locust press


Praise for "Learn, Earn & Return"

Many technical ideas and pioneering staff members of the Whirlwind project in the MIT Digital Computer Laboratory moved out to launch the first phase of the computer revolution; Digital Equipment Corporation was founded during its first several decades and was the most successful of these.

-- Jay Forrester, Professor Emeritus, MIT Sloan School and former Director of Digital Equipment Corporation

Harlan Anderson has written a clear account of his interesting, productive, and caring life that I recommend because of his role as an industry pioneer.  While a personally enjoyable story because of our backgrounds and friendship, he posits his record covering an 80-year, four generation period that we may be repeating.  Andy provides additional insight about the rough demise of Digital Equipment Corp., once the second largest computer company he co-founded with Ken Olsen.  Andy was critical for Digital's first decade including just starting into its notion of OEM as a distribution and application channel.  A reader might ask "Without him, who indeed served as a catalyst, would there have been Digital?"  Andy is a pioneer of the computer industry.

-- Gordon Bell, Principal Researcher, Microsoft Corporation
Harlan Anderson's life is a wonderful American story and a great example for all of us, particularly our youth, to think about as we seek to achieve for our families and contribute to our communities.  Growing up in modest circumstances during the Depression, Harlan pulled himself up to be a major participant in the computer revolution, and a very significant donor and volunteer to many non-profit organizations throughout a very distinguished career.

-- Christopher Shays, longtime congressman from Connecticut
Harlan Anderson's memoir covers a vital time to the growth of the United States from a largely agricultural nation to a leader in world communications.  As a co-founder of the second largest computer company in the world, after which he became a venture capital participant and finally a civic-minded citizen, Anderson relates a story that will be of interest to all audiences of American history.

-- Leo Beranek, Former President, The American Academy of Arts and Sciences
In his preface, Harlan Anderson writes that he has "no disillusions that this memoir will have any great interest for anyone beyond his grandchildren and decendants."  He is mistaken.  Anderson has given a remarkable walk through most of the 20th century.  It was an environment where someone with Anderson's intelligence, ambitions, and moral compass could "Learn, Earn & Return" in many ways that will permit similarly talented individuals of the 21st century to do likewise.  There are lessons here for us all.

-- William R. Schowalter, Former Dean, College of Engineering, University of Illinois
As Harlan Anderson explains in this fascinating memoir, he was hired in 1966 by Henry Luce's publishing empire to help it leapfrog into the electronic age.  Having known Harlan for over 40 years, I thought I knew him pretty well.  Having now read this memoir, I'm amazed at how little I did know about this amazing man's career.  With this memoir, he is generously sharing his personal history with family, friends, and many others who will draw on inspiration from his life.

-- Roy Rowan, Author/Journalist