If you've read my review of Hackers, you know that I am a fan of Steven Levy's writing. This book is the most on-target of the three Steven Levy books that I have read.
He takes the reader on an interesting ride inside Apple's product design process, through the halting, steps that lead (eventually) to the iPod. Documenting the well-known precedents, the early transistor radios that allowed kids to tune into the young, energetic rock-and-roll, anywhere they went, and the Sony Walkman that redefined personal music in the 80's. But also touching on important Pioneers like Andreas Pavel's "Stereobelt", and DEC's PJB.
Other chapters cover the rise of the iPod from its obscure beginnings to it's modern iTunes store ubiquity, the effect of the iPod on our daily commute, the MP3 craze, and the record industry's crazy reactions to even the most well-intentioned enterprises, and the sometimes irrational beliefs (such as the belief expressed in the chapter "Shuffle" that one's iPod "liked" some bands more than others) people sometimes hold about their beloved iPods.
I love my iPod, and I definitely love this book. Go buy, borrow or steal it now! Okay, you probably shouldn't steal it, but at least check it out at the library, it's a definite good read.
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