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        "name": "But How Do It Know?",
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        "website": "https://openlibrary.org/works/OL18200842W",
        "page": "https://listme.name/books/but-how-do-it-know",
        "tagline": "Plain-language walk through building a simple CPU from gates",
        "summary": "But How Do It Know? The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone is a self-published book by J. Clark Scott. It walks readers from logic gates to a simple central processing unit. It was first published in 2009 and is written for a general audience.",
        "developer": "J. Clark Scott (self-published)",
        "author": "J. Clark Scott",
        "formats": [
            "print"
        ],
        "pricing": "paid",
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        "strengths": [
            "Very accessible for readers with no background",
            "Builds a simple CPU from logic gates"
        ],
        "limits": [
            "Light on modern topics such as multicore processors",
            "Self-published, so it lacks a large publisher's imprint"
        ],
        "checked": "2026-10-10",
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        "cover": "https://listme.name/assets/covers/but-how-do-it-know.webp",
        "overview": "The book explains the basic principles of computers in plain language. It begins with logic gates and shows how simple circuits combine into a central processing unit that runs instructions from memory. The aim is to make the basic mechanism clear rather than to cover the details of any modern machine.\n\nThe book suits general readers and students who have never studied computer hardware, and it is one of the most accessible books here. It is self-published rather than issued by a large publisher, and it is light on modern topics such as multicore processors. Readers who want more depth should move on to Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition or the other textbooks on this list.",
        "highlights": [
            "Logic gates to a simple CPU",
            "Plain-language explanations",
            "Print book for general readers"
        ],
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            "score": 77,
            "verdict": "The most accessible book here for readers with no background, building a simple CPU from gates in plain language. It is light on modern topics and self-published, so it ranks last despite its clarity.",
            "best_for": "General readers new to computer hardware"
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