What the Dormouse Said
In 'What the Dormouse Said,' John Markoff weaves together the stories of the birth of the computer revolution and the counterculture of the 1960s. Through the lens of key figures like Douglas Engelbart and the early hackers of Silicon Valley, the book chronicles how ideas of consciousness and creativity collided with technology. Markoff explores the profound implications of this convergence on society, culture, and human potential. As the narrative unfolds, readers are invited to reflect on the trippy intersection of dreaming and reality that gave rise to our digital age. Could the visions of the past shape the future in unexpected ways?
By John Markoff
Published: 2006
""The networked world is not just a product of technology but a shared dream of collective intelligence, where our thoughts intermingle and create new realities.""
Start Listening
What Readers Say About This Book
An analysis of the political and cultural forces that gave rise to the personal computer chronicles its development through the people, politics, and social upheavals that defined its time, from a teenage anti-war protester who laid the groundwork for the PC revolution to the imprisoned creator of the first word processing software for the IBM PC. Reprint.
The Mike & Casey Show
Dive into captivating book discussions with our expert hosts
Key Points from What the Dormouse Said
About the Author
John Markoff
John Markoff is a renowned American journalist and author, celebrated for his insightful explorations of technology, society, and their intricate relationship. A former senior writer for the New York Times, Markoff has a distinct writing style that combines rigorous research with accessible prose, making complex subjects understandable to a broad audience. His notable works include 'What the Dormouse Said: How the Sixties Counterculture Shaped the Personal Computer Industry' and 'Machines of Loving Grace: The Quest for Common Ground Between Humans and Robots.' Through his work, Markoff has skillfully chronicled the evolution of technology and its impact on our lives, earning recognition as a leading voice in technology journalism.
Book Details
Key information about the book.
- Authors
- John Markoff
- Published
- January 2006
- Publisher
- Penguin Group USA
- ISBN
- 0143036769
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 310
- Genres
- HistoryHistory of TechnologyCultural HistoryTechnology
Purchase Options
Buy on Amazon
Buy via BookShopSupport local bookstores: BookShop gives a portion of each sale to independent bookshops!
Similar books you might like →
The Code Book: The Secrets Behind Codebreaking
Simon Singh
The History of the Future
Blake J. Harris
The Information
James Gleick
What Technology Wants
Kevin Kelly
The Shallows
Nicholas Carr
The Dream Machine
M. Mitchell Waldrop
NW
Zadie Smith
Fanny at Chez Panisse
Alice L. Waters
Commonwealth
Ann Patchett
Marriage, a History
Stephanie Coontz
The Gift of Good Land
Wendell Berry
Medieval Technology and Social Change
Lynn White (Jr.)
A History of the World in 100 Objects
Neil MacGregor
The Landmark Herodotus
Herodotus
I Am Legend
Richard Matheson
Dealers of Lightning
Michael A. Hiltzik
Lord of Light
Roger Zelazny
The History of the Peloponnesian War
Thucydides
Men, Machines, and Modern Times
Elting Elmore Morison
Die Trying
Lee Child
All Marketers are Liars
Seth Godin
Wild Ride
Adam Lashinsky
The Myth of the Rational Voter
Bryan Caplan
Hitler: A Biography
Ian Kershaw
Masters of the Word
William J. Bernstein
To Rule the Waves
Arthur Herman
History of Western Philosophy
Bertrand Russell
Orwell: Essays
George Orwell
The Divided Mind
John E. Sarno
A Short History of Financial Euphoria
John Kenneth Galbraith
Take your reading experience to the next level
Download our mobile app to enjoy your favorite books on the go. Get access to exclusive features, offline listening, and personalized recommendations.
Book Collections you might like →
Bret Victor's Book Recommendations
Bret Victor is a renowned American interface designer and computer scientist celebrated for his innovative contributions to interactive design and human-computer interaction. He is best known for creating dynamic, explorable explanations, which have significantly influenced the way educational content is presented and understood. Victor's seminal work, "Inventing on Principle," advocates for the integration of immediate feedback in creative processes, inspiring a new wave of interactive programming environments. As a former member of the Apple Human Interface team, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern user interfaces. Through his organization, Dynamicland, Victor continues to explore and expand the boundaries of immersive, collaborative computing environments.
View Collection
Andrew Chen's Book Recommendations
Andrew Chen is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and thought leader in growth marketing, currently serving as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Chen is known for his expertise in network effects, viral growth strategies, and marketplace dynamics, making him a sought-after advisor for startups looking to scale. Prior to joining Andreessen Horowitz, he worked in leadership roles at Uber, helping to grow the ride-sharing platform’s user base and develop key growth strategies. Chen is also a prolific writer, sharing his insights on growth, technology, and startups through his popular blog and newsletter, which has attracted a loyal following in the tech community. His work has helped shape how many startups approach user acquisition, retention, and product-market fit. As a venture capitalist, Chen focuses on early-stage companies in the consumer internet, SaaS, and marketplace sectors, and he has been involved in funding and advising several successful startups. His insights on technology and growth continue to influence both founders and investors alike.
View Collection
Brad Feld's Book Recommendations
Brad Feld is a prominent American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author known for his influential work in the startup ecosystem. Co-founder of the Foundry Group, he has played a pivotal role in funding and mentoring early-stage technology companies. Feld is also a key figure behind the Techstars accelerator program, which has helped launch numerous successful startups. As an author, he has penned several essential books on entrepreneurship and venture capital, including "Venture Deals" and "Startup Communities," which provide invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors. His writings and active blogging have cemented his reputation as a thought leader in the tech and startup communities.
View Collection
Elon Musk's Book Recommendations
Elon Musk is an influential entrepreneur and innovator known for founding and leading several groundbreaking companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. He has played a pivotal role in advancing electric vehicles, space exploration, and renewable energy. Musk's vision extends to colonizing Mars and reducing the risk of human extinction through space travel. In addition to his technological contributions, he has co-authored the book "Spacex: Making Commercial Spaceflight a Reality," providing insights into his ambitious projects and vision for the future. Musk's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the trajectory of multiple industries.
View Collection
Bill Gates's Book Recommendations
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, is a pioneering figure in the tech industry, having played a key role in the personal computer revolution. His work at Microsoft, particularly the development of Windows, transformed software and computing globally. Beyond his technology contributions, Gates is also a prolific author, with notable works such as "The Road Ahead" and "Business @ the Speed of Thought," which offer insights into the future of technology and business. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have had a profound impact on global health, education, and poverty. Gates continues to influence both technology and literature with his forward-thinking perspectives and innovative ideas.
View Collection
Austen Allred's Book Recommendations
Austen Allred is an influential entrepreneur and author, best known for his contributions to the education technology sector. He co-founded Lambda School, a groundbreaking online coding bootcamp that offers deferred tuition and has revolutionized access to tech education. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Allred is the author of "The Grassfed Startup," which provides insights into building sustainable businesses. His innovative approach to education has earned him recognition as a thought leader in the tech industry. Allred continues to inspire with his commitment to making high-quality education accessible to all.
View Collection
Ben Horowitz's Book Recommendations
Ben Horowitz is a prominent American entrepreneur, investor, and author, best known for co-founding the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. He made significant contributions to the tech industry through his leadership roles at Netscape and as co-founder of the software company Opsware, which was later acquired by Hewlett-Packard. Horowitz is celebrated for his insightful business book, "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," which provides candid advice on the challenges of entrepreneurship. His follow-up book, "What You Do Is Who You Are," explores the importance of company culture in business success. Horowitz's works are highly regarded for their practical wisdom and have influenced countless leaders in the tech and business communities.
View Collection“"The networked world is not just a product of technology but a shared dream of collective intelligence, where our thoughts intermingle and create new realities."”
What the Dormouse Said
By John Markoff
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Our Catalogue
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.