Beskrivelse
With the popular focus on Alan Turing’s work at Bletchly Park, most people may be unaware of his less dramatic, but grander, efforts to develop “universal” machines that could be applied — with proper programming — to any problem. And surely his ideas were foundational for more sophisticated software such as compilers.This absorbing book offers fascinating insights into British public schools, higher mathematics ,cryptography, computer design, the social psychology of class, British politics, competition among laboratories, more-brazen-self-promotion vs. loyal-but-solitary-determination, attitudes toward homosexuality in the 50s and 60s, and the complex, driven, conflicted personality of Turing himself. It is a well-researched and thoughtful book about an interesting person in interesting times.
