Rating: 
Summary: Explains computer architecture to the intelligent layperson
Review: The average person who uses a computer to surf the web or type letters has so little knowledge of the underlying technology he or she is using that it may as well be magic. Even programmers, who typically spend their days solving problems with the high-end abstractedness of object-orientation, may be more than a little unclear about what's actually going on inside the box when their compiled code is running.Petzold attempts, and largely succeeds at, writing a book that leaves the reasonably intelligent layperson with a thorough comprehension of each layer that comprises a modern electronic computer (binary coding -> electronic representation -> transistors -> logic gates -> integrated circuits -> microprocessors -> opcodes -> assembly language -> high-level language -> applications). At times, the reader must follow along carefully, but Petzold tries to avoid needless complication. Code is a well written and very entertaining explanation of the digital electronic technology that has become an integral part of our daily lives. Short of getting a degree in electrical engineering, this book is your best bet to understand how it works.
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Summary: Excelent
Review: The book is super new and the delivery was too fast
Rating:
Summary: Great, but it's not ALL for a "Novice"
Review: The book starts out very solid, describing all the building blocks of a computer. The beginning is the best book I've seen so far describings everything from the binary system to electrical circuits, to gates to simple calculators, to memory, to a complete machine with a "control panel". But after that, the book started getting a LOT more broad (not necessarily a bad thing). It seems almost as if Petzold wanted to tell you everything about the world of computers, but couldn't fit it in a book such as this; so he dabbed a little here and there of a few terms, history, etc... (allowing you the option to look up anything you wanted if you had the interest). My oppinion is that the book is _great_ up to about the middle of the book, after which he just condenced all the rest of the information which would otherwise takes thousands of pages to describe in as much details as he described how to build a physical logic machine... I think that if someone isn't a "techie" or isn't in the computer field, they may have some hard time understanding a few minor points... but overall, this is a GREAT book.. one of a kind. Greatly recommended for everyone's library... I can honestly say, I always told people "a computer is nothing more than zero's and one's"... but until I read this book, I couldn't BUILD one... now I can (given time! :). P.S. This book is perfect for those who didn't necessarily go to college and learned everything on their own... it covers some CS, CE, and EE. Those who went to college with either of those majors probably learned the greatest part of this book... but it's a great review.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is a must-read for technogeeks -- entertaining
Review: The book was very entertaining -- hardly a phrase to describe a computer book. It treats a dry subject (basic electronics and computers) in a very refreshing way, I didn't feel like a geek while reading it. I would suggest this book to friends who had been wondering about the hows and whys of computers.
Rating:
Summary: pretty good
Review: The books starts off great, but later drowns in tedious details about the construction of complex circuits. I can't be too critical since it is apparently the purpose of the book to give such details, and I'm glad it didn't have the opposite problem of dumbing it down too much, but I think it could have been done better with the intended audience in mind.
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Summary: The detailed guts of computers for non-computer people
Review: The critical thing to remember about "Code" is audience. This is a book targeted at a smart person who knows little about computers, and really wants to get a fundamental understanding. Those who are willing to dedicate time and some heavy brain power to it will get a lot out of it. Although well written, the tone is dry, and the concepts covered here are not lightweight. Essentially, Petzold covers a college-level course on computer logic and design, starting at ground level, and taking you through a lot of territory. For computer people, this a great book to give to someone else. If you're a computer person, don't read this book. You won't be happy, because it's not meant for you, you've heard it all before, and you'll soon grow tired of it. If you've always wanted to explain the details of computers to some other person, then give them this book. It's a little uneven at times, and the tone is dry. It may not hold the interest of any but the most dedicated reader. Occasionally, it seems like there was stuff that was neat, and Petzold really wanted it in the book, even though it doesn't really help make his point. I found the material on Morse code, Braille, UPC codes, and film cartridges interesting, but any one of these would have made his point. Similarly, his sudden dive into the history of computing is distracting - he hasn't really focused on the characters of computing in the 250 pages before this, and quickly sticking this in the middle doesn't help elucidate the concepts presented in "Code." For someone who is interested in the details of computers, and willing to invest the time to learn them, this is an excellent book. Be prepared - there's a lot of detailed information here, but, if you get through it, you'll be rewarded with an in-depth understanding of computers and "Code."
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Summary: Yet another acclaim
Review: The readers who've already written reviews have said it all: this book has style and sophistication in textual presentation, as well as visual excellence. From the perspective of a tech writer and one fascinated by the guts of computers-- hardware and software-- you would be doing anyone a favor if you give this book as a gift. If you work through Petzold's circuitry with a child or grandchild, you've given twice.
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Summary: Cleared up some long standing fuzzy areas
Review: This book cleared up some fuzzy areas that I have always been interested in but never really had the time to pursue. I have been developing software since 1980, and got this book because of the sample chapter that I read from the MS website. Now that I have read the book, I am able to better understand the electrical system on my plane (a surprise side effect of reading the book, I expected it to be more high level) I would recommend this book to all software developers, and also anyone that has any technical hobbies. It has much technical information, but is also very easy to read. Steve
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Summary: Got bored 1/3 of the way through.
Review: This book comes at computers from a very low level approach, much as an electrical engineer or an ASM programmer would look at a computer. You will not find much in here about Java or Python or anything like that. Lots of stuff about Ohms and ampres and transisters and restistance.
If you are into the whole hardware aspect of computers and how low level code works then this would be a good book for you. If you are more into setting up DNS servers and building OpenBSD routers out of old 486's then this book might come across as a bore. At least that is what I thought.
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Summary: Great, accessible book.
Review: This book is a fun overview of the evolution of computing as we know it today. Starting with basic building blocks from years past (relays, telegraph, etc.) we move to the present (transistors, ICs). With a little motivation one could build a functional logic computer from the knowledge gained by this book.
The book is written in a very accessible manner, I would recommend it highly to a high school graduate considering pursuing a college career in any electronic engineering discipline.
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