[![](https://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0983965544&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=geblbyjo-20)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0983965544/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0983965544&linkCode=as2&tag=geblbyjo-20)![](https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=geblbyjo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0983965544) Flash backs from the past! It's truly amazing to discover that software development from freshman to senior level as well as project management hasn't changed that much. [Kerry Nietz](https://www.amazon.com/Kerry-Nietz/e/B001K7TFGM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1?tag=0200-20 "Kerry Nietz") describes his memoir from his final year at college to his first job at Fox Software to 'an early retirement' at Microsoft. This title also brought [his other fictional novels](https://www.amazon.com/Kerry-Nietz/e/B001K7TFGM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1?tag=0200-20 "his other fictional novels") to my attention. Once again [here is the review](https://www.amazon.com/FoxTales-Behind-Scenes-Software-ebook/product-reviews/B005KUH4GI "Review on Amazon") I published on Amazon: > *Built to last!* > > *I have been around in software development for more than a decade now but honestly I have to admit it is only now that I took the opportunity to read about the history of my used to be primary programming language. In fact, I started with Visual FoxPro 6 back in 1999 and went only down to FoxPro for Windows 2.6 during migration projects - long after the stories described in this title. It is really interesting to see how they actually managed to create a great product with such a small team of developers.* > > *"Create the best Report Writer in the world, out of only sawdust, bubblegum, and dreams." - That's the best sentence I'm going to quote from this title in the future. An inspiration to achieve the impossible, only by taking small steps. Just begin the journey - one step after the next one. If you fall, stand up and continue to walk.* > > *Kerry takes the reader on an amazing trip through almost 4 years working at a small software company in Perrysburg, Ohio. That went from a another 'look-alike' of the mighty Ashton-Tate dBase to the leading force in database development, long before Microsoft Access (project name: Cirrus) was even finished. It survived Borland Paradox and even nowadays Visual FoxPro is still in daily use in thousands of companies world-wide. Actually, I'm glad that I had the chance to foster my programming knowledge with Visual FoxPro.* After his excellent work in software development, Kerry went for a second career as a writer. I'm looking forward to read his other titles soon: [![](https://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0982104987&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=geblbyjo-20)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982104987/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0982104987&linkCode=as2&tag=geblbyjo-20)![](https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=geblbyjo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982104987) [![](https://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0982598726&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=geblbyjo-20)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982598726/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0982598726&linkCode=as2&tag=geblbyjo-20)![](https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=geblbyjo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982598726) [![](https://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1935929380&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=geblbyjo-20)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935929380/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1935929380&linkCode=as2&tag=geblbyjo-20)![](https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=geblbyjo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1935929380) [![](https://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1935929925&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=geblbyjo-20)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935929925/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1935929925&linkCode=as2&tag=geblbyjo-20)![](https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=geblbyjo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1935929925)[![](https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1940163048&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=geblbyjo-20)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1940163048/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1940163048&linkCode=as2&tag=geblbyjo-20)![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=geblbyjo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1940163048) ## Updates Read my review about ['A Star Curiously Singing' by Kerry Nietz](xref:a-star-curiously-singing-by-kerry-nietz "'A Star Curiously Singing' by Kerry Nietz"). Image generated by Microsoft Designer using the following prompt: "an illustrated forest opening depicting a fox."