The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder

~$17 typical price

Tracy Kidder's Pulitzer Prize-winning account of an engineering team racing to build a new computer around 1980.

Why it makes a great gift

Anyone who has worked on a hard technical project will recognize the late nights, the egos and the thrill.

Great for: Her Wife Girlfriend Mom Sister Him Husband Boyfriend
Occasions: Christmas Birthday Mother's Day Father's Day Graduation Retirement Thank You Secret Santa

Featured in these gift guides

~$24

Helps a careful reader preserve well-loved books instead of retiring them when pages loosen.

Book LoversHistory Buffspractical

~$18

Gives a gamer the behind-the-scenes story of the industry they spend their evenings in.

GamersBook Loverspractical

~$25

Lets someone lying flat watch, read or video call without holding a screen over their face.

Tech LoversBook Loverspractical

~$17

The book that shaped modern true crime writing, and one many fans have heard of but never read.

True Crime FansBook Loverspractical