Hiive Books: The ZX Spectrum Book - 1982 to 199x January 28, 2008
I just found out about The ZX Spectrum Book - 1982 to 199x, a book about the greatest 80s home computer of all time, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Which, incidentally, was my first computer at age 13.
The book seems to consist entirely of descriptions of the great games that were released on this platform. Even though I can read about (and even download and play) these games on the web and I would have loved to have seen more than just game descriptions, I feel compelled to buy this book.
It was written by Andrew Rollings and published by the enigmatic Hiive Books. Enigmatic because the link from Andrew’s bio is broken and the main page only contains a logo. But that may be because Hiive Books is apparently just Andrew. Regardless: self-publishing is great, and book like this are a great business idea. Go Andrew!
(The poor, deluded souls who spent the 80s trying to have fun with Commodore 64s, permanently stunting their intellectual growth in the progress, may be interested in The C64 Book - 1982 to 199x.)
Complementary reading: http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/cover1.htm
And also http://www.crashonline.org.uk/
I don’t want to sound like fanboy…
Ok, I do. C64 > ZX Spectrum
That requires no proof. ;>
Sweet! will definitely have to get hold of this!
Might get the C64 one as well, but lower priority, since Speccy > C64 :-P
Now if only they’d come out with one for the Amiga…
Dominik: It does indeed require no proof, just like the opposite statement :)
Crispin: They are coming out with one for the Amiga ;)
Highly recommended: http://www.variantpress.com/books/on-the-edge
Not that much about games, but more about technology and the intricate mechanics of doing business in an uncharted market…
Much hoorays! :-D
Hi Jurie,
Thanks for the plug :)
It’s not just descriptions of games… it weaves in the history of the industry and interesting trivia about the games, companies and authors too.
Anyway, you’ll find out yourself in a few days :)
Oh, and I’m very nearly sold out (down to my last twenty or so copies)
The website will be updated with a ’sold out’ sign when they’re gone.
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
thanks for that info. I looked at the 3 sample pages and they were all about single games, so I extrapolated :) Although the 4th sample bit I found through the news page did talk about something else.
Anyway, just got word it is being shipped from the U.S., I hope I can avoid paying customs :)
Jurie
It’s a nice nostalgic geeks coffee table book. I think that was it’s aim, and it is exactly that.
Of course the perfect compliment is my ZX Spectrum iGoogle Gadget :) Check it out at
http://www.gadgetbadger.com/50/zx-spectrum-emulator-and-games-igoogle-gadget/