Dear AOIR list I am thrilled to announce that my new book, *Too Much Fun: The Five Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer* is out today in the Platform Studies series on MIT Press <https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262549516/too-much-fun/>. *Too Much Fun *is about two central *mysteries*. First, why is the best-selling Commodore 64 computer absent in many computer and video game histories*? *Second, why did this early computer, destined for a shelf life of just a few years, live so long, and end up being produced from 1982-1994? Building on work in media archeology, the book is a "*biography*" of technology, where I show both the historical ideas and technology behind early home computers, advertising, the design of the machine, and how this design was later used in both intended and unintended ways. I also pay special attention to the difference between early North American and European computer history. I use this to describe the "*Five Lives"* of the title, as the Commodore 64 was *imagined* to be different things in its 40 years of existence from 1) a serious computer, to a 2) game computer, to 3) a computer for a technological subculture, to 4) a computer about to fall behind, to 5) a comforting device whose limitations are now a style, a cause for celebration, an old device experiencing a new renaissance. *Too Much Fun* is* for anyone interested in computer or game history*, in how devices can be made to live longer, and for anyone who had, or didn't have, a Commodore 64. You can get the book in electronic or paper format from your preferred distributor, or via the book's website: https://www.jesperjuul.net/c64/ *Endorsements* “Jesper Juul has provided a long-needed addition to the Platform Studies series. It's a wonderful book, as readable as it is informative.” *Jimmy Maher, author of The Future was Here: The Commodore Amiga* “A beautiful, sincere, and rich account of everything that makes this influential computer so special to me: that unique punk stew of technology, creativity, culture, people, and zeitgeist.” *Gary Penn, editor of Zzap!64; inaugural Games Media Legend; author of Sensible Software 1986–1999; Creative Director at DMA Design* “In this standout contribution to the Platform Studies series, Juul illuminates the overlooked career of the Commodore 64 home computer by integrating the perspectives of hardware designers, marketeers, game programmers, demo creators, and retrocomputing enthusiasts.” *Thomas Haigh, lead author of ENIAC in Action and A New History of Modern Computing* “As someone who has a wealth of knowledge on this subject, this book is 'highly recommended reading,' so do not hesitate—just buy this book and rejoice.” *David John Pleasance, musician, former Managing Director, Commodore UK, author of Commodore: The Inside Story* -- Jesper Juul, Video game theorist, Royal Danish Academy New book coming Dec 10, 2024: Too Much Fun: The Five Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer <https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262549516/too-much-fun/>. www.jesperjuul.net | j@jesperjuul.net | @jesperjuul.bsky.social <https://bsky.app/profile/jesperjuul.bsky.social>