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Old Coder Guy Book 1: Absurdity and Dubious Wisdom from an Accidental 30 Year Career in Technology
Following a shockingly successful run on nerd TikTok, the Old Coder Guy franchise is making a dent in traditional print media, with Old Coder Guy Book 1.
Each chapter of this book is an essay about an aspect of technology, management, leadership, and how to learn in these domains. The book talks about the tech careers that you don't see in the headlines... the jobs that *most* of us have, where we're grinding away on the 99% of the products and systems that aren't launched by turtleneck-wearing ***holes on a conference center stage. A bit of career advice, a bit of management and leadership advice, and absurd stories about things going wrong more often than they went right. Most books make a straight run at topics like "management", but Old Coder Guy flanks that s.o.b. and pops out from the box hedge it's walking past, where it will never see me coming until after I've taken out it's knees with our three iron of wisdom.
If you only plan to read three books in your lifetime... then this should definitely not be one of them. But the fourth? Again, still no. Look, with regard to the helpfulness and reliability of this book description in the face of what seems to be your impossibly high standards, we could sit here pointing fingers and playing he-said, she-said all day, but in the end, we're just two people. One of them who has written this book, and the other of whom is looking for a book. This is the smell and taste of bolt-of-lightening, meant-to-be karma, and that man in front of you, sweaty and glistening, with arms extended holding out this book, is me, meeting you what honestly feels like well over half-way. It's time to ask yourself if you'd rather be right, or rather be reading. Also, there's a lot of profanity, so you may not want to gift it to Gramgram for her birthday, unless she's a fun grandma who likes to code and party.
Each chapter of this book is an essay about an aspect of technology, management, leadership, and how to learn in these domains. The book talks about the tech careers that you don't see in the headlines... the jobs that *most* of us have, where we're grinding away on the 99% of the products and systems that aren't launched by turtleneck-wearing ***holes on a conference center stage. A bit of career advice, a bit of management and leadership advice, and absurd stories about things going wrong more often than they went right. Most books make a straight run at topics like "management", but Old Coder Guy flanks that s.o.b. and pops out from the box hedge it's walking past, where it will never see me coming until after I've taken out it's knees with our three iron of wisdom.
If you only plan to read three books in your lifetime... then this should definitely not be one of them. But the fourth? Again, still no. Look, with regard to the helpfulness and reliability of this book description in the face of what seems to be your impossibly high standards, we could sit here pointing fingers and playing he-said, she-said all day, but in the end, we're just two people. One of them who has written this book, and the other of whom is looking for a book. This is the smell and taste of bolt-of-lightening, meant-to-be karma, and that man in front of you, sweaty and glistening, with arms extended holding out this book, is me, meeting you what honestly feels like well over half-way. It's time to ask yourself if you'd rather be right, or rather be reading. Also, there's a lot of profanity, so you may not want to gift it to Gramgram for her birthday, unless she's a fun grandma who likes to code and party.
- GenresNonfiction
244 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2023
17 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 24, 2023
They say that within the embrace of humor lies the swiftest path to learning. If that is so, this exceptional book will convert you into the most prolific engineering manager, gifting laughter as your guide.
July 26, 2023
Over the past ten years, the demands of my daily life have been such that the opportunity to leisurely read a book for pure enjoyment has been an elusive luxury. However, on the memorable date of July 4th, I found myself immersed in the world created within the pages of this extraordinary book. From the moment I opened it in the middle of the day, I was so captivated by its contents that I did not put it down until I had devoured every word.
This remarkable literary work is something I wholeheartedly recommend to a wide range of readers. It's not just a book for those who are part of the technology industry or have interacted with it in some capacity. This is a book for everyone who's traversed the journey of life and has found themselves in conversations with other human beings. Its appeal is universal.
While the first book was immensely satisfying, the anticipation for the subsequent releases in the series is already building within me. Whether OCG decides to extend the series to 50, 100, or even more volumes is a matter of speculation. However, I do know that I am committed to adding each and every one of these future publications to my personal collection. This declaration serves as a testament to my deep appreciation for this author's talent and the immense pleasure derived from their work.
When considering your next read, I urge you to turn to this incredible book - whether you're a tech professional seeking relatable content, or simply an individual navigating life's interactions, there's something in it for everyone. Enjoy the captivating narrative now, and join me in the eager anticipation for the series' future installments. Your bookshelf will thank you.
This remarkable literary work is something I wholeheartedly recommend to a wide range of readers. It's not just a book for those who are part of the technology industry or have interacted with it in some capacity. This is a book for everyone who's traversed the journey of life and has found themselves in conversations with other human beings. Its appeal is universal.
While the first book was immensely satisfying, the anticipation for the subsequent releases in the series is already building within me. Whether OCG decides to extend the series to 50, 100, or even more volumes is a matter of speculation. However, I do know that I am committed to adding each and every one of these future publications to my personal collection. This declaration serves as a testament to my deep appreciation for this author's talent and the immense pleasure derived from their work.
When considering your next read, I urge you to turn to this incredible book - whether you're a tech professional seeking relatable content, or simply an individual navigating life's interactions, there's something in it for everyone. Enjoy the captivating narrative now, and join me in the eager anticipation for the series' future installments. Your bookshelf will thank you.
March 13, 2024
Reading this book is pure fun. It’s as funny as his social media videos, with particularly snarky passages about crypto, AI, imposter syndrome, and org charts. But it’s also humble and heartfelt. His 9/11 story had me crying, as did his time as a lifeguard. There are gems in this book.
July 26, 2023
I like this guy's stuff on tiktok, it's really funny. Like so funny that I ordered his book just to support him. I didn't even know his name was Eric until I wrote this review. But has he come through with extra value.
Specifically:
1) I can feel the self satisfaction of helping someone else out, narcissistically feeding my own need for external validation since it's the only way I know how to feel less shitty.
2) I can put it on my bookshelf in case anyone else comes to my house who is as smart as I narcissistically think I am. By noticing the book I can tell they have supreme taste in content. Like me. Cause it's a narcissistic need.
3) I've leafed through it a few times and it's funny. So funny that it has BATHROOM BOOK POTENTIAL. This is where all of the most read literature in the world lives, and we all know it. It's the gold medal of printed reach, really.
Suggestions for the next edition:
- Lean into the bathroom book angle. Consider ads for something mail-order. Suggest Seamonkeys. Just spit ballin'.
- Choose your own adventure section for career stories.... we know how it went from the book, now let's look at how it *could* have gone. Just spit ballin'.
- Default recommendation for all books moving forward, somehow you're going to have to provide some bullsh*t backwards rationalization as to how you've used Artificial Intelligence to create the book. Maybe recipe suggestions gone wrong? Just spit ballin'.
Well, speaking of, I need to wrap up this review and go practice for the big spit ball game this weekend. I feel like I'm putting the hay in the barn to really compete this time. But what I love most of all about it is no matter what place I come in, I know in my heart it's only spit ballin'. Peace
Dave
Specifically:
1) I can feel the self satisfaction of helping someone else out, narcissistically feeding my own need for external validation since it's the only way I know how to feel less shitty.
2) I can put it on my bookshelf in case anyone else comes to my house who is as smart as I narcissistically think I am. By noticing the book I can tell they have supreme taste in content. Like me. Cause it's a narcissistic need.
3) I've leafed through it a few times and it's funny. So funny that it has BATHROOM BOOK POTENTIAL. This is where all of the most read literature in the world lives, and we all know it. It's the gold medal of printed reach, really.
Suggestions for the next edition:
- Lean into the bathroom book angle. Consider ads for something mail-order. Suggest Seamonkeys. Just spit ballin'.
- Choose your own adventure section for career stories.... we know how it went from the book, now let's look at how it *could* have gone. Just spit ballin'.
- Default recommendation for all books moving forward, somehow you're going to have to provide some bullsh*t backwards rationalization as to how you've used Artificial Intelligence to create the book. Maybe recipe suggestions gone wrong? Just spit ballin'.
Well, speaking of, I need to wrap up this review and go practice for the big spit ball game this weekend. I feel like I'm putting the hay in the barn to really compete this time. But what I love most of all about it is no matter what place I come in, I know in my heart it's only spit ballin'. Peace
Dave
February 11, 2024
I was lucky to have gotten my first copy from the kickstarter so I was able to get it finished by the time this dropped on Amazon. Once it was on there, I ended up ordering 3 more copies for some other tech worker friends of mine. Not to mention the fact that I plugged the book on my company Slack. (At which point many of my co-workers started wondering if I had a secret pen name).
It is true that as an old coder guy myself, I have many strong opinions about this business so I can see where my co-workers were coming from.. but Eric has so many more insights about this stuff than I ever have shared and his writing is so much fun.
If you're in the software business as a manager or an engineer, this is a must read. There is a lot of gold in this book.
It is true that as an old coder guy myself, I have many strong opinions about this business so I can see where my co-workers were coming from.. but Eric has so many more insights about this stuff than I ever have shared and his writing is so much fun.
If you're in the software business as a manager or an engineer, this is a must read. There is a lot of gold in this book.
July 26, 2023
If you work in IT, or ever worked in a place that has an IT department, or if you have ever had to manage people, then it is vital that you read this book.
Since I've read this book I have achieved all my career goals, brought to fruition my wildest fantasies, and made tons of money in the process.
I have abandoned all forms of religion and rejected all forms of government. I have dedicated my life to preaching the ways of OCG to co-workers, upper management , interns, lovers, friends, moral enemies, and the cashier at my local grocery store.
Since I've read this book I have achieved all my career goals, brought to fruition my wildest fantasies, and made tons of money in the process.
I have abandoned all forms of religion and rejected all forms of government. I have dedicated my life to preaching the ways of OCG to co-workers, upper management , interns, lovers, friends, moral enemies, and the cashier at my local grocery store.
April 2, 2024
I really, really enjoyed the old war stories of programming. The first chapter and the American Express sections are my favorite. There is some good wisdom in here too. I am looking forward to the next book.
I think that we should put Eric on weekly sprints, a demo, and have a committee review to make sure that it is progressing well. Might have well hire five project managers and a scrum master too. 😉
I think that we should put Eric on weekly sprints, a demo, and have a committee review to make sure that it is progressing well. Might have well hire five project managers and a scrum master too. 😉
September 5, 2024
This book is a recap of the author's past in software development. I came to him through his TikToks and he carries that same sardonic humor in this book too. I think that can be detrimental at times, as it leads to a few tangents and a certain informality that feels distracting at times. I get that he's trying to present himself as personable and authentic. He does that in several places effectively, but in other places it comes off as inauthentic and overzealous. But overall I enjoyed it.
January 3, 2024
OCG is someone I’d like to share a meal with. This book, if nothing else, demonstrates a deep understanding of the human condition. There are wonderful and hilarious stories throughout the book and he shares deep lessons on how to be and go about your business as a software developer and a leader in the industry.
July 26, 2023
As some who has worked in tech/IT for almost 20 years and aspires to me a manager, this book gives excellent advice. I would say the information in here has been instrumental in me earning my PMP certification.
August 10, 2023
Made me laugh out loud, very relatable corporate America content, appreciate the management takes, the start-up and entrepreneurship sections. Smart, funny, relatable, and the author has a sitcom series on TikTok
July 26, 2023
Best book I've read this year.
It's funny and wit.
You might learn a thing or two.
If not you'll at least have a good time reading it.
It's funny and wit.
You might learn a thing or two.
If not you'll at least have a good time reading it.
July 26, 2023
if you want hilarity and honesty to break down your sense of self importance and accelerate you towards better learning and leadership, i fully recommend.
March 17, 2024
I am already asking all of my coworkers to give me their detailed thoughts on the topic of the meeting.
Great book, hilarious and a little too real when working at a FAANG like I do.
Great book, hilarious and a little too real when working at a FAANG like I do.
October 31, 2024
Liked this one!
September 3, 2023
I just finished the Copyright Notes (epub) and I am already LOL. This promises to be better than Microserfs. BRB
Ok, I’m back. This was a great read and so as not to put spoilers here, there are more than one unexpected twist in the plot. [presses applause light button]
If I know you and you are in my tech circle, don’t buy this book… Christmas is coming. 😉
Ok, I’m back. This was a great read and so as not to put spoilers here, there are more than one unexpected twist in the plot. [presses applause light button]
If I know you and you are in my tech circle, don’t buy this book… Christmas is coming. 😉
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews