Electronic Dreams
How 1980s Britain Learned to Love the Computer
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Electronic Dreams
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Narrated by:
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Mark Meadows
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By:
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Tom Lean
About this listen
Remember the ZX Spectrum? Ever have a go at programming with its stretchy rubber keys? Did you marvel at the immense galaxies of Elite on the BBC Micro or lose yourself in the surreal caverns of Manic Miner on the ZX Spectrum? For anyone who was a kid in the 1980s, these iconic computer brands are the stuff of legend.
In Electronic Dreams, Tom Lean tells the story of how computers invaded British homes for the first time, as people set aside their worries of electronic brains and Big Brother and embraced the wonder technology of the 1980s. This book charts the history of the rise and fall of the home computer, the family of futuristic and quirky machines that took computing from the realm of science and science fiction to being a user-friendly domestic technology. It is a tale of unexpected consequences, when the machines that parents bought to help their kids with homework ended up giving birth to the video games industry, and of unrealized ambitions, like the ahead-of-its-time Prestel network that first put the British home online but failed to change the world. Ultimately, it's the story of the people who made the boom happen, the inventors and entrepreneurs, like Clive Sinclair and Alan Sugar, seeking new markets, bedroom programmers and computer hackers and the millions of everyday folk who bought in to the electronic dream and let the computer into their lives.
©2016 Tom Lean (P)2016 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Electronic Dreams
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pelham
- 01-02-21
Really enjoyable and accessable
A great run down of computer history in the 80's. Delivered factually with plenty of humour, an enjoyable educational listen.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- James B
- 11-01-17
Good history of the British Microcomputer revolution
The book is a good summary of the key events and people involved in the British Microcomputer revolution of the 70's and 80's. It is a must listen for anyone with nostalgia of the beginnings of personal computers and anyone who played Granny's Garden on a BBC at school.
The performance is fairly dry and can be a little repetitive.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Goldfrapper
- 06-04-21
Pretty good account
I know a fair amount about the history of computing but most books are from the American point of view. It was very refreshing to hear the full history of the growth of computers in the UK.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- C Vernon
- 22-03-21
Good nostalgia for...
... those of us who were there. Not sure how it reads to a twenty-something today. There was a missing chapter though - silly to tell this story without any mention of the Nintendo Entertainment System (1985), Master System ('86) and following Super Nintendo and Megadrive.
Lean suggests it was the PC that killed off the home micro, but also (correctly) identified gaming as being a key use of the micros. It was the NES (in our house) that replaced our Spectrum, the PC was a few years later.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A Smith
- 24-02-17
Comprehensive and enjoyable nostalgia trip
Incredibly thorough history of the home computer in Britain. While listening a couple of times I thought 'hold why hasn't he mentioned X'? Then the next chapter would cover that very topic in detail!
Makes the point that whilst home computers were originally conceive primary as educational and 'tinkerers' devices it was gaming that proved to be the 'killer app'.
Anyone who nostalgically remembers owning the mighty ZX Spectrum (or even one of its inferior competitors) will find this walk down memory lane a compelling listen.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-01-21
Great from start to finish.
Outstanding insight into the early days of the home computer in Britain. Definitely worth a look for those interested.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Tailzer
- 21-01-21
Excellent account of the home micro revolution!
Absolutely loved this, as with other review i was shouting at the author what about when this happened and when that happened, but sure enough it was covered very soon or in the next chapter. One gripe would be the incorrect recollection of the Elite ship, it was a Cobra not a Viper!
I found this a fascinating account of the time, being a child of the seventies and 12 when I got my 16k ZX Spectrum in 1983 I vividly remember lots of these accounts but had no idea of the underlying problems with Britain's take up of the micro revolution. My father was a carpenter and no experience of electronics or computers but was very keen I learn and from this book I can see what drove him and others along. Fantastic stuff - highly recommend!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- S. Barker
- 01-03-22
Really engaging and comprehensive history
2nd time ive listened to this. I suppose its also interesting becuase i grew up in the era covered by this book and saw the evolution of home computing and how the silicon chip became integral to our everyday lives.
i highly recommend this book as its written so that the lay perosn and the enthusiast alike will be satisfied.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- andrew
- 04-02-23
Manic miner
Great book detailing the UKs golden age of home micros. A must for people who lived through the 80s and experienced all the fab home computer boom and bust. Brings back fond memories of my teen years playing with the like of the C64,ZX spectrum. Very insightful as to the business and personalities that drove it forward. Excellent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Hedgehog
- 30-07-18
Definitive history of computer hardware
Great book for anyone interested in the history of technology hardware.
Focuses mainly on the hardware side of computers.
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