📖 Overview
David A. Price is an American author and journalist known for writing narrative nonfiction books focused on technology, science, and history. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, and he holds degrees from Harvard University and Cambridge University.
His 2008 book "The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company" provided a comprehensive history of Pixar Animation Studios, documenting its evolution from a computer graphics division at Lucasfilm to its emergence as a major force in entertainment. The book received recognition for its detailed reporting on Pixar's technical innovations and corporate development.
Price's historical work "Love and Hate in Jamestown: John Smith, Pocahontas, and the Heart of a New Nation" (2003) offered a fresh examination of the Jamestown colony's early years. His research challenged various myths surrounding the Pocahontas narrative while providing context about English-Native American relations in colonial Virginia.
In his 2022 book "Geniuses at War: Bletchley Park, Colossus, and the Dawn of the Digital Age," Price explored the creation of the world's first electronic computer during World War II. This work detailed the critical role of British codebreakers in developing early computing technology to crack Nazi encryption.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently note Price's thorough research and ability to make complex topics accessible. His clear writing style and attention to historical detail receive frequent mentions in reviews.
What readers liked:
- Balance of technical detail with engaging narratives
- Debunking of common misconceptions in "Love and Hate in Jamestown"
- Behind-the-scenes revelations in "The Pixar Touch"
- Clarity in explaining technical concepts in "Geniuses at War"
What readers disliked:
- Some found "The Pixar Touch" lacking emotional depth
- Occasional complaints about dry passages in historical sections
- A few readers wanted more personal stories of key figures
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Love and Hate in Jamestown: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings)
- The Pixar Touch: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings)
- Geniuses at War: 4.1/5 (400+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Love and Hate in Jamestown: 4.5/5
- The Pixar Touch: 4.4/5
- Geniuses at War: 4.4/5
📚 Books by David A. Price
Love and Hate in Jamestown: John Smith, Pocahontas, and the Heart of a New Nation (2003)
A historical account of the Jamestown colony's early years, examining the relationships between English settlers and Native Americans through primary source documents.
The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company (2008) A history of Pixar Animation Studios from its origins in Lucasfilm through its acquisition by Disney, covering both technical innovations and business developments.
GUTS: The True Stories Behind Halo and Xbox (2023) An account of Microsoft's entry into the video game console market and the development of the Halo franchise, based on interviews with key participants.
The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company (2008) A history of Pixar Animation Studios from its origins in Lucasfilm through its acquisition by Disney, covering both technical innovations and business developments.
GUTS: The True Stories Behind Halo and Xbox (2023) An account of Microsoft's entry into the video game console market and the development of the Halo franchise, based on interviews with key participants.
👥 Similar authors
Walter Isaacson writes biographies focused on technology pioneers and innovators, with works on Steve Jobs and other Silicon Valley figures. His research-driven approach and focus on the intersection of technology and business mirrors Price's style in covering similar territory.
Charles C. Mann examines how technological and scientific advances shaped human civilization through books like 1491 and 1493. His work combines historical research with scientific analysis in a way that parallels Price's examination of innovation and society.
James Gleick explores the development of information technology and scientific concepts through works like The Information and Chaos. His focus on how technological breakthroughs transform society aligns with Price's interests in innovation history.
Nick Bilton investigates modern technology companies and their founders through books like Hatching Twitter and American Kingpin. His coverage of Silicon Valley and tech entrepreneurship provides similar insights to Price's examination of innovation culture.
Steven Johnson traces the history of scientific discoveries and technological developments in books like How We Got to Now and Where Good Ideas Come From. His analysis of innovation patterns and technological progress shares common ground with Price's historical examination of tech pioneers.
Charles C. Mann examines how technological and scientific advances shaped human civilization through books like 1491 and 1493. His work combines historical research with scientific analysis in a way that parallels Price's examination of innovation and society.
James Gleick explores the development of information technology and scientific concepts through works like The Information and Chaos. His focus on how technological breakthroughs transform society aligns with Price's interests in innovation history.
Nick Bilton investigates modern technology companies and their founders through books like Hatching Twitter and American Kingpin. His coverage of Silicon Valley and tech entrepreneurship provides similar insights to Price's examination of innovation culture.
Steven Johnson traces the history of scientific discoveries and technological developments in books like How We Got to Now and Where Good Ideas Come From. His analysis of innovation patterns and technological progress shares common ground with Price's historical examination of tech pioneers.