The New Cool
 

THE NEW COOL: A Visionary Teacher, His FIRST Robotics Team, and the Ultimate Battle of Smarts

The astonishing story of a team of high school seniors and their remarkable mentor, who come together - not to play a sport or exercise their athletic prowess, but rather to build a machine that will battle in the most heated, sophisticated robotics contest in the world. The FIRST competition, sponsored by genius inventor Dean Kamen, is jump-starting American innovation for the next generation, and beyond.

Re: The New Cool
 

What team does Neil work with? Anyone know?

-Brando

Re: The New Cool
 

1717 I believe

Re: The New Cool
 

Neil does not directly work with a team. He and others followed a few teams during the 2009 season, and while mentioned in the book focuses on team 1717's season.

Re: The New Cool
 

I can't wait for the book.

No disrespect to the other teams, but 1717 is the true model of what FRC should be as it continues to expand.

Re: The New Cool
 

I read the excerpt on his website, this is dam cool. I definitely want this book.

Re: The New Cool
 

Wow! This looks like a great book! Its definitely on my Christmas list! :D

Re: The New Cool
 

Looks like an awesome book. Glad to see the potential for spreading FIRST as well. Can't wait to read it.

Re: The New Cool
 

Next Christmas?

Re: The New Cool
 

Haha. I guess it would have to be after seeing the release date. Maybe Einstein's Birthday! :p

Re: The New Cool
 

When will this be released?

Re: The New Cool
 

I'm definitely putting this on my Easter wish list.

Re: The New Cool
 

Definitely picking a copy up.

Re: The New Cool
 

As far as I could tell, there is no specific date. Just March 2011.

Re: The New Cool
 

Defiantly getting this to add to my set of Books that'll all be read to and from champs!

Re: The New Cool
 

All the sites provided in the Order Books section say that publication date is March 1st.
I'm definitely going to check this out. Looks like an awesome read.

Re: The New Cool
 

I read the free sample... Its really good/captured my interest. The beginning goes more in depth to the beginning of FIRST which is really cool to learn about.

Re: The New Cool
 

You can also pre-order the book from AndyMark at http://www.andymark.com/ProductDetai...ctCode=am-0840. On their product page it says a portion of the proceeds go to FIRST (not sure if it is just them or if all sales have that) and you can help support AndyMark.

Re: The New Cool
 

I have it preordered with Amazon can't wait to read this come March 1st (which is what Amazon has mentioned as the release date)
This is the link to Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030..._ya_os_product

Re: The New Cool
 

This is true. For each book sold through AndyMark, we are donating $5 to FIRST.

I am reading an early release of the book now, and it is very impressive.

Andy B.

Re: The New Cool
 

Even though I know the anser to this, I'm going to ask anyway:
can you post the text on CD so we have something to do besides over anaylize game hints over winter break?

Re: The New Cool
 

After reading the first chapter that they have on their website, I can say that this will definitely be the book of the year for me!

I think this book will do a lot of good for FIRST. I myself am already working to get it in our schools and local library book club schedule, which should spark some interest in the community and help spread the program!

Re: The New Cool
 

I just saw the little blurb of a review by Homer Hickam as well as Dean Kamen! For those of you who don't know, Homer Hickam is the author of Rocket Boys and the person whom the movie October Sky is based off of. One of my favorite movies of all time! very awesome to see the two reviews.

Re: The New Cool
 

R O C K E T B O Y S

O C T O B E R S K Y

Re: The New Cool
 

Never realized that before. Pretty cool.

Re: The New Cool
 

it's a very creative anagram...always inspires awe in my friends lol

Re: The New Cool
 

For some answers about THE NEW COOL, and my intentions with it, I started a new thread in the general forum: From the Author of The New Cool.

Thanks everyone for your early enthusiasm about my book.

Neal Bascomb

Re: The New Cool
 

After reading the except, I just pre-ordered the Kindle version - and can't wait to read it on March 1st! It will be a nice "distraction" between ship date and our week one competition! Thanks, Neal!

Steve

Re: The New Cool
 

I just ordered my kindle version. Can't wait.

Re: The New Cool
 

haha i see sales are picking up quite splendidly after this post :P

Re: The New Cool
 

Just finished a preview version of this, and I can say it's definitely a good read, even if you're not a FIRSTer. There's a compelling story there to pull you along, especially the chapters on the competitions towards the end. There's more than enough content there to interest students and mentors alike. At the very least, you get to see the inner workings and struggles of another FRC team, which I personally found an interesting sidelight on how my own team runs. If you're on a team or run a team, this is a 300+ page dose of new perspective.

Speaking as an experienced FIRSTer, you should understand that it's geared towards a more general audience. Neal's going to be explaining things you already know and covering a game that's already been played and "solved" by the FRC community. This can feel a little tedious if you already know what a gear ratio is, and you'll probably find yourself arguing with the book and the people in it as they make "obvious" mistakes. Just try to remember that back in 2009, you didn't know what you were doing with the game either. Give it a chance and it'll pull you in and keep you reading till the end.

Re: The New Cool
 

remember those coffee table books with pics of FRC robots? what happened to those?....

Re: The New Cool
 

Not published after 2007. And they're a completely different type of book than this one.

Re: The New Cool
 

I read the preview which is like the first chapter of the book and now i can't wait for it to come out! When reading it, it reminds me of how exciting competition is and of course the excitement when we are given the new game for the year.

Re: The New Cool
 

Ordering it from Amazon now!

Re: The New Cool
 

I pre-ordered it from AndyMark.

Re: The New Cool
 

Re: The New Cool
 

I can tell you first hand that this book is an excellent read. I read it last March (Neal is my uncle and I was given a draft of the book) and the one thing that really stood out to me was how honest the book was. It was able to capture the atmosphere of the build season, particularly the laborious CAD design sessions and the end of the season hussle, and it demonstrated the interesting dynamic between mentors and students. Regardless of my affiliation with the author, it is a great book and there were times during my read that brought me back to a prescise moment during my time as a high school student in FIRST robotics.

Re: The New Cool
 

I just ordered the book on Amazon, $15.91 plus $3.99 shipping. Can't wait to get it & read it. I hope to read some/most/all of it before I volunteer at the Connecticut Regional.

Re: The New Cool
 

I'm so excited to read this! Can someone tell me where I can read the part of it that's already been released? I would reeeeeaaaaally appreciate it! :D

Re: The New Cool
 

I placed my pre-order. Less then 2 weeks left.

Re: The New Cool
 

Amazon already shipped mine, and it's scheduled for delivery on the 2nd. Not bad for free shipping.

Re: The New Cool
 

Have to love pre ordering and amazon prime for the free shipping as I pre ordered forever ago and it show up in the mail office tomorrow. Can't wait for the package notification from the mail office to fell special and also that I can finally read it. I'm so excited

Re: The New Cool
 

Basically it's the story of 3 teams during build and competition season. These three teams, one being 1717 of which you guys know already, were followed by the author to tell the world of this "new cool."
I don't know too much about it and don't want to ruin the later chapters (since that's where 67 butts in) but I've preordered it and I'm excited to see this book in its final state and in my hands. =)
I like this new cool.

Re: The New Cool
 

Members of FRC Team 987 and 3009 just spent the morning with Dean. He was the keynote speaker kicking off an IBM sponsored convention here in Las Vegas and did an awesome job pitching FIRST to the 7,000 attendees...even got a standing ovation from them. After the opening event he signed copies of the New Cool. He signed well over a hundred copies in the short time our team demonstrated a practice version of this year's robot near his table and the line extended dozens deep when we were leaving. No doubt the "message" is going to be shared with a much bigger audience that just those of us in FIRST!

Re: The New Cool
 

I just ordered my copy. Soooo excited to get it. :D

Re: The New Cool
 

I reserved a copy from the library, but its on order and there are 8 people in front of me :(

Re: The New Cool
 

My Kindle version just arrived! ::rtm::

Too bad I have to work today. Maybe I'll get a chance to read it on the plane headed to our Week 1 event at GSR!

Re: The New Cool
 

My copy from Amazon arrived today. I ordered a hard copy because I intend to ask the mentors I've worked with over the years to sign it. Obviously an ongoing project...

Re: The New Cool
 

I had preordered my hard copy and it arrived on Tuesday from Amazon.

FIRST I would like to say this is the first leisure book I have read since being at college for a year and a half and it is nice and relaxing to do so.

Also this book, for what I have read, has been very well written and I can see it being a good read for those that do not know what FIRST is about but also makes a connection to those who have been involved with FIRST. What I like about this book even more is that it goes over the 2009 season which was also my senior year in high school and my last year of involvement as a student in FRC.

I have not wanted to set it down but I have had to to get some sleep and to read the other not so fun books for my classes.

If you haven't gotten it yet, GET IT! granted I don't know how it ends but if its at all like the beginning it will be a fantastic read.

Re: The New Cool
 

I must say I enjoyed the previews I read and the trailers available leading up to release. The Kindle copy looks good, can't wait to get started on mine. Unfortunately, I think all of these Robotics meetings will postpone that for a while.Of course, I'll end up starting and then won't put it down until I finish. Thank you FIRST and books for decreasing my remaining sleep time.

Happy Reading ::rtm::

Re: The New Cool
 

My ears are burning....and I won't get my copy until next week! :o

Re: The New Cool
 

Me too. Guess I'll have to watch webcasts this weekend...

Re: The New Cool
 

I've been reading it for the past few days.
Its really good (and I read lots and lots of books). If you get into it, you're feeling all the same emotions... or atleast my body responded. As the ship date nears, your head aches with stress. In the heat of eliminations, your heart beats harder and you get the butterfly-stomach feeling. Its intense-but wonderful. I know that I'm adding this to my list of Books That Are Always Good For A Reread.

Re: The New Cool
 

Mine arrived while I was away at the NJ regional, I'm about 1/3 into it, and it's a good read. Bascomb has a great way of telling the story without pandering to the reader.

I think I'm going to buy another copy for the town library.

Re: The New Cool
 

Mine just arrived today. I hope to start reading it tonight. I have been busy with mundane day-to-day things before I get to pick up the book.

Re: The New Cool
 

Recieved a copy as a present today, can't wait to start reading it :D

Re: The New Cool
 

Saturday I walked into Borders Books and was confronted with a stack of them on the new arrivals table....instant excitement and I immediately got a copy :) I'm halfway through and like others have said, the author perfectly captured the experiences of build season. The stress of ship date is...a little too vivid, lol.

I am sooo thrilled that it's written about a season that I remember. Think of it...in 20 years, showing the kids on the team I'll be mentoring and reminiscing about the good ole days....'Ah yes, I remember the regolith...we HATED the regolith...'

I'm going to loan my copy to my physics teacher, who's planning to start teaching a pre-engineering class in a few years [how come all the fun classes are starting up after I graduate?]. I think it could be a great thing to give to a potential or current sponsor, school administrator, congressperson, etc.

Thank you Mr. Bascomb for a GREAT read that really embodies the spirit of FIRST!

Re: The New Cool
 

Wow awesome book, can't wait to read it! ::rtm::

Re: The New Cool
 

I am amazed by this book.

Neal Bascomb has successfully captured the passion, frustration, pain, joy, excitement, inspiration, and thrill of the FIRST Robotics Competition.

Thanks to Neal and his crew for making this effort and creating this book. Thanks to teams 1717, 217, 395, and 67 for allowing for their stories to be told.

Also, I must say: Amir Abo-Shaeer, you are my hero.

Sincerely,
Andy Baker

Re: The New Cool
 

Cool book!!!

Re: The New Cool
 

Just got it, it was on order at the library.

It's a great book, but the way he portrays team spirit is a bit too much like a competitive, non-graciously-professional sport such as football.
I like his writing style though, it is very 'smooth.' I think the addition of the perspectives of the other teams (i.e. not 1717) needed to be either be increased or removed, because they stick out a lot. This is from a literature standpoint, I liked hearing about the other teams a lot.

9.5/10

I'm glad we are getting some publicity.


Thaine

Re: The New Cool
 

Just finished it. It was like re-living the 2009 season for me. We were rookies that year and it was so easy to follow the timeline and remember where we were, what we overcame, and what we learned each step of the way.

1) It helped me realize I am not crazy and that other teams have all-nighters too.
2) It helped me re-live a great season and what I thought of as a great game.
3) It taught me about the engineering academy that I want to go visit when it's ready for teachers to learn.

This is not a good "pre-bed" book...I would put it down and my mind was completely spun up on FIRST, but certainly a great read. I ordered two copies for other people this afternoon. I'll pass my copy on to another team mentor until we've each had a chance to read it.

I may just have to order a copy for the administrator and our superintendent as well...couldn't hurt!

Re: The New Cool
 

I love this book just finished reading it over the weekend, Team 1717 had an inspirational season in 2009 and just to accomplish what they did was amazing especially being a team of "rookies" so to say.

Re: The New Cool
 

I didn't see that at all. It seemed completely normal / non-hostile to me.

I very much enjoyed the book - I was surprised at just how accurate it was. It's good to know just how hard an elite team works :)

Re: The New Cool
 

This is an excellent book! I am about halfway through, but so far it is great! Maybe thats because I love FIRST, or more probably because I love to read something I know about. :D

Re: The New Cool
 

Yay! I finally got a copy, although I'm going to save for the trip to St. Louis. :)
I hope more FRC literature keep popping up in the future, I haven't read it but I trusted it and just it's nice to have to suggest to friends to read (she got inspired to volunteer for an event, not ready to mentor yet.)

Re: The New Cool
 

I just got my copy from the library. So far, I'm liking it.

It's great to see FIRST get more exposure in all media forms.