The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

by Frederick P. Brooks Jr., Frederick P. Brooks
The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technology and Innovation
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £34.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 4710
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2026-01-28
  • ISBN: 9780132119160
  • Publisher: Pearson Education
  • Published: 1995-08-02
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Mythical Man-Month is a seminal work on software project management that has remained influential for decades. Fred Brooks, drawing from his extensive experience as a project manager for IBM's System/360 computer family and its massive software system OS/360, offers a blend of software engineering facts and thought-provoking opinions. The book presents essays that provide valuable insights for anyone managing complex projects. In this updated edition, Brooks revisits his original ideas and adds new thoughts and advice. The added chapters include a condensation of all the propositions asserted in the original book, his view of these propositions a generation later, a reprint of his classic 1986 paper 'No Silver Bullet,' and his current thoughts on the 1986 assertion. This edition is valuable for both readers familiar with his work and those discovering it for the first time.

Reviews
Hello PM · 2026-01-26
classic 4.50

The book is a classic on software engineering, delving into the complexities and challenges of managing large-scale software projects. It is highly regarded for its timeless principles and practical advice.

Hello PM's review emphasizes the book's status as a classic in the field of software engineering. It delves into the complexities and challenges of managing large-scale projects, offering timeless principles and practical advice. The reviewer highlights the book's enduring relevance and its ability to provide valuable insights for anyone involved in software project management. The blend of theoretical concepts and real-world examples makes it a must-read for professionals seeking to understand the intricacies of software development.

Quick quotes

    “The Mythical Man-Month” is a classic book on software engineering that delves into the complexities and challenges of managing large-scale software projects.

    It is highly regarded for its timeless principles and practical advice.

    The blend of theoretical concepts and real-world examples makes it a must-read for professionals.

SomeBeans - Ian Hopkinson · Ian Hopkinson · 2025-10-21
insightful 4.00

The book is found to be really interesting, offering a unique perspective on software engineering. It's a resource that provides valuable insights and is highly recommended.

Ian Hopkinson found this book to be really interesting, especially as a way to understand the complexities of software engineering. The author's unique perspective and valuable insights make it a highly recommended read for anyone in the field. It's a book that offers a lot of food for thought and can help readers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and nuances of managing software projects.

Quick quotes

    I found this book really interesting, in part as a way to understand the complexities of software engineering.

    The author's unique perspective and valuable insights make it a highly recommended read.

    It's a book that offers a lot of food for thought.

Deva Data · 2023-07-07
informative 3.50

The book offers a concise and engaging exploration of software engineering, providing valuable insights into the history of computing. However, some of the details may feel outdated to modern readers.

This book is a relatively short and easy read, offering a glimpse into the history of computing. It's packed with valuable insights that can still resonate with software engineers today. However, some of the incidental details might feel a bit outdated, as the book was written quite some time ago. It's a great resource for those interested in the evolution of software engineering, but readers should be prepared to sift through some dated information to get to the valuable nuggets of wisdom.

Quick quotes

    It is a relatively short, easy to read, book.

    It gives a glimpse into the history of computing.

    On the downside, much of the incidental detail is so far out of date, that it is quite hard to relate to.

Roman Mogylatov · Roman Mogylatov · 2019-09-10
intriguing 4.00

The book reveals intriguing stories of building IBM/360 & OS/360, with the author playing a key role as a project manager. It offers valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of large-scale software projects.

Roman Mogylatov's review focuses on the book's revealing stories about the development of IBM/360 & OS/360, where the author was a project manager. These personal anecdotes provide a unique perspective on the challenges and complexities of managing large-scale software projects. The reviewer appreciates the depth of insight and the practical lessons that can be drawn from these experiences. The book is seen as a valuable resource for understanding the history and evolution of software engineering.

Quick quotes

    This book reveals to us some pieces of story of building IBM/360 & OS/360.

    Mr. Brooks was playing a role of project manager for both of them.

    It offers valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of large-scale software projects.

Appears in Lists