The New Cool

[Kevin Sevcik]

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.