Do we really need another book about making software?

Late last year, I was asked to contribute a chapter to an upcoming O'Reilly book called 'Making Software'. I wrote a chapter describing how we learned what it means for an API to be considered usable. A rough cut version of the chapter and the book is available at https://my.safaribooksonline.com/9780596808310. The rough cuts version is an early 'beta' version of the book. My chapter is in there amongst a few others. I would be delighted if you got the chance to read it and send me any comments on what works and what doesn't, either here on the blog, or on the feedback section on the rough cuts site.

The publishers provided the following overview for the book:

Many claims are made about how certain tools, technologies, and practices improve software development. But which claims are verifiable, and which are merely wishful thinking? In this book, leading thinkers such as Steve McConnell, Barry Boehm, and Barbara Kitchenham offer essays that uncover the truth and unmask myths commonly held among the software development community. Making Software will open your eyes and help you choose the tools and technologies that are right for you.