack Tramiel.
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: LoadWB on January 26, 2009, 03:54:19 PM
Quote
...and infamous CEO and President Jack Tramiel


hrmmm. This would be good reading, I think.  There were some people who either actively refused or just ignored requests for interviews for the first book.  Wasn't he one of them?
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: RobertB on January 26, 2009, 09:39:14 PM
Quote
Anyone else know about this?  It appears to be "On the Edge v2.0"...

     Yes, it is the "On the Edge" book, second edition, with a reworked title.  Unfortunately, in an e-mail I received from Brian a few days ago, he said that the second edition's release date has been pushed back while he concentrates on a different book and then redevotes attention back to his Commodore book for more editing and rewriting.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore/Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org/
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: RobertB on January 26, 2009, 09:45:56 PM
Quote

LoadWB wrote:
There were some people who either actively refused or just ignored requests for interviews for the first book.  Wasn't he one of them?

Only Brian knows the answer to that.  However, Jack Tramiel's interview came about just after Jack had his presentation for the Impact of the Commodore 64 at the Computer History Museum back in December, 2007.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore/Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org/
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: AeroMan on January 26, 2009, 11:44:44 PM
When will it be officialy released? :-D
I want a copy !!
How much material is new ? 20% ?
Title: /
Post by: Lorraine on January 27, 2009, 04:30:36 AM
/
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: RobertB on January 27, 2009, 04:42:51 AM
@Lorraine
Quote
So we'd just be paying for the updates?

No.  I think there will be better proofread copy, too.  :)

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
Catch the Fatman and Circuit Girl at
http://vimeo.com/jeri
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: CaptChaos on January 27, 2009, 04:50:15 AM
I have been holding off my purchase of "on the edge" waiting for this second edition for around 6 months now.  :crazy:
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: coldfish on January 27, 2009, 07:20:10 AM
OtE is easily the best "computer history" book Ive read dealing with C= and their products, instead of ignoring them like just about every other title does.  Personal computing seems to have begun when M$ released Windows 3.1 in most books.

I found it a little dull in places, talking about the machinations and failings of C= bureaucracy, I was hoping for something a bit more fun and nostalgic, reliving the enjoyment I had when those machines were new, perhaps sharing some insights into the creative thought processes of the machines' development, like product design, chip architecture, technical specs etc.
Title: Re: New book from Brian Bagnall: "The Commodore Story"
Post by: Rob on January 27, 2009, 08:43:01 PM
Quote
Personal computing seems to have begun when M$ released Windows 3.1 in most books


I'm surprised that it didn't happen when Steve Jobs invented personal computers. ;-)