If you're shopping for a reference hardcover, the first fork in the road is whether you need a project handbook or a picture-driven yearbook. The three Giant Handbook of Computer Projects copies share the same 1979 publishing project and the same Seventy-Three Magazine Editors attribution. The Life Album 1997: A Year in Pictures is the outlier: a separate hardcover by Time-Life Books Editors meant to be flipped through rather than worked through.
Quick take
Listed prices for these four hardcovers run from $3.88 to $25.00. The three 1979 computer-project handbooks sit near the top of that range and differ mainly by edition, condition, and the kind of wear described in each copy. The Life Album 1997 sits at the low end and has a different purpose.
Listed price comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 Hardcover) | USD 25.00 | |
| Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 HC, Acceptable) | USD 25.00 | |
| Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 HC, 2nd Printing) | USD 23.00 | |
| Life Album 1997: A Year in Pictures | USD 3.88 |
Decision matrix
| If your need is... | Consider... |
|---|---|
| A 1979 computer-projects reference with illustrated pages | The Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 Hardcover) |
| A hardcover copy whose text is clear of writing or highlighting | Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 HC, Acceptable) |
| A copy of the 1979 handbook with visible cover wear | Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 HC, 2nd Printing) |
| A photo-driven 1997 retrospective | Life Album 1997: A Year in Pictures |
Product notes
The Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 Hardcover)
This is a first-edition hardcover with Ex-Library and Illustrated features. The description points to 503 pages of computer projects plus adult and further-education content, so it reads as a substantial classroom-style reference. The limitation is the ex-library provenance; it matters if you want a pristine collector's piece. Start here when the first-edition label and the illustration set matter more than a clean library history.
Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 HC, Acceptable)
The description says Quality used condition and No writing or highlighting, which makes this a strong candidate if you want readable pages. It also mentions a coffee spot on the bottom that runs to page 24, so the flaw is already visible and upfront. The ISBN is 9780830697243, matching the second-printing copy. Choose this one when clean, unmarked text matters more than the cover, and accept the coffee-spot stain as the trade-off for that reading condition.
Giant Handbook of Computer Projects (1979 HC, 2nd Printing)
This second printing shares ISBN 9780830697243 with the Acceptable-condition copy. The condition is Good, but the description is specific about front-cover damage: a portion peeled from sticker removal, creased corners, and graphic loss. Pages are described as in decent shape. If you are okay with a shelf-worn cover and want the same 1979 content, this is a direct alternative to the first-edition copy. The limitation is the cosmetic damage, which will be visible every time you pick the book up.
Life Album 1997: A Year in Pictures
This hardcover is a year-in-pictures retrospective rather than a how-to project book. The condition is Good, and the author attribution is Time-Life Books Editors. The description also notes that supplemental items such as CDs or access codes may not be included, so treat it as a standalone photo reference. If you are more interested in a visual time capsule of 1997 than in 1970s electronic projects, consider this hardcover. Its photo-driven format is very different from the 1979 handbooks.
Final recommendation by use case
If you want a first-edition 1979 handbook, start with the 1979 Hardcover. If you want readable pages and can tolerate visible use, the Acceptable-condition HC covers that need. If you want the same 1979 book with a worn cover, pick the 2nd Printing. If your goal is a 1997 picture review, Life Album 1997: A Year in Pictures is the standalone choice.
