10 of 10. This book is easily within the select few books that I've enjoyed 150%, page for page. The general topic of heuristic-based problem solving strategies is discussed, including search- and network-based solution techniques, evolutionary approaches, along with plenty of fundamental information on problems, modeling, and the process of devising solutions. I felt engaged throughout, constantly presented with example problems to keep my brain active. Although some relatively elementary math is used to express concepts, the book is surprisingly easy to read (considering the density and depth of the material covered).

Just as a teaser, I'll go ahead and offer up one of the simplistic examples found early in the book:

Mr. Smith and his wife invited four other couples for a party. When everyone arrived, some of the people in the room shook hands with some of the others. Of course, nobody shook hands with their spouse and nobody shook hands with the same person twice.

After that, Mr. Smith asked everyone how many times they shook someone's hand. He received different answers from everybody.

How many times did Mrs. Smith shake someone's hand?

8 of 10. This was a gift, and was read within a couple days of receiving it. The book is basically a novel that reads like a pathetic Microsoft employee's journal. He and his friends decide to be not-so-pathetic, and decide to join a 90's-style start-up, but still end up being pathetic. I'm still unsure what sucked me in, as I'm typically not a fan of works of fiction, but perhaps it was the truthfulness of the Microsoft cultural references that did me in. It's a bit frightening when a fictional book reads as though it's a diary of your own life... oh, and it was written ~10 years ago! Now, I'd like to think that I'm not as sad as the characters in the story, but perhaps I'm in denial? ;)

7 of 10. For that spreadsheet-oriented part of your brain. Covers some fairly straightforward (duhh) concepts that, as in most books written on topics of business and management matters, should be obvious but often aren't. And no, this book doesn't advocate for eliminating risk entirely, quite the opposite actually. Which is why I found it interesting: it is primarily about managing and mitigating the negative consequences that could result from making (and managing the implementation of) risky decisions.

7 of 10. Most of this material is available right on Joel's weblog, but for those who prefer killing trees (which I do, not for the killing trees part but rather the yet-to-be-widely-understood preferable feeling of holding a book in one's hands) this was worth it. His style of writing gives some people heartburn, but if you take it for what it is, it's enjoyable. So what is it? Well, a collection of op-ed pieces on technology from somebody with a respectable amount of experience and success in the software industry. Luckily, you can get a good taste of his style by reading his weblog and be at ease knowing the book is significantly less expensive than your average book covering the subject of computers.

9 of 10. A classic tale of foolish mistakes that have sunk entire software- product units and/or companies over the years. I burst out laughing several times, and still can't believe that many of the stories are true. I find that learning from other peoples' mistakes is often more valuable than digesting theoretical prose, especially when it comes to business advice. This book serves that purpose perfectly.

8 of 10. A very well-written historical account of the software industry, and (imho) an indispensable resource for attempting to understand where we've been and where we're going. This fell into the category of "once you start, you just can't put it down"... for me, at least.