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20 GOTO 10
20 GOTO 10 — a book of numbers for computer nerds & deep technical wizards Whether you're interested in machines from the mainstream such as Sinclair, Acorn, Atari, Famicom, Sega, Nintendo, Sony, and Commodore, or the lesser known cabal of Dragon, Tandy, Oric, Amstrad, DEC, Jupiter, Vectrex, TI, and NewBrain (or even the virtually unheard of COSMAC Elf) 20 GOTO 10 is a book of numbers that describes the many facets of computing history, focusing on the golden age of old computers and retro games and consoles of the 1980s and 90s. It covers the hardware, software, and social history of the era showing how they're linked through numbers, such as 48K, C90, and 35899. Each entry starts with a number, and by choosing a related number you'll create a unique adventure through the book and into a web of forgotten geek lore and incredible facts. With luck, you'll find a way to arrive at the number used to grant infinite lives in Jet Set Willy!
288 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2023
12 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 10, 2023
I picked up the book via Unbound, as the author planned to go into detail about retro computing. The structure is based on numbers, which computing lore is full of. The book can either be read straight through (I did, which the author admonishes part way through), or by making a decision at the end of each section of where to jump to next. A different way of looking at the material.
The book is UK focused, so a lot on the machines that were popular there. The Sinclair is the focus of a lot of the trivia. It was interesting to learn about the quirks in its BASIC & machine language implementations. Also a lot of detail on cassette interfaces.
While there is a Mac on the cover, it isn’t mentioned. Very few Apple bits of trivia are provided. There is more on the Amiga than the Mac (I was a big fan of the 68000 series as it was much more advanced than the 8086 at the time). The author talks about the advanced sound capabilities of other machines, but doesn’t mention the Mockingboard for the Apple ][ that added robust capabilities that many games utilized.
I see the book as a good companion to others about retro computing, ie that from the 1970’s & 1980’s. It is filled more with facts and tidbits and less on impact. Visicalc isn’t discussed, which was a big factor in getting PC’s into business, for example. Here it is more of a light programming focus, with code bits and explanations for the implementations.
The book is UK focused, so a lot on the machines that were popular there. The Sinclair is the focus of a lot of the trivia. It was interesting to learn about the quirks in its BASIC & machine language implementations. Also a lot of detail on cassette interfaces.
While there is a Mac on the cover, it isn’t mentioned. Very few Apple bits of trivia are provided. There is more on the Amiga than the Mac (I was a big fan of the 68000 series as it was much more advanced than the 8086 at the time). The author talks about the advanced sound capabilities of other machines, but doesn’t mention the Mockingboard for the Apple ][ that added robust capabilities that many games utilized.
I see the book as a good companion to others about retro computing, ie that from the 1970’s & 1980’s. It is filled more with facts and tidbits and less on impact. Visicalc isn’t discussed, which was a big factor in getting PC’s into business, for example. Here it is more of a light programming focus, with code bits and explanations for the implementations.
November 13, 2023
An interesting book on retro-computers. Unlike other book on retro-technology, this one presents trivia on the machines: lots and lots of trivia on lots and lots of early home computers, some of which I later had to look on up the internet as I've never heard of them before.
The book also presents trivia on numerous games and on the idiosyncrasies of the machine themselves, both the operating systems and the tape based systems used at the time to save programs, and on the BASIC usually found on the machines. Some bring back memories of some of the POKES and PEEKS done in the past to 'bypass' game protection systems or to hack games.
The chapters, with a numbering system that starts with 0 (zero) repeatedly, and then jumps to other entries via GOTOs, are not meant to be read in sequence (although you can do that). Instead, you are meant to start with an entry of interest (computer, game related) then follow the appropriate GOTO until the end of the journey, like a 'pick-your-adventure' type book.
But whatever way you use to read the book, those who have used early computers and those who are now into retro-computing will probably find lots of entries of interest in the book.
The book also presents trivia on numerous games and on the idiosyncrasies of the machine themselves, both the operating systems and the tape based systems used at the time to save programs, and on the BASIC usually found on the machines. Some bring back memories of some of the POKES and PEEKS done in the past to 'bypass' game protection systems or to hack games.
The chapters, with a numbering system that starts with 0 (zero) repeatedly, and then jumps to other entries via GOTOs, are not meant to be read in sequence (although you can do that). Instead, you are meant to start with an entry of interest (computer, game related) then follow the appropriate GOTO until the end of the journey, like a 'pick-your-adventure' type book.
But whatever way you use to read the book, those who have used early computers and those who are now into retro-computing will probably find lots of entries of interest in the book.
November 7, 2023
A wonderful book for anyone interested in computers from the 1970's onwards. Packed full of facts, it could have been quite a dry read, but it's one of the most readable retro-computing books I've read! It's a real "page-turner" as each section is written so well, entertaining and informative. I particularly enjoyed some of the more in-depth sections that went into a lot of detail.
If you know a lot about computers you may know some (or many) of the facts already but even those are fun to read from another perspective.
I totally recommend this book, and the cover is great too. It would also make a terrific present for anyone into retro computing.
If you know a lot about computers you may know some (or many) of the facts already but even those are fun to read from another perspective.
I totally recommend this book, and the cover is great too. It would also make a terrific present for anyone into retro computing.
June 11, 2025
A fascinating history of lots of things that are now considered retro. Like many mentioned in the book, BASIC (or Microsoft's QuickBASIC, to be precise) was my first foray into programming (on an old Elonex 286 machine)... I guess it's stood me in good stead as I'm still programming now!
May 11, 2024
This is the most bottom-up written book I've seen, but the author found an overarching structure to tame and organize all the retro minutia.
Oh, and that's my Ultima-Runic-modded C64 on page 103. :)
Oh, and that's my Ultima-Runic-modded C64 on page 103. :)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews