THOSE AMAZING COMPUTERS: Uses of Modern Thinking Machines

by Melvin Berger ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 5, 1973

Though the word efficiency is never used, it seems to be the key concept and unquestioned value informing this survey of the computer's contribution to government, law enforcement, air and space travel, classroom learning, biological and behavioral research, even decoding Stonehenge and solving ""instant insanity."" There is only one cursory example to illustrate the ""dangers in government"" and two on the ""dangers in business"" of large data banks, and they focus on mechanical errors rather than political threats; Berger is evidently more interested in throwing doubt on the Warren Commission report, which he does quite effectively in a two-page string of unanswered questions he slips into a chapter on ""investigating assassinations."" The book ends with a chapter on the R.E.S.I.S.T.O.R.S. -- a group of teenage computer ""hams"" in New Jersey; potential members, we suspect, will pass this over for a more technical survey. Those who share Berger's naive amazement will find his snappy series of illustrative incidents and programs easily readable.

Pub Date: Nov. 5, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 188

Publisher: John Day

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION