One sentence summary
A fast-paced and detailed account of the creation of Windows NT and the inner workings of Microsoft.
Book genre
Non-fiction, business and technology.
Main topic of the book
The development and launch of Windows NT, a groundbreaking operating system, and the larger implications of this project for Microsoft and the tech industry.
Key ideas
- The intense competition and high stakes involved in creating a new operating system.
- The important roles played by key individuals, including Bill Gates and Dave Cutler.
- The implications of the success or failure of Windows NT for Microsoft and the tech industry.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
Part 1: Introduction to Windows NT and Microsoft
This section provides an overview of Microsoft’s history and the events leading up to the development of Windows NT. It also introduces the key players involved in the project.
Part 2: The Race to Create Windows NT
This section delves into the intense competition between Microsoft and other tech giants like IBM and Novell to create a new, advanced operating system. It also details the challenging technical and organizational obstacles faced by the Windows NT team.
Part 3: The Inner Workings of Microsoft
Here, the author explores the inner workings and power dynamics at Microsoft, particularly the relationship between Bill Gates and Dave Cutler. This section provides insight into the company culture and leadership styles that shaped the development of Windows NT.
Part 4: Launch and Aftermath of Windows NT
The last section covers the long-awaited launch of Windows NT and its impact on Microsoft and the tech industry. It also discusses the successes and failures of the project and the lessons learned from it.
Key takeaways
- The development of Windows NT was a high-stakes race between tech giants and had significant implications for the industry.
- The success of the project was heavily dependent on key individuals and their leadership styles.
- Building and launching a new operating system is a complex and challenging undertaking, both technically and organizationally.
- The lessons learned from the development of Windows NT continue to influence Microsoft’s approach to innovation and competition in the tech industry.
Author’s background and qualifications
G. Pascal Zachary is an American journalist and author with a focus on technology and business. He has written for publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times and is currently a professor at Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Target audience
This book is geared towards anyone interested in the history and inner workings of Microsoft, the development of Windows NT, and the tech industry. It may be of particular interest to those interested in the business aspect of technology and the personalities behind major innovations.
Publisher and first publication date
The book ‘Show Stopper!: The Breakneck Race to Create Windows NT and the Next Generation at Microsoft’ was published by Free Press in 1994.