Book Review of
Source Code

Lynn's Review

Source Code My Beginning by Bill Gates is Bill Gates’ memoir that was published in 2025.

If someone asked me why I read Bill Gates’ memoir, my answer would be because I find people fascinating. There is so much you can learn by reading about other people’s lives. 

When I saw that Bill Gates had written a memoir, I knew that I wanted to read it. I have read Steve Jobs’ biography and Elon Musk’s biography, so a book about another tech genius of my generation seemed like a natural read. 

All three of those people are controversial. They have all done things that I disagree with, but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn from them. 

They are fascinating individuals who have accomplished things that have changed our lives in more ways than we probably realized. 

That is the approach I took when I read Bill Gates’ memoir. 

I found his story fascinating. He grew up in Washington state in a family that gave him access to things that many other people didn’t have.

It was the time when computers were just starting to take off, and his school had access to things that most other schools of the time did not have. 

He connected with friends who loved computers and challenged him. He had parents who gave him freedom to be himself.

But at the same time, he was different. He saw life differently and often did not fit in. He was a brilliant, often awkward kid who would rather spend time reading, learning, or programming computers than doing the typical fun activities kids usually enjoy. 

As he grew older and in the early days of Microsoft, he developed a work ethic that many people lack. He combined his love of computers and programming with a drive for work and perfection, which not only changed his life but all of ours. 

Where would we be without Microsoft and the products it developed in the early days of computers? 

I learned so much about the early days of computers and computer programming by reading this book. It made me very thankful for the computer I am currently typing on and the knowledge that made it possible. 

Source Code was the perfect follow-up to reading the book about Steve Jobs because it covers so much of the same period. 

This book covers Bill Gates’ childhood through the early days of Microsoft. He is planning a second volume to the book that will cover Microsoft and his adult years. 

This book is a memoir, or what could also be called an autobiography. I love memoirs, but memoirs tend to put the person writing the story in a more positive light. 

A biography often gives you a better picture of a person. In both the Steve Jobs and Elon Musk biographies, the author shared the bad side of things. Yes, they talked about them in a positive way, but biographies don’t shy away from the hard things too. 

A memoir or autobiography tends to be less balanced. That is exactly how I felt reading Bill Gates’ book. I think he put a positive spin on himself. 

Yes, his story is fascinating, but this book shared more great things about Bill Gates than a biography would have. 

I did enjoy it enough that I will read volume two when it comes out. However, I will read it knowing that Bill Gates is sharing his own story. 

If you enjoy biographies and memoirs about famous people, you will probably enjoy this one.