Bill Gates Reflects on Early Life and Programming Obsession in New Memoir

The first volume of Gates's planned trilogy, 'Source Code: My Beginnings,' explores his childhood, passion for coding, and the foundations of Microsoft.

Bill Gates's memoir, 'Source Code: My Beginnings,' recounts his formative years, from a privileged upbringing in Seattle to his early programming experiences.
The book highlights Gates's introduction to computers at age 13, including his first program written in BASIC and his early collaboration with Paul Allen, the future Microsoft co-founder.
Gates credits his success to a combination of intellectual curiosity, hyperfocus, and access to rare computing resources at his elite private school, Lakeside.
The memoir candidly discusses Gates’s personality, including his socially awkward behavior, intense work ethic, and self-described neurodiversity, likely placing him on the autism spectrum.
Critics note the book's nostalgic tone and detailed anecdotes but suggest the early-life focus may leave readers waiting for key chapters on Microsoft's rise and Gates's philanthropic endeavors.