THE MAN WHO INVENTED THE COMPUTER The Biography of John Atanasoff, Digital Pioneer

A number of people contributed to the invention of the computer, but only one was given credit officially in a patent trial, John Atanasoff. Jane Smiley covers the lives of all the men involved and the steps they took in bringing about the Computer Age. Kathe Mazur's narration doesn't milk the drama, and there's much minutiae to pore over. However, the stories themselves—including suspicious deaths and WWII efforts on both sides—are fascinating enough that her low-key style is still mesmerizing. By the end, listeners will likely come to admire all the men profiled in this interesting look at the process of invention. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2011]