Turing and the Universal Machine: The Making of the Modern Computer

Revolutions in Science

by Jon Agar, Jon Turney (Editor)

The history of the computer is entwined with that of the modern world and most famously with the life of one man, Alan Turing. How did this device, which first appeared a mere 50 years ago, come to structure and dominate our lives so totally? An enlightening mini-biography of a brilliant but troubled man.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, History, Computers, Technology, Biography, Computer Science

153 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 1997

About the author

Jon Agar is Professor in Science and Technology Studies at University College London. Agar earned his BA in mathematics from the University of Cambridge in 1990 and a Ph.D. in the History of Science from the University fo Kent in 1994. From 1994 to 2001 he directed the UK National Archive for the History of Computing.

Reviews

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief book on the life and work of Alan Turing focusing on Computers and computation. It is a slim volume perfect for a cursory introduction before diving into this fascinating man's life and major accomplishments in Math and Computational theory.

[Harry De St Croix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on the history of computers and their roles in society.

[Gareth]

A very interesting account of the development of computers, drawing links between technological, historical and intellectual strands. Agar's main idea is that not only do computers reflect the needs of society (code breaking, census checking, etc), but that the model of the computer has in turn changed how we see society - they are a mirror to one another. Babbage's Analytical Engine had 'mills' and 'stores', just like Victorian factories, but cognitive science came to see the brain as basically an information processing unit.

His account of Turing's contribution is good, though I did find myself a little lost in the maths on occasion (more in respect of the specifics of proofs than the general ideas). Overall, however, a great little read.

Gareth Southwell is a philosopher, writer and illustrator.

[Nicolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping to read a history of the making of modern computers with a particular focus on the relevant periods of Turing life and his contributions to the building of a universal machine.

Unfortunately this extremely short book doesn’t go into any depth.

The parts regarding Turing are as superficial as the rest of the book.

The only feeling I’m left with, after finishing it, is confusion over whether I learned something.
Not sure what the point of the author was, in the end.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science and mathematics in an easy to understand way. Really interesting

[Bruno Gonzaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rápida y concisa revisión sobre la historia de la computadora, desde los telares de Jacquard hasta llegar a la computadora moderna.

[Mladenovici Andrei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't dive much into the subject, but still a decent read.

[twig · Rating 3 out of 5]

concept: 3
writing: 3
readability: 5
length: 5
overall: 3/5

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit too brief on Turings contribution at Bletchley but otherwise a solid overview of the evolution of the computer

[fai · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting. to know how and what of science and technology also mathematics development.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Turing and the Universal Machine The Making of the Modern Computer. What a sad life of a brilliant man. This book really didn’t hold my interest as I hoped that it would.

[Chris Boughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite giving shockingly little detail on the titular Turing, a great book giving a short history of computing. Biggest takeaway: the movie "the imitation game" was largely fantasy.

[Sorin Dragan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Over the past 500 years, various mechanical models have been used to account for the inner life of men and women. In early modern Europe, the device upon which the model was based might have been a musical instrument, such as a lute: a note from a struck string caused a similar string to resonate (think of the phrase 'she plucked my heartstrings'). In the eighteenth century, natural philosophers appealed to clockwork or balances, and adopted Newton's mechanical languages of forces. In Freudian psychoanalysis, the imagery was a mix of hydraulics and thermodynamics: unconscious pressure and sexual energies, on the human being as steam engine. Explanations of mental life have often been made by appealing to a machine favoured in that period. Perhaps we should now ask, not whether the mind is in fact a computer, but what was special about the twentieth century that convinced so many that the computer was a good model for the mind."

[Dmitry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of 10 it's definitely a 7

I've found my interest and impression vary along the book.
However, it is a very good and (but?) concise compilation and discussion on history of computer science and mathematics - definitely a good read.

A very interesting overview of the research and findings of the brilliant minds across the world, each being worth more thorough and detailed attention.

However, I've found certain facts of the book being doubled and repeated too numerously for this short of a book. Maybe it appeared too generalized and brief. Also the title of the book suggested a much more detailed biography of A. Turing and a review of his works, whereas this section took up less then it could.

[Sugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains the history behind the early computers. Its a interesting, short read.

The part of the book in which the author goes in deep Maths and Physics to explain stuffs...It was like Greek and Latin for me:-(

[Bob · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the book tedious, but mercifully short. At first I thought I might recommend it for my 10 year old, as it seemed a quick and easy, basic read. I then thought it might turn her off of technically-oriented reading, so will just toss it onto the donation pile.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story about a fascinating man. Highly recommended.