Rating: 
Summary: Well written account
Review: From the other reviews of this book you get the impression the author got the basic facts wrong. I think the author did an outstanding job writing the story of the ENIAC, and covered much of the controversy up until the death of Pres Eckert in 1995.Holding aside the issue of whether the ENIAC was the first 'computer', or whether Maulchy 'stole' Atanstoffs ideas, and the apparent (and successful) attempt of John von Neumann to take much of the credit for ENIAC and EDVAC, the book does an excellent job of telling a fair and well-researched account of events. I give this book 5 stars because it is well written, well researched, and holds your interest. There is much controversy over who invented what when, and I think this book admirably takes the side of Maulchy & Eckert, two visionaries far ahead of their own time. In the final analysis does it _matter_ if Anastoffs single-purpose partially electronic computer (which was never completed and was denied a patent) was the first computer? I think what matters is that the ENIAC was the first viable electronic digital computer built and used for a number of years, and in that light this is an excellent book to read all about it.
Rating:
Summary: My Thoughts
Review: I am a 10th grade student doing a school project on early computers. (ENIAC, The Atanasoff-Berry Computer, the Turing Machine, etc.) I found this book exremely helpful, especially for someone who is interested in the history of computers, but have nowhere to start, I recommend this book. Mr. Mcartney is a very talented writer, with an exellent grasp of history, and offers an unbiased view into the controversial subject of the inventor of the computer.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating
Review: I found ENIAC to be a fascinating story. It reminded me somewhat of some the characters in "A Beautiful Mind" - and, in fact, the books do overlap in their discussion of the post-War icons of scientific academia. For those of us who grew up in the industry on the IBM side of things, ENIAC chronicles another force in computer history - the Sperry-Rand dynasty, which today is manifested as Unisys, now a struggling niche mainframe vendor trying to reinvent itself with an industrial-class Windows box. The latter part of the book focuses on the subterfuge and betrayal visited upon the book's protagonists - Mauchly and Eckert. At first this read like general conspiracy theory stuff, but upon further reflection of my own professional life, where I have seen what some people will do to advance their careers or even qualify for an exam, I realized the story is certainly probable. Von Neumann, Atanasoff, and Brainerd come off as despicable characters, successful in their own right but with reputations forever marred due to their treachery. Mauchly and Eckert's lack of business prowess prevented them from recovering from their detractors' attacks. In the long run, the injustice done to the duo did further the computer industry by opening up competition, although one can argue that IBM - the juggernaut of the industry - should have been the sole focus of the courts rather than Sperry-Rand. The book is a quick-read, well-researched, and well-documented. I was hoping it would have been slightly more technical, but all-in-all a good read.
Rating:
Summary: What about Collosus?
Review: I haven't read this book so can't review it. However, it appears the book may have been written before the cryptanalysis done at Bletchley Park was declassified. Wasn't Collosus built before ENIAC? If so, doesn't credit for the first computer belong to Flowers and Turing?
Rating:
Summary: To the Inventors Go the Spoils? Not Hardly!
Review: I loved this book--it gave me some context for a very formative period in my life. I knew Dr. Mauchly, and he was a surprizingly humble man for someone who had contributed so much to our daily lives. What I liked most about this book was not "he-said/she-said" argument of who invented what/when, but the tragic nature of how these two men were the archetype of the "absent-minded professor"--got the science/engineering right and the management wrong. While the debate over the fundamental core of the book--that Eckert and Mauchly invented the first fully electronic computer--is interesting, it is not the best part. The duo quickly tires of working for others (the army, the university) and forges out on their own, to form the first computer company. With no training in budget or time management they get into trouble fairly quickly. That story of woe is the real kernel of wisdom in this volume, and should be required reading at every MBA school. This book is a quick read--easily finished on a flight from Silicon Valley (how appropriate) to the east coast with heavy tail winds. There's a wonderful aside about mice and the wires used in the machine. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Mistake
Review: I made a mistake in my review. The Eniac may have been the first electronic digital computer at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for tech-heads! Fascinating study of human nature
Review: I never expected a computer-related book to keep me up all night, but I could not put McCartney's latest down. The story of the invention of the computer is a story about people. It shows the genius and foresight of these inventors along with their very human failings. The interplay between scientists interested in the development of a "computer" is a fascinating study of human nature. There are certain characteristics--ego, pride, aggression, and self-importance--which often go hand-in-hand with greatness and frequently cloud real accomplishment. McCartney's book has significance because it is a well-researched history of the development of a technology which profoundly affects us all. But the book both explores and trascends its technical topic--it's a really great read!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book - Some are missing the point
Review: I read this book back before Christmas, and thought it was excellent. I teach computer courses with historical computer content. Some that have reviewed this book have pouted that Colossus or the ABC computer should get the title of first computer, but this is a flawed argument. The above two computers were electro-mechnical creation, while ENIAC was full electronic. The FIRST full electronic computer in fact. It was a milestone, and those that try to steal this honor from Eckert and Mauchley are wrong in doing so. This book shows how these two inventors were innovative, and how later they had their innovation stolen. This book clearly and concisely sets the record straight. Excellent treatment of the story.
Rating:
Summary: an enlightening and enjoyable read
Review: I thought this was the kind of book I might get bored with after a while, but I wanted to try it anyway. I was in for a surprise. This is a great account of the creation of ENIAC and its relatives. You first recieve some background on tabulators and math machines prior to the invention of ENIAC. This is short enough so no one could get bored, yet you get everything you really need to know to understand the rest of the book. You then get a good background of the two main characters, Pres Eckert and John Mauchly. From there a smooth transition brings you into the ENIAC story. After learning about ENIAC, you follow the stories of EDVAC and UNIVAC, too. There are a number of surprising things I learned about, too. For example, I was astonished to learn of the important role women played in the making of ENIAC. At the same time the book was really easy to read. It took me only three days of moderate reading to finish it, which is unusual for me when it comes to non-fiction. I'm not sure its worth buying (only 3 days of reading?), but check it out of the local library for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Author got it right
Review: In the late 1980s I edited a feature magazine on the history of computing for Computerworld newspaper, and we concluded as the author of ENIAC does--that Eckert and Mauchly deserve credit as developing the first computer--with the same qualifications that the author states. Other earlier efforts, such as by Atanasoff, were important for advancing the understanding of the field, but they didn't lead to a standalone programmable electronic calculator that can be seen as the forerunner of today's machines. After Eckert and Mauchly, the field blossomed, and this book tells their story well.
| 
