“The Macintosh is more than a computer, it’s a way of life. This book is about what it is to be a Macintosh person. It gives insight into the greatest love and loyalties of any product of our era.”
—Steve Wozniak, Apple Co-founder

“If you want to know what’s happening in the Apple underground, talk to Leander Kahney.”
—Eric Hellweg, CNN Columnist

About the Book

There is no product on the planet that enjoys the devotion of a Macintosh computer. Famously dedicated to their machines, many Mac fans eat, sleep, and breathe Macintosh. The Cult of Mac is the first book about Macintosh culture, arguably the largest distinct subculture in computing.

Written by Wired News managing editor Leander Kahney, The Cult of Mac is an in-depth look at Mac users and their unique, creative, and often very funny culture. Like fans of a football team or a rock group, Macintosh fans have their own customs, with clearly defined obsessions, rites and passages. From people who get Mac tattoos and haircuts, to those who furnish their apartments with empty Mac boxes, this book details Mac fandom in all of its forms.

The paperback edition includes an all-new chapter about the iPod, updates throughout, and new photos that reflect current Apple technology.

Purchase

Cult of Mac is available from these fine booksellers.

Download the Entire Book

Click here to download Chapter 8; or download the entire book using Bittorrent.

Reviews

“This unique coffee table book is not only a must for any Mac fan, it also makes fascinating reading for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and popular culture, or discovering the unique people who live their lives by Apple’s ‘Think Different motto.” — Corporate Media News and AEC Newsroom, Sept. 9, 2004

“This account of Macintosh fanaticism will strike a chord with anyone who’s ardently defended (or cursed) an operating system… sure to end up on Quadra-based coffee tables everywhere.” — Wired Magazine, October 2004

“Who knew there were so many Mac tattoos out there?” — Village Voice, Oct. 21, 2004 (Full review)

“I’m certainly glad this book came out before Christmas. Now I know what I am going to give a couple of my fellow Macaddicts.” — Slashdot, Oct. 29, 2004 (Full review)

“To some extent, Newton loyalty fits into the broader context of Apple loyalty, which is the subject of a new book, ‘The Cult of Mac,’ by Leander Kahney.” — New York Times, Oct. 31, 2004 (Read article)

Mr. Kahney’s informal history of the Mac is interspersed with trivia and delightful details, and intriguing photos, and is wrapped up in an entertaining style. This is a coffee table book that only a geek might love — but it’s also one lots of people will enjoy reading.” — Washington Times, Nov. 23, 2004 (Read article)

5/5 Rating: “This is a wonderful book to look at and read. Many of the stories are captivating, and made me want to look up more information online of the people he writes about in the book… Written with detail in mind, The Cult of Mac is a large and ambitious project that was put together with loving care by the author.” — MyMac.com, December 2004 (Full review)

Hot Review: “A fun book, one that any self-respecting Mac addict will delight in receiving as a present, and displaying on the coffee table. That is, if they can keep wiping the drool off the pages.”  — MacNN, December 2004 (Full review)