Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary

Linus Torvalds, David Diamond

Harper Collins, Jun 4, 2002 - Biography & Autobiography - 288 pages

Once upon a time Linus Torvalds was a skinny unknown, just another nerdy Helsinki techie who had been fooling around with computers since childhood. Then he wrote a groundbreaking operating system and distributed it via the Internet -- for free. Today Torvalds is an international folk hero. And his creation LINUX is used by over 12 million people as well as by companies such as IBM.

Now, in a narrative that zips along with the speed of e-mail, Torvalds gives a history of his renegade software while candidly revealing the quirky mind of a genius. The result is an engrossing portrayal of a man with a revolutionary vision, who challenges our values and may change our world.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - tyroeternal - LibraryThing

It was fun reading about the history of Linux from the point of view of its creator. Torvalds gives the impression of being an average person who inadvertently walked into fame. His apathetic approach ...

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - dvf1976 - LibraryThing

I read this 250 page book in a day. Linus seems like a very accessible guy. Although he says that enjoys money and isn't a "monk", it seems weird that he's so careful about circumstances that could ...

About the author

Linus Torvalds was born in Finland. He graduated from the University of Helsinki and lives with his wife, the six-time karate champion of Finland, and his children. Linus currently works as a programmer on several projects for Transmeta.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary
• Authors: Linus Torvalds, David Diamond
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: Harper Collins, 2002
• ISBN: 0066620732, 9780066620732
• Length: 288 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Business; Biography & Autobiography / General; Business & Economics / General