A short book, really an extended series of articles, portraying Stephenson's various experiences with operating systems -- DOS, Windows, Mac OS, and the various shades of Unix/Linux.It is not at all a necessary read for fans of Stephenson's fiction.Neither is it a necessary read for anyone well informed about OSes -- you'll have your own opinions and undoubtedly argue vociferously with Stephenson. Those interested in learning about how PC operating systems got this way could use this book as an overview, but it is incomplete, not attempting to present all sides or histories, but just anecdotes of what Stephenson has encountered, and his thoughts as to why it is that way.Perhaps the only readers of this book to be rewarded are those seeking a minor insight into Stephenson, himself, as his first-person approach is revelatory.