There are many different styles and paths to learning &#x27;Computer Science&#x27;.<p>But if what you are after is insight into how a computer works I found that I had my &#x27;ah-ha&#x27; moment while learning C, Assembly (intel), and writing a compiler. I did have to have a slight basis in computer architecture, but that compiler project I worked on made everything click.<p>(side note on writing a compiler. Read, Decode, Execute. There are no short cuts around those series of steps).<p>If you are looking for a book I would recommend the &#x27;Dragon Book&#x27;<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;Compilers-Principles-Techniques-Tools-2nd&#x2F;dp&#x2F;0321486811" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;Compilers-Principles-Techniques-Tools-...</a><p>I found a paper copy of the international version for cheap (like $10 US if I remember) that was amazing.