Nightwork, updated edition: A History of Hacks and Pranks at MIT (Mit Press)

Two years ago at the age of eight my son announce that he wanted to attend MIT when he grows up. So to foster that goal I thought a book on pranks at MIT would amuse the mind of a 10-year-old. It arrived yesterday and I have flip through it and I believe it’s going to be a homerun.

"Nightwork" is a compilation of some of the best hacks and pranks perpetrated by MIT students over the years, and besides being impressed by their ingenuity and impudence, I also thought they were uproariously funny. If you like hearing your friends and acquaintances tell stories about clever and outrageous (but harmless) pranks, you will love this book. It includes pictures, descriptions, as much background as the authors were able to gather, and even some letters written by various notable MIT alumni... including one of their most famous- or infamous- hackers. This was well worth every penny I spent.

MIT students over the years have done a number of incredible stunts, including putting a police car with lights flashing on top of the Great Dome and "borrowing" an iconic cannon from Caltech. The book is an extensive history of the background of MIT "hacks" that highlights many of the more remarkable ones. The detailed narrative may not be engrossing for everyone, but readers will be impressed with ingenuity of these budding engineers and scientists.

Gift

Arrived quickly, cheaper than the official MIT store, and should be well recieved by the recipients, no qualms with process or price. Would recommend as a souvenir for family of MIT students.

I appreciated reading about the legacy of MIT students.

Hilarious pranks orchestrated by some of the best minds in America.

I understand now why this was not any easy book to get -- it's just okay. So geeks are capable of pranks. So are other college students and faculty. Moderately interesting to read once.

A high-context book where the pranks begin on the cover page.. The Amazon description says it is by TF Peterson. Well the cover says it is by 'Institute Historian T F Peterson'. This can be abbreviated to IHTFP, an acronym which stands for many things in MIT and not all will pass the editor's scrutiny for propriety. Many self-respective techies know that hacking is not a derogatory term in the trade, since its origins were not of malicious intent. The book introduces novices to MIT speak where a 'hack' is a practical joke with criteria such as nobody should find out about it, it should be removable with no permanent damages and so on. It chronicles witty pranks such as an MIT ball in the stadium during a Harvard game. Cambridge University in England has seen similar pranks but somehow hanging an umbrella on King's College Chapel pales in comparison with a police car on the MIT dome! Almost all of these pranks are preserved in the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass. The book gave me hope that there was a life beyond nerdiness in MIT and helped me decide to go to MIT. I hope it will put a few smiles your way. Highly recommended but DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME (or in your University).. 4 Stars because it may not have universal appeal.