Masters of Doom

How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture

David Kushner

Genre

Book Synopsis

"Masters of Doom" by David Kushner is a gripping non-fiction narrative that delves into the lives and careers of two childhood friends, John Carmack and John Romero, who went on to create some of the most influential and groundbreaking video games in the 1990s.

Kushner explores the origins of Carmack and Romero's passion for programming and gaming, tracing their paths as they develop their skills and eventually meet at a software company. Together, they embark on a journey to redefine the gaming industry, pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible.

As the co-founders of id Software, Carmack and Romero become pioneers in the field of first-person shooter games with the release of "Wolfenstein 3D" and the iconic "DOOM." The book highlights their innovative approaches to game design, their fierce rivalry with other developers, and the complexities of working in an ever-evolving industry.

Kushner shines a light on the intense personalities of Carmack and Romero, showcasing their drive for success, their clashes and creative differences, and the toll it takes on their friendship. Through interviews with industry insiders, the author provides a comprehensive account of the highs and lows faced by these two legendary figures.

"Masters of Doom" is a meticulously researched and engrossing exploration of the gaming industry, filled with captivating anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories. Kushner expertly captures the spirit of the 1990s gaming culture while offering a deeper understanding of the individuals who shaped this era. Whether you are a passionate gamer or simply interested in the history of technology and innovation, this book is a must-read.

Explore More Books

See All
Conspiracy
The Master Algorithm
The End of Power
The Sleep Revolution
Mathematician's Delight
Money: Master The Game
Wanting
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
Brave Enough
Howard Hughes
The Blank Swan
The Works
The Great Mental Models
Mycelium Running
Steal Like an Artist
Sunset at Blandings
A Walk in the Woods
A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories
The Vision of the Annointed
Not Fade Away
The Fabric of Civilization
Einstein's Dreams
As I Lay Dying
Evolving Ourselves
The Heart of Yoga
Medieval Technology and Social Change
The Upanishads
The Golden Trade of the Moors
Essays and Lectures
Secrets of Closing the Sale
Days of Rage
The Only Game In Town
The God That Failed
As A Man Thinketh
The Origins of Virtue
The Trap
Ponzi's Scheme
On Intelligence
Flow
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
Crossing the Chasm
Superforecasting
Why We Get Fat
Natural Born Heroes
Richard Feynman
One Billion Hungry
Think Like
Birth of a Theorem
The Startup Community Way
This Is Your Brain on Music
The Fifth Season
Good Economics For Hard Times
Public Opinion
Plentiful Energy
The Civil Rights Era
The Clash of the Cultures
Where Mountains Roar
Fallen Dragon
Diocletian and the Roman Recovery
Moonwalking with Einstein
Dirt to Soil
The Minefield Girl
QED
Debt
Paradigms
Powerful
Something Deeply Hidden
The Path to Love
Francis Crick
The Economics of Microfinance
Michael Jordan
The Tiger
No Applause - Just Throw Money
How To Lie With Statistics
Walking
Without Their Permission
Life Ascending
Future Forward
The Economic Consequences of the Peace
If At Birth You Don't Succeed
The Coddling of the American Mind
Beyond Entrepreneurship
The Underdog Founder
Rise of the Dungeon Master
Bargaining for Advantage
The Rosie Effect
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends
The Culture of Narcissism
The Most Powerful Idea In The World
Black Box Thinking
The Business Blockchain
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
How An Economy Grows and Why It Crashes
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
Boom
The Lights in the Tunnel
Stuff and Nonsense
Rubicon
Tomorrow's Table
Intellectuals