Masters of Doom

Have you ever wondered how a small, rebellious team can build something that changes the world? Discover the electrifying story of John Carmack and John Romero, the programming geniuses behind the legendary video games Doom and Quake, and learn how their partnership revolutionized an entire industry. This summary unpacks their journey from teenage hackers to multimillionaire rock stars of the tech world. You'll get the inside scoop on their groundbreaking coding techniques, their chaotic and creative work culture, and the explosive fallout that ultimately tore their empire apart.

David Kushner is an award-winning journalist and contributing editor of Rolling Stone, recognized for his deep reporting on technology, gaming, and cyberculture. His fascination with the rebellious spirit of digital pioneers led him to chronicle the lives of John Carmack and John Romero. Kushner immersed himself in the world of id Software, conducting hundreds of interviews to capture the raw, revolutionary energy that fueled the creation of Doom and forever changed the landscape of video games and pop culture.