This book, IMO, is written like a Porsche is built: fast, fun, and nimble. Though I picked it up because of its subject matter (computers, software), I also enjoyed it for a second reason: the quality of the writing. I’ve really enjoyed reading, and dipping back into, this book. I almost never open up books after I’ve read them, but this one is an exception. I find myself keeping it around where I can get to it easily- and reading excerpts just for the fun of it. IMO, this guy’s writing is great.

For those who have been in technology for a while, the book will be a somewhat nostalgic look at what has happened over the years from the world of high-tech marketing. Combined with Chapman's often hilarious observations, the book is a most enjoyable and fascinating read and is hard to put down once you start.

Many books of this nature are written by jounalists who simply 'report' the news. As a result, they don't always get their facts straight (Accidental Empires by Robert X. Cringely and Dot.Con by John Cassidy are examples). Merrill R. Chapman was there and reports first hand what he not only witnessed, but also experienced. And he does so with exceptional accuracy. I was there in many of the examples he offers in the book and was ecstatic to see (and remember!) many of the stories he recalls in this fabulous book.

It’s for anyone in marketing. The book is well-done and has some of the best software anecdotes… and discussions of marketing… that I have read in quite some time. I’m not in the software biz, but i have always been fascinated by it… and how its personalities can enhance, and in the cases you cited, undermine what are often very good products. I have been a marketer all of my career, and i felt that the paragraph on p 276 starting with “And then an awful realization…” was one of the best descriptions of what B2B marketing managers face and how difficult marketing management can be that i have ever encountered. I recommend the book highly for both entertainment and for marketing insights.