A Female Genius

James Essinger

Why I looked at this book

Ada Lovelace is well known as an early version of a computer programmer, writing code for Charles Babbages analytical engine. But what did she actually do, and how much is what she wrote related to today's computer programs? I'm hoping to find out from this book. I'm also interested in how Ada saw computing developing in the future - how much did she foresee today's computer age?

First impressions

The sample is short, but includes the introduction where Essinger explains that he was prompted to write this book to respond to unjust claims that Ada wasn't the genius she's made out to be. It also includes the first chapter, describing the marriage of Byron and Annabella Milbanke, the birth of their daughter Ada, and how Annabella fled with Ada several weeks later. The book seems very readable and I'm looking forward to the rest of it.