The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technology and Innovation
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Paperback • £34.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4710
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780132119160
  • Publisher: Pearson Education
  • Published: 1995-08-02
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Mythical Man-Month is a seminal work on software project management that has stood the test of time. Drawing from Fred Brooks' experience as project manager for IBM's System/360 and OS/360, the book provides a blend of software engineering facts and thought-provoking opinions. It explores the challenges of managing large programming projects, emphasizing the importance of conceptual integrity and the difficulties of achieving unity in complex systems. The book includes additional chapters that revisit Brooks' original ideas, offering new thoughts and advice. It features a condensation of the original propositions, Brooks' reflections on these ideas decades later, a reprint of his classic 1986 paper 'No Silver Bullet,' and his updated thoughts on the assertion that 'There will be no silver bullet within ten years.' These additions make the book a valuable resource for both new and familiar readers.

Reviews
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.

Tech Tinkering · 2009-01-26
timeless 4.50

The book is a timeless resource that offers both historical value and relevant insights for modern software engineering. It's a worthwhile read for anyone in the field.

This work is a classic that stands the test of time, offering both retro value and insights that are still relevant today. The author's experiences and observations provide a unique perspective on the challenges of managing large software projects. It's a book that every software engineer should consider reading, as it offers timeless advice and a historical context that can enrich one's understanding of the field.

Quick quotes

    This work is well worth reading, whether for its retro value or for the insights that it can still offer today.

    The book delves into the complexities and challenges of managing large software projects.

    It's a book that every software engineer should consider reading.

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