Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
September 1, 2002/in Non Fiction 10-14 Middle/Secondary /by Richard Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 136 September 2002
Reviewer: Sue Unstead
ISBN: 978-0750238830
Price: £5.99
Publisher: Wayland
Genre: Non Fiction
Age Range: 10-14 Middle/Secondary
Length: 48pp
Buy the Book

Bill Gates: Computer Legend

Author: Sara Barton-Wood

A useful addition to Wayland’s ‘Famous Lives’ series, this pictorial biography charts the inexorable rise of computer whizz-kid Bill Gates, whose programming skills and business acumen enabled him to become head of a multi-billion dollar business. Much of the factual information can be found on Microsoft’s own website, but Barton-Wood here fleshes out the story with details of Gates’ upbringing and his extraordinary sense of timing in seizing the moment and dropping everything, including a place at Harvard, to develop a program that was to revolutionise computer usage forever. Plenty of first-hand quotes from Gates and his contemporaries enliven the story, while photographs show Gates’ own transformation from geeky bespectacled nerd to golfing chum of ex-presidents. Much is made of Gates’ role as benefactor on a grand scale to education and health programmes in the third world. Less is made of the hostility that Microsoft has attracted through its dominance of the software market. A useful glossary and date chart are included as well as websites and other sources of information.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Richard Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Richard Hill2002-09-01 15:23:552023-10-03 15:27:18Bill Gates: Computer Legend

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

Download BfK Issue Bfk 272 May 2025
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Choice and reading relevant to their interests = reading for pleasure

June 11, 2025

Ross Montgomery wins the 2025 FCBG Children’s Book Award

June 7, 2025

Michael Rosen and Emily Gravett IBBY UK nominations for Hans Christian Andersen Awards 2026

June 4, 2025

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2025 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
Otto and the Flying Twins Degas and the Dance: The Painter and the Petits Rats, Perfecting Their Art
Scroll to top