Fantastic book. One of the things that is rough about computer science academia is usually it's either quickly obsolete, or too theoretical to be useful. In a

Fantastic book. One of the things that is rough about computer science academia is usually it's either quickly obsolete, or too theoretical to be useful. In a sense they're confused about being and producing programmers or mathematicians. Brooks is the rare exception. His core concept that adding programmers increases communications which slows you down combines sociology with engineering. It is just as relevant today as when he first wrote it. As mrchess states, you can read it an essay a day to digest it. Or better yet, reread every few years. The material doesn't chance, but with experience, one learns to appreciate him even more.