README

W.

Patrick McCray's README traces the half-century history of computing through a selection of nonfiction books that explained, popularized, and shaped public understanding of computers.

The book examines works ranging from early accounts of electronic 'giant brains' and cybernetics to writings about AI, personal computing, and the 1990s internet, using them as windows into cultural, technical, and publishing histories.

McCray emphasizes how books served as catalysts for communities, education, and broader acceptance of computing technologies, while also exploring publishing economics and authorship.

The narrative connects technological change to literary forms, showing how textbooks, popular science, and journalism each played roles in transforming perceptions and practices.

README concludes by reflecting on contemporary issues such as generative AI and the changing relationship between authorship, algorithms, and book consumption.