The thrilling adventures of Lovelace and Babbage

The thrilling adventures of Lovelace and Babbage

2015 • 315 pages

Ratings13

Average rating4

15

I really wanted to like this book. Despite its subtitle (“the (mostly) true story of the first computer”), this graphic novel is better described as “A (mostly) true romp through Victorian mathematicians.” Which isn't a bad thing! We get a nice little primer on Babbage and Lovelace's Analytical/Difference Engines, and a bunch of whimsical one-offs with historical figures that describe various mathematical functions that I still couldn't explain to you but at least now have an understanding of. Then again, in terms of actual Lovelace and Babbage things ... well, the author's notes about the relatively little time the two had to work on things, Lovelace's illness/untimely death and the general lack of publication by the two can explain the paucity of material, but then maybe don't center your book around them?

January 9, 2016Report this review