Beyond the code: the diverse reading lists of computer scientists
What does a software engineer read when they aren't debugging? From the intricate mechanics of cryptography to the sprawling epics of science fiction, the literary tastes of computer scientists reveal a fascinating overlap between technical mastery and deep, imaginative storytelling.
A survey of computer scientists conducted throughout 2022 reveals a reading list that spans far beyond technical manuals. While foundational texts like 'Structured Computer Organization' and 'The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering' remain staples for understanding the architecture and management of complex systems, the collection is notably diverse. The technical side is anchored by works such as 'Understanding Cryptography: A Textbook for Discretion and Practitioners' by Christof Paar, Jan Pelzl, et al., which provides the mathematical rigor necessary for modern security.
However, the intellectual curiosity of the field extends into history, espionage, and philosophy. The list includes Thucydides' 'The History of the Peloponnesian War' and the complex, interdisciplinary 'Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid'. There is also a significant interest in the high-stakes world of intelligence, evidenced by titles like 'A Spy Among Friends: Philby and the Great Betrayal' and 'Spytime: The Undoing of James Jesus Angleton', suggesting a fascination with patterns of deception and systemic failure.
Fiction also plays a vital role in this intellectual landscape. The presence of Dan Simmons' 'Hyperion' and the 'Murderbot Diaries' (specifically 'All Systems Red') highlights a deep engagement with speculative fiction and the exploration of artificial intelligence and identity. This blend of rigorous engineering texts, historical accounts, and speculative narratives suggests that for many in the field, reading is about exploring complex, interconnected systems, whether they are made of code, history, or imagined worlds.
Source: What do Computer Scientists Read? - Computerphile
