homebrew computer - where to start?

hi,

i've been a dedicated computer nerd for about twelve years now. i
started with a cast-off tandy "laptop" that ran BASIC and have been
hacking ever since, through 386/486/pentium/etc.

now i find myself much more interested in computer systems that appear
historically before my introduction to computers, and i'd really like
to get to know these older computing methodologies more intimately.
i'd like to try to build a computer from scratch - build my own
processor, etc. - to gain a greater familiarity with the underlying
technology.

so where do i start? poking around on the internet, all i can seem to
find is vendors trying to sell "homebrew" computer parts which
basically involves piecing together readymade components.

i know that the definition of "computer" covers a pretty wide continuum
right now, but what i'm interested in building is just the basic
machine: an electronic device that runs programs, whether it has a
display, printer, or just an array of LEDs as its output.

maybe someone knows a book or something that covers this material.

thanks for your time!

best,
jake

.

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