---
product_id: 19874111
title: "The Universal Machine: From the Dawn of Computing to Digital Consciousness"
brand: "copernicus"
price: "$87"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 7
category: "Book"
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/19874111-the-universal-machine-from-the-dawn-of-computing-to-digital
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# The Universal Machine: From the Dawn of Computing to Digital Consciousness

**Brand:** copernicus
**Price:** $87
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Universal Machine: From the Dawn of Computing to Digital Consciousness by copernicus
- **How much does it cost?** $87 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/19874111-the-universal-machine-from-the-dawn-of-computing-to-digital)

## Best For

- copernicus enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted copernicus brand quality
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## Description

Full description not available

## Images

![The Universal Machine: From the Dawn of Computing to Digital Consciousness - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41czDpiR-uL.jpg)
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![The Universal Machine: From the Dawn of Computing to Digital Consciousness - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31tOCXYg7rL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Passes the Zuse Test...
  

*by T***. on Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2013*

Any book on computing history that misses Zuse-- the 1938 inventor of Tron, the Matrix, The 13th Floor, Avatar... and many other world views that posit the universe running inside a big computer-- hasn't done it's homework.Although the two page (80-82) summary on Zuse isn't long, it is accurate and detailed. I mean, who else would try to build a 30,000 part computer in a barn in Nazi occupied Germany? Not many figured out the genius of this man, from computing to cellular automata, but Siemens obviously did (they bought him out before he passed on in 1995).Does anyone know how this fine book can be under $5 with free Prime shipping at nearly 400 packed pages? I know, I've got to be dreaming-- somebody unplug the link.Wow, even at text prices it's worth it, here, it's a steal! It is "Dover" priced yet contains CURRENT information-- the "history" goes back to the Middle Ages, but brings us right up to everything from dedicated embedded to universal multis and beyond. NOT a dry read-- fun, carries the reader along, and if you've got a few years behind you as I do, will elicit a smile at where we've been as well as where we're going. After all, there really was no web in 1985, so many people alive today saw nearly the entire evolution of the modern computer age!In that context, it's great to see the "seeds" going way back, as well as Tron and the Matrix. Zuse's first machine was perfect and correct, but didn't work because the milling and machining sciences were not developed enough for the precision required. (We know this because it WAS later built just to see, and worked!). Like the guy who wrote "I, Pencil" (no, not robot) to show that it takes thousands of brilliant technologies to make a pencil, we take a LOT for granted in what we see today in computing. This awesome book adds back the wonder.Highly recommended even as a plane trip or late night substitute for your favorite novelist. Some of the info really is eye opening, as in, "Did you know that..." with your friends on Facebook.Library Picks reviews only for the benefit of Amazon shoppers and has nothing to do with Amazon, the authors, manufacturers or publishers of the items we review. We always buy the items we review for the sake of objectivity, and although we search for gems, are not shy about trashing an item if it's a waste of time or money for Amazon shoppers. If the reviewer identifies herself, her job or her field, it is only as a point of reference to help you gauge the background and any biases.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Interesting account of history of computing but patchy and lacks a coherent line
  

*by J***K on Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2013*

Covers a lot of territory and helpful in that respect but the book lacks a coherent line and hence is patchy. Quite a lot of personal thoughts which perhaps should have had less exposure. Good to set record straight on Turing and UK invention of programmed computers though. It is worth reading as it is not expensive. Also avoids details of maths which tend to make such books hard for most people.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Not written for the IT professional
  

*by E***A on Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2013*

I admit upfront I have a bias. As a business software engineer who started using computers in 1970 as an engineering student I can't imagine writing a book about computers that omits Bell Laboratories, Unix, and C. The author seems to write for those fascinated by iPods and Facebook. He doesn't talk about NFS or Sun Microsystems, databases like Oracle or Sybase, Intelligent Database Machines like the Britton-Lee and their widespread use in communications networks. Just an upfront caution. This book is written for the end-user, the consumer, not the IT professional. Sorry, but I lost interest about halfway through the book when the author spent so much time talking about the lives of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. I flipped through the rest of the pages about Facebook, Myspace, and Google.

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*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-02-20*