A number of books have been published that look back on the Acorn 8 and 32 bit era from a nostalgic viewpoint. Here are the ones that I’ve come across.
The Computers that Made Britain
Author: Tim Danton
Publisher: Raspberry Pi Press
Published: May 2021
Chapters on a series of 8bit, 16bit an 32bit machines that were popular in the UK in the 80s and 90s. Most significantly, has chapters on the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron and Archimedes. Available as printed book, but also as a free PDF.
Link: Raspberry Pi
Acorn – A World in Pixels
Publisher: Idesine
Published: 2020
This is a 476-page full colour book devoted to pretty much every Electron and BBC Micro game every published. Includes interviews with many programmers, publishers and other notable faces from the 80s.
Link: Idesine
The Nostalgia Nerd’s guide to Retro Tech: Computers, Consoles & Games
Author: Peter Leigh
Publisher: Ilex Press
Published: November 2018
Colourful book packed with computers and consoles of the 80s and 90s. Includes pages on the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron and Archimedes.
Link: Amazon
Electronic Dreams: How 1980s Britain Learned to Love the Computer
Author: Tom Lean
Publisher: Bloomsbury Sigma
Published: February 2016
In this book, Tom Lean tells the story of how computers invaded British homes for the first time. Includes plenty of references to BBC Micros, Elite etc.
Link: Amazon
Now the Chips Are Down: The BBC Micro
Author: Alison Gazzard
Publisher: The MIT Press
Published: February 2016
Link: The MIT Press
Britsoft: An Oral History
Author: Alex Wiltshire
Publisher: Read-Only Memory
Published: October 2015
Consists mostly of transcripts with some of the key games developers of the 70s, 80s and 90s, with some colour and B&W photos. Features plenty of discussion about the BBC Micro from the likes of David Braben and Geoff Crammond.
Link: Read-Only Memory
The Story of US Gold: A very American British software house
Authors: Chris Wilkins & Roger M. Kean
Publisher: Fusio Retro Books
Published: July 2015
The story of the US Gold software house who published for many platforms including the BBC Micro.
Link: Fusion Retro Books
Ocean: This History
Authors: Chris Wilkins & Roger M. Kean
Publisher: Fusion Retro Books
Published: December 2013
The story of Ocean Software, who published for most platforms in the 80s, including Acorn. The book is relatively light on Acorn references, but will still trigger memories!
Link: Fusion Retro Books
Digital Retro: The Evolution and Design of the Personal Computer
Author: Gordon Laing
Publisher: ILEX
Published: October 2004
Computers from 1975 to 1988, year by year. Includes Atom, Electron, BBC and Archimedes.
Link: Amazon
The 8-BIT Book 1981 To 199X
Author: Jerry Ellis
Publisher: Hiive Books
Published: 2009
Features lots of BBC Mico games.
Link: Fusion Retro Books
Home Computers: 100 Icons that Defined a Digital Generation
Author: Alex Wiltshire
Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd
Published: 2020
Includes pages on the BBC, Electron, Archimedes, Risc PC, as well as many other non-Acorn brands.
Link: Amazon