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Jeff Atwood

Recommended Books

Jeff Atwood is an American software developer, author, blogger, and entrepreneur. He writes the computer programming blog Coding Horror
18 books on the list
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Seeing with Fresh Eyes book cover
Seeing with Fresh Eyes
Meaning, Space, Data, Truth
Edward R. Tufte - 2020-01-01
Goodreads Rating
"Seeing with Fresh Eyes" by Edward R. Tufte is a groundbreaking book that challenges conventional models of thinking and encourages readers to question everything. With a focus on meaning and space, Tufte explores the power of typography, redesigning sentences, and the art of annotations. He also tackles data analysis and the relationship between evidence and conclusions. With practical tips on how to make smarter, shorter meetings and how to remodel the back-matter in books, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to see the world in a new light.
Jeff Atwood
2022-12-12T21:58:47.000Z
And the final version! Thank you @EdwardTufte .. be sure to pick up a copy, these books profoundly influenced my work.      source
Top 10 Games You Can Play In Your Head, By Yourself book cover
Top 10 Games You Can Play In Your Head, By Yourself
Second Edition
J. Theophrastus Bartholomew - 2019-02-27
Goodreads Rating
Create and explore immersive stories that you control in "Top 10 Games You Can Play In Your Head, By Yourself." No need for peripherals or extra materials, just rely on the ultimate gaming engine, your mind. Edited and updated by Sam Gorski and D.F. Lovett, this collection features mind-games that let you create your own breathing, living story and come back to it time and time again. Filled with surprises and endless possibilities, these games are sure to keep you engaged and entertained.
Jeff Atwood
2020-06-16T18:44:39.000Z
This book is *profoundly* weird... next level galaxy brain weird. I mean that as a compliment! 🥴      source
The 100 Deadliest Karate Moves book cover
The 100 Deadliest Karate Moves
Ted Gambordella - 1982-01-01
Goodreads Rating
Discover the ultimate guide to lethal karate combat with this book. Explore the top 100 deadliest moves, including snap kicks and vital point strikes, used by the world's most skilled karate masters. With over 100 action-packed photos, learn how to master street-fighting techniques and take your martial arts skills to the next level.
Jeff Atwood
2020-06-10T00:19:28.000Z
@Seanbabydotcom YES I OWN THIS BOOK AND IT IS MAGNIFICENT      source
59 Seconds book cover
59 Seconds
Change Your Life in Under a Minute
Richard Wiseman - 2010-01-01 (first published in 2009)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the fascinating world of rapid change with 59 Seconds, a myth-busting book that offers science-backed tips and tricks to improve your life. Bestselling author and psychologist Richard Wiseman debunks the harmful exercises promoted in the self-help industry and provides insightful advice on becoming more decisive, imaginative, engaged, and happy. With infectious enthusiasm, Wiseman describes the quirky techniques that can transform everything from mood to memory, persuasion to procrastination, resilience to relationships. Discover the power of the scientific community and how a mere minute can make a world of difference.
Jeff Atwood
2019-09-22T07:48:02.000Z
@jonobacon highly recommend this book as well      source
The Great Brain book cover
The Great Brain
John D. Fitzgerald - 2004-02-09 (first published in 1967)
Goodreads Rating
This book follows the adventures of the Great Brain, a ten-year-old con artist in the Midwest. With his silver tongue and knack for turning a profit, he manages to save the day and line his pockets at the same time. From rescuing friends to helping out new kids in school, the Great Brain always comes out on top.
Jeff Atwood
2018-08-26T01:15:18.000Z
Reading The Great Brain series with my 9 year old son and belatedly realizing I learned everything I know about business from these books, 35 years ago      source
Recommended by
Anne Thériault
Grumpy Cat Little Golden Book Favorites book cover
Grumpy Cat Little Golden Book Favorites
Golden Books - 2018-12-11
Goodreads Rating
Join the famous feline Grumpy Cat in this hardcover storybook collection featuring three cat-tastic tales: The Little Grumpy Cat That Wouldn't, A Is for Awful, and Yawn!: A Grumpy Cat Bedtime Story. With over 8 million Facebook followers, her own TV movie, a mobile game, and now her very own collection of Little Golden Books, Grumpy Cat is a must-read for fans of all ages. This hardcover Little Golden Book features full-color illustrations and is the perfect addition to any cat lover's library.
Jeff Atwood
2016-10-27T05:28:13.000Z
The amazing thing about this book is that the cat does not break character the whole time, it's breathtaking      source
Code Complete book cover
Code Complete
A Practical Handbook of Software Construction, Second Edition
Steve McConnell - 2004-07-07 (first published in 1993)
Goodreads Rating
This practical guide to programming is considered one of the best out there. The updated and revised edition includes hundreds of new code samples that demonstrate the art and science of software construction. Whether you're a novice or experienced developer, you'll discover effective techniques and principles that will inform and stimulate your thinking, helping you to build high-quality code. Learn how to design for simplicity and creativity, collaborate with others, refactor code safely, debug problems quickly, and build a quality project from start to finish.
Jeff Atwood
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
Q: Why do you recommend Code Complete so much? A: In programming, people can be very dogmatic about what they think is right. Code Complete is not preachy in that way and instead cites a lot of data.      source
Recommended by
Taylor Otwell
The Inmates Are Running the Asylum book cover
The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
Why High Tech Products Drive Us Crazy and How to Restore the Sanity
Alan Cooper - 2004-02-24 (first published in 1999)
Goodreads Rating
Discover the power of technology through "The Inmates Are Running the Asylum." Author Alan Cooper sheds light on the common confusion surrounding electronics, computer chips, and other technologies found in everyday life. Cooper offers a new perspective on common sense interactions and offers insight into how technology can be designed to work for us, not the other way around.
Jeff Atwood
2012-10-22T00:00:00.000Z
Q: One of the books you mention on your blog is Alan Cooper’s The Inmates Are Running the Asylum. When I read the book, I must admit to being a little bit offended by his description of software engineers as loving complexity. A: But they totally do! The book is completely correct! That’s one of my lessons to my fellow programmers: Stop trying to be a great programmer, and focus on trying to be a great human being. How do you build things that human beings can actually use. I’m not saying you have to fall in love with your fellow human beings—they’re a lot harder to love and are a lot more erratic than you’d like. But you have to appreciate that, if you want people to use your stuff, you have to understand human factors. You have to appreciate that you need to ask: What’s the prior art on this? How are other people doing this, from a design perspective? That's absolutely critical to being a great programmer.      source
Recommended by
Brian Armstrong
Peopleware book cover
Peopleware
Productive Projects and Teams (3rd Edition)
Tom Demarco - 1999-02-01 (first published in 1987)
Goodreads Rating
"Improve Your Team's Success with Peopleware" is a direct and engaging book written for software development-team leaders and managers. Authors Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister offer commonsense wisdom to help teams work together harmoniously and productively, citing failures of teamwork as the cause of most software development project failures. Filled with humorous anecdotes, this refreshing read ranges from simple prioritization to complex team dynamics. Whether you work in technology or not, "Peopleware" offers advice and insight to boost your team's success.
Jeff Atwood
2012-10-22T00:00:00.000Z
The book Peopleware was actually instrumental in our getting this understanding that 80% of anything you attack is about questions like: How do people interact with the software? How can you get them to interact in a way that makes sense? That’s what you need to worry about. A lot of the time it doesn’t matter if your code is technically correct or pretty. That’s irrelevant if no one can actually understand what the hell it does. So, let’s get to first principles, first causes. Let’s understand what’s going on here.      source
Recommended by
Kevin Kelly
Friday Night Lights by H. G. Bissinger
Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug
About Face by Alan Cooper
Prioritizing Web Usability by Jakob Nielsen
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
The Pragmatic Programmer by David Thomas
Programming Pearls by Jon Bentley
Rapid Development by Steve McConnell
The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.