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Review: The First 20 Million is Always the Hardest 37

Posted by Hemos from the coulda-been-better dept.
I recently read Po Bronson's sophomore effort, The First 20 Million is Always the Hardest (TF20MIATH), and had a few gripes about it. Click below to read mine, and to share your own critiques - compliments - comments - ramblings about the book.
The First 20 Million is Always the Hardest
author Po Bronson
pages 237
publisher Random House
rating 4/10
reviewer Jeff "hemos" Bates
ISBN
summary An attempt at writing a fictional Silicon Valley Story

Several months ago I read Bronson's latest book, The Nudist on the Late Shift . It was good - not quite Microserfs , but definitely worth the time I spent reading it.

So, with that in mind, and having heard a little bit about his other material, I kept an eye open for Bombardiers or TF20MIATH, and eagerly fell upon the first of the two that came to me.

Most of TF20MIATH's main characters are engineers, "iron-men" in the parlance of the book, who work for a research facility that's supposed to attract only the best and brightest. You aren't paid a lot of money to work there. You do it for the love of the work, and to prove you're an Iron Man, or "uber-mann." However, the work done at the lab does have commercial properties, and the lab is funded by commercial companies. The largest sponsoring company, much like AMD, is trying to compete with Intel. This fact creates some of the book's conflict.

The lead character, Andy, joins the lab after quitting his job at that psuedo-AMD company, but his desires to work at The Lab are (major summarization here) soon quenched by the other main character, Francis Benoit, who is constantly seeking to prove that he is the Super-Iron-Man of them all.

One of the ongoing battles of the book is between the powerful "big iron machines" the lab is known for developing and the evolving world of thin client, networked machines. Bronson's treatment of this conflict, coupled with the somewhat Messianic light that these cheap Internetworked computers will bring to the world writ large, is the books's central thought. It's a good thought, and I think it's one that has some validity. That is, as the world's population gets more education, and computers spread, I think things will get better. So does Bronson. And he says this again and again, in slightly different words each time.

The story itself, which in a way is a story about the world of the suits meeting the world of engineers, with the obvious party losing, falls short. The introduction of a female bit player who becomes Andy's girlfriend is contrived. Problems develop in the relationship, and we never hear if they are resolved or not. The disapperance of a fairly major character (Salman) is explained poorly, and is never mentioned again in any fashion.

Summary time: The story involves jealousy and politicking amongst the Iron Men Engineers while they as a caste also do battle with the Universe of the Suits. The main character must resolve issues with his girlfriend. All characters wrestle with problems, includings things like whether or not they will be fired, whether or not they can code something, and whether or not they can afford to buy better food.

It's not a bad book, it's just that unless this type of writing is your favorite, there are better books to read. There's a good book inside this one, but the problem is that the good book is only about one-third the length of the published version. Bronson is an author who seems to constantly be trying to figure out how to best tell a Silicon Valley story. In Nudist he did it succesfully, but in TF20MIATH he didn't. My recommendation: You won't regret reading this, but there's better stuff around..

You can buy TF20MIATH at Amazon.
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Review: The First 20 Million is Always the Hardest More

Review: The First 20 Million is Always the Hardest

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  • Why have I never heard anyone else use the phrase "the world writ large"? Am I uneducated, or are you using a malapropism?
  • as the world's population gets more education, and computers spread, I think things will get better.

    I think that as computer spread, things will get worse. More usefulness per employee == fewer employees needed == fewer jobs where we can use our brains. This hasn't happened yet in the computer industry, but it's essentially the same thing that has happened to manufacturing.

    And most people don't get more education than they need, period. Most people are inherently lazy, and do only what is necessary to survive. Hence, end users will continue to act like idiots, more geeks will end up in tech support, and life will be hell for everyone.

    -Ender
    (Or maybe it's just that I'm in a bad mood because M$ Access is pissing me off today.)

  • Is Po Bronson Lying? (Score:2)

    by Anonymous Coward
    I ask this question not in response to the (apparently fictional) book at hand, but to his non-fiction appearing in Wired. When I originally read the article that's the "cover story" for Nudist on the Late Shift, I kept getting the same feeling that eventually led Glass's editors at The New Republic to nail _him_ for lying: 1. This stuff is too good to be true, and 2. Why on earth are the people in this story letting him witness these (frequently delicate and embarassing) events? I got much the same feeling reading parts of "Generation Equity" this year. At present I have no hard and conclusive proof for this (which is while I'll remaining an Anonymous Coward for now). However, I'd like someone who actually lives and works in Silicon Valley to see if they can track down the people in Bronson's books and articles.
  • >I think that as computer spread, things will get worse. More usefulness per employee == fewer
    >employees needed == fewer jobs where we can use our brains. This hasn't happened yet in the
    >computer industry, but it's essentially the same thing that has happened to manufacturing.

    Reminds me of the visitor in Russia who noticed that the maid was using an extremely small broom and when asked why she replies that using bigger brooms would put people out of work.
  • It's a distortion of (I think) Plato, something like "Man is the world writ small / The world is man writ large". I think the "world writ large" phrase is fairly common on its own, though.

    --

  • I liked Nudist and 20M, but Bombardiers is clearly the best Bronson. It is about bond traders, to an extent, but the real focus of the book is just about having a job. The politics, the stories, the friends.. It's a kick-ass read.

  • Re:Computers make things better? (Score:3)

    by Gleef ( 86 ) on Monday August 30, 1999 @07:25AM (#1717107) Homepage
    I see both trends. What matters is which has more momentum. Automation does get rid of jobs, but the jobs it gets rid of tend to be more menial jobs, not "jobs where we can use our brains". To a certain extent, creative jobs will be lost from automation only if the old version has a large menial aspect to it that can be automated away, making the worker more efficient. In the real world, however, the computer seems to add at least as much menial crud as it takes away, so we aren't seeing a lot of this yet.

    On the other hand, there is theoretically room for an infinite number of creative jobs. This is only limited by the supply and demand economics of the present system. How many (and what kind) of creative jobs is the economy willing to support? For example, the economy will happily support an programmer or a research scientist, but it's tough to find support for a performance artist or an inventor.

    Even worse is the supply issue. How many people have both the ability and the training to thrive in a creative field. I don't know about the rest of the world, but the education system here in the US helps train millions of people to the point where they are barely qualified to flip burgers at a fast food restaurant. Our University systems, on the other hand, are so good that our students can't get in, and can't handle it when they do get in.

    So basically, computers aren't the problem, they're getting rid of the crap work. The problem is we need to use the wealth so generated to train and support more creative people, rather than line the wallets of corporate executives.

    ----

  • Yes, but let's consider... (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward
    I was able to pick up a copy of this book (on clearance for $3.00 at the local B&N!) about a month ago. From the opening description of ISA vs. PCI architecture, I could tell this was a book I wanted to read regardless of price.

    Although somewhat roundabout at times, this book has many great moments ("...I havn't had a girlfriend in six years."). As I was reading it, I couldn't help but notice a certain delicacy with which Bronson treated the Iron Men, however comical at times. It was as if he truly cared about how the mainstream saw this world of hacker geeks by, in effect, presenting their perception of mainstream "reality" (see infinite loop). If these super-coders can be looked upon as saviors, maybe people can start to take notice of just how smart they really are.

    So, my biggest suggestion in reading this book is to not focus in on the trials and tribulations of Andy, but to instead be aware of the lifestyle that has been portrayed here. Within regular media reports, the mythical hacker is largely misunderstood. They are not said to be intelligent as hell, but rather mischeivious or merely an outcast with no other choice. I was very impressed with the way Bronson laid it out here and gave credit where credit is due.

    One note that I think is interesting- A screen play has been written by Jon Favreau (of Swingers fame) based on this book. You can read part of it at Bronson's site [pobronson.com]. Although this will likely cripple the overall genuity even more ("starring Matt Damon as Andy!"), I think the effort Bronson has made to reach a wider audience should be commended.
  • There is a great sci-fi book, who's name completely escapes me at the moment, which deals with this idea. Basically the whole world is run by machines that can repair themselves and all of societies deens are met without work. It is several hundred (thousand?) years later, and no one knows anything about how the machines work, they are all magic to them, since it has been so long since they needed to know. Of course then things break, but I won't ruin the story, mostly since I can't remember how it ends.
  • "Childhoods End" by Authur C Clark (sp?) dealt with this issue. Pretty positive outlook anyway.

    In the book, they automated everything, and because it was so much cheaper to do so, people could live without working. Their basic needs were provided for. If they wanted more, they had to pick up a job that used their brains. I don't think it's that bad of an idea.

  • I haven't read this book, but the elite company of engineers struggling against the always counterproductive "management" idea is not a new one. Ever read Player Piano? Of course we don't have the Reeks and the Recks here -- or the Socialism! :-)
  • I don't understand why any techies would want to come home and read crap written by someone who half understands what they do. I've read this and Microserfs. I feel the same way about other books that pandered to the GenX audience. I felt the authors were trying too hard to demonstrate that they understood the jargon and concepts rather than build a compelling story or develop characters. Thus the characters are lame as hell. Cripes, taking another man's place on a photo shoot? stealing shoes? Decking out an office in Legos? A world where an engineer can be had by giving him a ride in a VW and talking about the speed limit? Not only do these books read like high school short stories, I wouldn't want to know these folks if they were real.
  • I found this to be an extremely enjoyable book. Frankly, based on the review comments, I find it surprising that the reviewer would hold "Microserfs" (a rather plotless effort) up as the level to which all silicon-valley fiction should aspire.

    This book has many levels, and one of the major subtexts to this story is the questions of why the protagonist (Andy Piper) does not turn out more like his main "antagonist", Francis Benot. They are two sides of the same coin -- a sort of techie version of the Yin/Yang conflict. Benoit's is clearly conflicted regarding Andy, as his frequent "dueling" and sabotage, along with his desire to have Andy work for him indicate.

    There are also some classic scenes and priceless images in this book. Take for example the "What Time is it" challenge that Benot gives Piper in the opening few chapters. A classic phsychological trick and a good example of how your own mind can be your worst enemy. Or the running joke about the posh New York advertising agency attempting to create an advertising campaign around important Silicon Valley businessmen, and becoming increasingly crestfallen at the raw material they have to work with.

    While this book may not be perfect, I found to be at least as enjoyable as Bombadiers (if not more realistic), and a far better read than Microserfs. I think one of Broson's great strengths is his ability to create lively, realistic characters and populate his stories with them.

    I rate this book as an 8/10.
  • Oh, I think this book did have some classical moments, and that Benoit is a great character. But a string of good scenes, scattered across a void of flatness does not a good book make. That's why I said there's part of a good book in there, because it's there. It's just weight down with a vast majority of not-so-good.
  • Don't buy this book unless you have too much spare time. I unfortunately have read it - wasted time.

    /Alex

  • I still disagree that 4/10 is reasonable. 4 out
    of 10 sounds like "F" quality work, which I don't think TF20MIATH deserves. 4/10 sounds like worthless pablum that is best avoided at all costs.

    In short, "4" and less should be reserved exclusively for the purpose of rating any of Piers Anthony's novels, any of Bill Gates' various infomercial books, and any future "I invented the internet" stories by VP Gore.

    Consider:

    1. TF20MIATH has a definite beginning, middle, and end. There is an exciting race sequence. There are fun math puzzles. There is great
    dialog. There are some decidedly prescient concepts of the "sub-$500 PC".

    2. This is an extremely funny book. I loved how the one fellow taped a patch over his eye to stop his headaches from the fluorescent lights
    and told his coworkers it was from a fight with his sister-in-law. I liked how Andy's love-interest made pasta in a rice-maker, because of course it's impossible to have a real-life apartment (with a kitchen) anywhere near Menlo park without shelling out $2000 a month. Benoit walking out of that last meeting and coming face-to-face with Piper's practical joke was hilarious -- and somehow sad at the same time.

    I think you and others are glossing over many of the more interesting aspects of the book, and I frankly don't see why everyone hated it so much. I have read far, far worse. And in fact seen far worse books given far better reviews right here on slashdot.

    I urge you, sir, to revise your unconscionable rating and return some sense of justice and fairness to this review forum! :-)
  • This is what I noticed as well. Bronson seemed very ahead of his time for someone with a Fine Arts degree. His parallel to network terminals and java were very fun to follow. Although it was far- fetched to think about the true amount of work these ideas would take. But imagining them come to life in the adolescent days of the internet was fun, and this helped clear up a lot of the flatness of which Hemos spoke of. Bronson dealt with a variety of issues, and I think he walked the line of fiction vs. reality pretty well. At least well enough to keep interested someone fairly familiar with the subject matter.
  • I agree M(r/s) Fulgham. I am surprised to see it get such a panning in Slashdot since it seems so much in sympathy with things that Slashdot readers feel. Francis Benoit is embittered because his lovely chip is used to run Windows. The good guys fight back by opensourcing Java. The description of how force is exerted by shareholders is also refreshing.
    I didn't think it was quite as convincing as Bombardiers but then Mr. Bronson started out as a bond salesman rather than a chip designer. For anyone wanting a look at life in the capital markets though truth is stranger than fiction and Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis is even better.

    Two points though. In my edition Andy's surname is Caspar not Piper and had I been answering the clock question I would have been tempted to answer that it was time to get a new clock sincewhenn the big hand is at the 4 the little hand should be a third of the way from one number to the next.

    A question. Is there a real life La Honda?
  • I read Microserfs, and I thought it was the most pointless and boring story I ever read. I didn't care about the characters (or is that "caricatures"?) and I couldn't find anything remotely resembling a plot.
  • of course you would. it's so endearing, isn't it?
    at least i have a _name_.
    :-)
    heh heh...
  • in fact, Jon Favreau (of 'Swingers' fame) is developing a screen play for "The First $20
    Million...". i believe too, that the movie is to be called "Ironmen" (perhaps a working
    title let's hope.)

    some info on it is at po's site [pobronson.com], as well as a copy of the first page of the actual script (if i recall correctly...). it deviates from the book a bit, as the book begins with the exit interview and the movie seems to start with a bit "before" that...

    ***

    personally, btw, i loved this book. read it twice, in fact. it's fun, let it be fun! don't get anal over a book, for pete's sake!
  • Why are people comparing this book to Microserfs (which I strongly disliked)? I haven't read it yet, but from the plot summary it appears to be The Soul of a New Machine updated with PCs and the Internet (and Benoit sounds like a ripoff of Jean Louis Gassee to me). If the characters are as badly portrayed as the ones in Douglas Copeland's book (which I have to assume, from reading Po Bonson's Wired articles [most recently Gen Equity]) then all you have is a bunch of people running around being weird (for no other reason than to have "character") trying to get rich.

    From the review, the book doesn't sound very interesting at all unless the prose is good (in which case it doesn't matter if it's about Silicon Valley). Do yourselves a favour and read The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder or Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution by Steve Levy instead. I think both Kidder and Levy are primarily journallists so they don't have a good grasp of technology, but they do have an excellent grasp of what makes computer geeks tick.

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