The computer boys take over - computers, programmers, and the politics of technical expertise (2012): https://www.amazon.com/Computer-Boys-Take-Over-Programmers/d...

Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age (2009): https://www.amazon.com/Invention-Information-Lemelson-Studie...

From airline reservations to Sonic the Hedgehog - a history of the software industry (2003): https://www.amazon.com/Airline-Reservations-Sonic-Hedgehog-C...

"Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age" is a great book:

http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Information-Lemelson-Studies...

Kurt Beyer's book on Grace Hopper gives a great perspective on the early days of computing: http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Information-Lemelson-Studies...

A very comprehensive view an lots of great stories in James Gleick's _The Information_: http://www.amazon.com/Information-History-Theory-Flood/dp/14...

Slightly off topic, but has anyone read "Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age"[1]? It's been on my wishlist for ages, but I've not got round to buying/reading it yet.

[1] http://www.amazon.co.uk/Invention-Information-Lemelson-Studi...

It is also important to remember that COBOL was the result of design by committee in the attempt to please all parties and not her opus. This is an incredible book about her life and contribution: http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Information-Lemelson-Studies...

Lately I have been reading the biography of Grace Hopper which is essentially about the genesis of programming/programming languages/compilers etc. Super motivating to read about the passion and belief that was required to create out of the ether an entirely new world. http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Information-Lemelson-Studies...