Augarten, Stan. Bit By Bit: an illustrated history of computers.
Ticknor & Fields: 1984.
Surprisingly good and well researched history with many valuable illustrations.

Basalla, George. The Evolution of Technology.
Cambridge University Press: 1988. 248 pages.
This is not about computers, per se, but offers good insights into the development of technology.

Bashe, Johnson, Palmer, and Pugh. IBM’s Early Computers.
MIT Press: 1986. 400+ pages.
Early history (up to 1964).

Campbell-Kelly, Martin and Aspray, William. Computer: a history of the information machine. BasicBooks: 1996. 300 pages.
General history of the computer.

Ceruzzi, Paul E. A History of Modern Computing. MIT press: 1998. 312 pages.
General history of the computer.

Levy, Steven. Hackers: heroes of the computer revolution.
Anchor Press/Doubleday: 1984. 458 pages.
Covers the crucial MIT period of the early 60s and also the later Homebrew period.

Moreau, R. The Computer Comes of Age. MIT Press: 1984. 200 pages.
General history of the computer. Early history (up to 1964).

Pugh, Emerson. Memories That Shaped An Industry: decisions leading to IBM system/360. MIT Press: 1984. 323 pages.
Early history (up to 1964). Memories is about the development of computer memory.

Reid, T.R. The Chip: how two Americans invented the microchip and launched a revolution. Random House Trade Paperbacks: 2001. 309 pages.
A good account of the development of the integrated circuit, with some technical explanation.

Rifkin, Glenn. The Ultimate Entrepreneur: the story of Ken Olsen and Digital Equipment Corporation. Contemporary Books: 1988. 332 pages.

Appleby, Doris. Programming Languages, Paradigm and Practice. 1991. 430 pages.

Aspray, William (ed.). Computing Before Computers.
Iowa State University Press: 1990. 266 pages.
Interesting in that it shows that the desire for computer-like machines goes back very far.

Charlton and Leng. Principles of Computer Organization. 228 pages.

Harel, David. The Science of Computing: exploring the nature and power of algorithms. 320 pages.

Intel marketing communications. The 8080/8085 Microprocessor Book.
Very technical, of course, but useful if one has a specific question about the 8080 processor.

Kohanski, Daniel. Moths In the Machine: the powers and perils of programming. 1998. 204 pages.
A general introduction to computing concepts written for nontechnical readers. Makes complex ideas understandable and interesting.

Lohr, Steve. Go To. Basic Books: 2001. 222 pages.
Another good general introduction to computing concepts written for nontechnical readers.

Nagin and Ledgard. Basic With Style: programming proverbs.
Hayden Book Co.: 1978. 132 pages.

Wang, Wallace. Beginning Programming For Dummies.
IDG Books: 1999. 384 pages.

White, Ron. How Computers Work. Que: 1998. 292 pages.
Illustrations of computer parts and processes, attempting to make it all clear to the uninitiated.

Chposky, James and Leonsis, Ted. Blue Magic. Facts on File: 1988. 218 pages.

Freiberger, Paul. Fire In the Valley: the making of the personal computer.
McGraw-Hill: 2000. 463 pages.

Hiltzik, Michael. Dealers of Lightning: Xerox PARC and the dawn of the computer age. HarperBusiness: 1999. 448 pages.
Interesting account of the early years of Xerox PARC.

Levy, Steven. Insanely Great: the life and time of the Macintosh, the computer that changed everything. Viking: 1994. 292 pages.

Barr, Adam. Proudly Serving My Corporate Masters: what I learned in ten years as a Microsoft programmer. Writers Club Press: 2000. 348 pages.
A good insider’s look at the workings of Microsoft.

Brooks, Frederick P. The Mythical Man-Month: essays on software engineering. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.: 1995 (1975). 322 pages.
This rumination on developing IBM’s OS/360 is considered a classic in the field.

Kidder, Tracy. The Soul of a New Machine. Modern Library: 1997 (1981). 384 pages.
Engaging treatment of hardware and software development teams at work, these at Data General.

Bell, Trudy. Engineering Tomorrow: today's technology experts envision the next century. IEEE Press: 2000. 308 pages.
Engineers talk about the future. Interesting quotes from Vinton Cerf, Alan Kay, Gordon Moore, Jack Kilby, and Ray Kurzweil.

De Bono, Edward. Lateral Thinking. Harper & Row: 1970. 300 pages.

Roslansky, John D. (ed.). Creativity; a discussion at the Nobel Conference organized by Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, 1970. North-Holland: 1970. 90 pages.
Thoughts by Jacob Bronowski and others on the nature of creativity.

Rozak, Theodore. The Cult of Information. 1986. 220 pages.

Desk Set
Spencer Tracy is in charge of computerizing a TV network’s research department, but the researchers have no intention of losing their jobs to a machine. Comedy 1957

War Games
Would you like to play a game? Matthew Broderick plays a young computer wiz who hacks into a “new game” and almost starts World War III. Sci-Fi/Drama 1983

Tron
A hacker is abducted into the computer world he created and forced by the controlling program to participate in games. He needs the help of less powerful, but very heroic, programs to get out. Action/Sci-Fi 1982

The Net
Sandra Bullock works and lives by the computer. When her identity is stolen, she finds herself stuck in a web of computer espionage. Action/Thriller 1995

Hackers
A young hacker is caught distributing a computer virus, and is ordered by the court not to use a computer until his 18th birthday. How can he and his friends use their skills to stop a much more dangerous virus, without being caught by the Secret Service or the virus’ evil creator? Action/Sci-Fi 1995

Triumph of the Nerds
A 3-hour documentary featuring the men and women responsible for the growth of the PC. A very lively tale of strong personalities with similar goals, but who don’t always agree on how to get there. Documentary 1996

Pirates of Silicon Valley
A lightly amusing history follows two now-famous men as they create Microsoft and Apple. Drama 1999

2001: A Space Odyssey
The relationship between man, computer, technology and intelligence becomes the focus of this classic film. Man discovers a mysterious artifact on Jupiter and, with the assistance of intelligent computer HAL, sets off to study it. What he discovers, and re–discovers, is a connection that goes back to the dawn of time. Adventure/Sci-Fi 1968

Robo Cop series
Peter Weller is mortally injured in the line of duty, but is brought back to service as a cyborg. However this machine isn’t all computer; his human memories begin to return and with them, a purpose. Action 1987

Terminator series
The Terminator is a cyborg who has come from the future to kill Linda Hamilton before she gives birth to the future leader of the anti–machine insurgence. A soldier has also come from the future—to stop the Terminator. Action 1984

Sneakers
When the CIA tricks a group of security experts into doing a bit of their dirty work for them, the group must use their expert knowledge of computers, cryptography and espionage to uncover the plan and foil the bad guys. Action/Comedy/Crime 1992

West World
Vacationing in a completely computerized dude ranch where robots cater to your every need seems like a fantasy. Until—you guessed it—something goes horribly wrong and the robot gun-slingers decide there ain’t room enough for the both of you. Sci-Fi/Thriller/Western 1973

Short Circuit
Robot Number 5, one of a series created by the military, is struck by lightening and becomes sentient. Number 5 decides he likes being alive, and needs the help of his new friends to avoid being reprogrammed. Comedy/Sci-Fi 1986