50 Books like Backstory

Extremely Hardcore

by Zoë Schiffer • 2024

A $44 billion impulse buy, then mass layoffs, fleeing advertisers. The takeover from inside.

3.97

1k+

🏢 Corporate Takeovers 📱 Social Media Platforms 📰 Tech Journalism ⚖️ Platform Governance 🗣️ Free Speech Debates

Extremely Hardcore 95%

A $44 billion impulse buy, then mass layoffs, fleeing advertisers. The takeover from inside.

by Zoë Schiffer 2024

3.97

1k+ ratings

🏢 Corporate Takeovers 📱 Social Media Platforms 📰 Tech Journalism ⚖️ Platform Governance 🗣️ Free Speech Debates

Personal History

by Katharine Graham • 1997

Her husband's suicide left her publisher of The Washington Post. The board expected her to sell.

4.09

25k+

📰 Media Industry 🏢 Family Business ✍️ Editorial Integrity 👩‍💼 Women In Leadership 🏛️ Political Journalism

Personal History 94%

Her husband's suicide left her publisher of The Washington Post. The board expected her to sell.

by Katharine Graham 1997

4.09

25k+ ratings

📰 Media Industry 🏢 Family Business ✍️ Editorial Integrity 👩‍💼 Women In Leadership 🏛️ Political Journalism

Master Switch

by Tim Wu • 2010

Telephone, radio, film, TV: each began open and ended a monopoly. The internet is next.

3.89

8k+

🏢 Media Monopolies 📜 Information History 🔄 Technological Cycles 🏛️ Corporate Consolidation ⚖️ Antitrust

Master Switch 94%

Telephone, radio, film, TV: each began open and ended a monopoly. The internet is next.

by Tim Wu 2010

3.89

8k+ ratings

🏢 Media Monopolies 📜 Information History 🔄 Technological Cycles 🏛️ Corporate Consolidation ⚖️ Antitrust

Netflixed

by Gina Keating • 2012

Blockbuster could have bought Netflix for $50 million. They passed. What followed took down a giant.

3.97

2k+

🎬 Entertainment Business ⚔️ Corporate Rivalry 💡 Disruptive Innovation 🔄 Digital Transformation 🚀 Startup Stories

Netflixed 94%

Blockbuster could have bought Netflix for $50 million. They passed. What followed took down a giant.

by Gina Keating 2012

3.97

2k+ ratings

🎬 Entertainment Business ⚔️ Corporate Rivalry 💡 Disruptive Innovation 🔄 Digital Transformation 🚀 Startup Stories

Conspiracy

by Ryan Holiday • 2018

How a billionaire secretly plotted for ten years to kill a media company, and won.

3.96

7k+

🎙️ Media Power ⚖️ Legal Warfare 📰 Media Ethics 🕵️ Secret Operations 🔒 Privacy Rights

Conspiracy 94%

How a billionaire secretly plotted for ten years to kill a media company, and won.

by Ryan Holiday 2018

3.96

7k+ ratings

🎙️ Media Power ⚖️ Legal Warfare 📰 Media Ethics 🕵️ Secret Operations 🔒 Privacy Rights

Power Failure

by William D. Cohan • 2022

The celebrated CEO playbook that made GE an icon also programmed its collapse.

4.28

2k+

🏢 Corporate History 💰 Financial Engineering 📖 Business Biography 📊 Earnings Management 📉 Organizational Decline

Power Failure 93%

The celebrated CEO playbook that made GE an icon also programmed its collapse.

by William D. Cohan 2022

4.28

2k+ ratings

🏢 Corporate History 💰 Financial Engineering 📖 Business Biography 📊 Earnings Management 📉 Organizational Decline

Giants of Enterprise

by Richard S. Tedlow • 2001

Seven titans built American business. The power they won then turned on them.

4.25

2k+

📜 Business History 🇺🇸 American Capitalism 🏭 Industrial Innovation 🛍️ Consumer Culture 🏷️ Brand Building

Giants of Enterprise 93%

Seven titans built American business. The power they won then turned on them.

by Richard S. Tedlow 2001

4.25

2k+ ratings

📜 Business History 🇺🇸 American Capitalism 🏭 Industrial Innovation 🛍️ Consumer Culture 🏷️ Brand Building

Lights Out

by Thomas Gryta • 2020

GE spent decades building the world's most admired numbers. The company behind them was a mirage.

3.92

5k+

⚖️ Corporate Governance 🏢 Organizational Culture 📉 Corporate Decline 🧮 Earnings Manipulation 💰 Financial Engineering

Lights Out 93%

GE spent decades building the world's most admired numbers. The company behind them was a mirage.

by Thomas Gryta 2020

3.92

5k+ ratings

⚖️ Corporate Governance 🏢 Organizational Culture 📉 Corporate Decline 🧮 Earnings Manipulation 💰 Financial Engineering

Journalism and PR

by John Lloyd • 2014

PR is bypassing the newsroom and speaking directly to you. Journalism hasn't caught up.

3.78

📢 Public Relations 📺 Media Studies 💻 Digital Disruption 🔍 Corporate Transparency 🛡️ Reputation Management

Journalism and PR 93%

PR is bypassing the newsroom and speaking directly to you. Journalism hasn't caught up.

by John Lloyd 2014

3.78

9 ratings

📢 Public Relations 📺 Media Studies 💻 Digital Disruption 🔍 Corporate Transparency 🛡️ Reputation Management

Business Adventures

by John Brooks • 1969

A $350 million flop, a market panic, and ten other disasters Wall Street keeps repeating.

3.81

25k+

🏢 Corporate Case Studies 📈 Financial History 🏦 Wall Street 📉 Market Panics 💥 Corporate Hubris

Business Adventures 93%

A $350 million flop, a market panic, and ten other disasters Wall Street keeps repeating.

by John Brooks 1969

3.81

25k+ ratings

🏢 Corporate Case Studies 📈 Financial History 🏦 Wall Street 📉 Market Panics 💥 Corporate Hubris

Losing the Signal

by Jacquie McNish • 2015

BlackBerry owned the smartphone. Then two CEOs, a buggy Storm, and the iPhone took everything.

3.98

5k+

🏭 Tech Industry 📖 Company Sagas ⚠️ Innovator's Dilemma 💥 Leadership Failures 📉 Corporate Decline

Losing the Signal 93%

BlackBerry owned the smartphone. Then two CEOs, a buggy Storm, and the iPhone took everything.

by Jacquie McNish 2015

3.98

5k+ ratings

🏭 Tech Industry 📖 Company Sagas ⚠️ Innovator's Dilemma 💥 Leadership Failures 📉 Corporate Decline

The Alchemists

by Jim Ratcliffe • 2018

Four out of five acquisitions fail. INEOS bet on the opposite and built a global industrial empire.

3.74

110

🏭 Corporate Turnarounds 💰 Mergers And Acquisitions 🌐 Decentralized Management 🔒 Private Company Strategy ⚙️ Industrial Manufacturing

The Alchemists 93%

Four out of five acquisitions fail. INEOS bet on the opposite and built a global industrial empire.

by Jim Ratcliffe 2018

3.74

110 ratings

🏭 Corporate Turnarounds 💰 Mergers And Acquisitions 🌐 Decentralized Management 🔒 Private Company Strategy ⚙️ Industrial Manufacturing

Factory Man

by Beth Macy • 2014

John Bassett III bet against offshoring. The survival of his Virginia town hung on it.

3.87

3k+

🏭 American Manufacturing 🌍 Globalization Impact 🏘️ Small Town America ⚖️ Trade Policy 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Business

Factory Man 93%

John Bassett III bet against offshoring. The survival of his Virginia town hung on it.

by Beth Macy 2014

3.87

3k+ ratings

🏭 American Manufacturing 🌍 Globalization Impact 🏘️ Small Town America ⚖️ Trade Policy 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Business

The PayPal Wars

by Eric M. Jackson • 2004

Russian mobsters, eBay's sabotage, an IPO after 9/11: inside PayPal's fight to survive.

3.99

1k+

🚀 Startup Stories 💳 Fintech History 🔗 Network Effects 🌉 Silicon Valley History 🦠 Viral Growth

The PayPal Wars 93%

Russian mobsters, eBay's sabotage, an IPO after 9/11: inside PayPal's fight to survive.

by Eric M. Jackson 2004

3.99

1k+ ratings

🚀 Startup Stories 💳 Fintech History 🔗 Network Effects 🌉 Silicon Valley History 🦠 Viral Growth

The Big Picture

by Ben Fritz • 2018

How Marvel, Netflix, and the Chinese box office dismantled the movies you used to love.

4.02

2k+

🎬 Hollywood Economics 📺 Streaming Disruption 🎥 Franchise Filmmaking 🌏 Global Box Office 🏢 Media Consolidation

The Big Picture 93%

How Marvel, Netflix, and the Chinese box office dismantled the movies you used to love.

by Ben Fritz 2018

4.02

2k+ ratings

🎬 Hollywood Economics 📺 Streaming Disruption 🎥 Franchise Filmmaking 🌏 Global Box Office 🏢 Media Consolidation

When McKinsey Comes to Town

by Walt Bogdanich • 2022

McKinsey is the hidden force behind the opioid crisis, the 2008 crash, and authoritarian regimes.

3.80

12k+

🏢 Consulting Industry 🏛️ Corporate Power 🔍 Investigative Journalism 👔 White Collar Crime 🚪 Regulatory Capture

When McKinsey Comes to Town 93%

McKinsey is the hidden force behind the opioid crisis, the 2008 crash, and authoritarian regimes.

by Walt Bogdanich 2022

3.80

12k+ ratings

🏢 Consulting Industry 🏛️ Corporate Power 🔍 Investigative Journalism 👔 White Collar Crime 🚪 Regulatory Capture

Hatching Twitter

by Nick Bilton • 2013

Four friends created Twitter. Then they systematically destroyed each other.

4.04

19k+

🚀 Tech Startups 🌉 Silicon Valley 📱 Social Media ⚔️ Founder Feuds 🕵️ Corporate Intrigue

Hatching Twitter 93%

Four friends created Twitter. Then they systematically destroyed each other.

by Nick Bilton 2013

4.04

19k+ ratings

🚀 Tech Startups 🌉 Silicon Valley 📱 Social Media ⚔️ Founder Feuds 🕵️ Corporate Intrigue

Hard Landing

by Thomas Petzinger Jr. • 1995

A busted union here, a rigged screen there: how two men's rivalry built modern air travel.

4.41

814

✈️ Airline Industry 🏢 Corporate History 📜 Deregulation ⚒️ Labor Wars 🔄 Corporate Turnarounds

Hard Landing 93%

A busted union here, a rigged screen there: how two men's rivalry built modern air travel.

by Thomas Petzinger Jr. 1995

4.41

814 ratings

✈️ Airline Industry 🏢 Corporate History 📜 Deregulation ⚒️ Labor Wars 🔄 Corporate Turnarounds

Winner Sells All

by Jason Del Rey • 2023

In 1999, Walmart bet e-commerce didn't matter. The bill for that mistake is still unpaid.

3.94

364

🥊 Corporate Rivalry 🏪 Retail Industry 📱 Big Tech 📦 E-Commerce Disruption 🔄 Digital Transformation

Winner Sells All 93%

In 1999, Walmart bet e-commerce didn't matter. The bill for that mistake is still unpaid.

by Jason Del Rey 2023

3.94

364 ratings

🥊 Corporate Rivalry 🏪 Retail Industry 📱 Big Tech 📦 E-Commerce Disruption 🔄 Digital Transformation

Power Play

by Tim Higgins • 2021

A $35,000 electric car drew 400,000 pre-orders. The factory to build it became a nightmare.

4.07

2k+

🚗 Electric Vehicles 💻 Silicon Valley Culture 🏢 Corporate Biographies 🏭 Manufacturing ⚡ Disruptive Technology

Power Play 93%

A $35,000 electric car drew 400,000 pre-orders. The factory to build it became a nightmare.

by Tim Higgins 2021

4.07

2k+ ratings

🚗 Electric Vehicles 💻 Silicon Valley Culture 🏢 Corporate Biographies 🏭 Manufacturing ⚡ Disruptive Technology

The Facebook Effect

by David Kirkpatrick • 2010

The bet: real names would make the internet better. Then 500 million people showed up.

3.86

12k+

📱 Social Media History 🏢 Corporate Biography 🌉 Silicon Valley History 🔗 Platform Economics 📈 Viral Growth

The Facebook Effect 93%

The bet: real names would make the internet better. Then 500 million people showed up.

by David Kirkpatrick 2010

3.86

12k+ ratings

📱 Social Media History 🏢 Corporate Biography 🌉 Silicon Valley History 🔗 Platform Economics 📈 Viral Growth

The Art of Business Wars

by David Brown • 2021

The competitive secrets buried in a century of business battles, from Ford to Amazon.

4.00

679

🥊 Business Rivalries 📜 Business History ♟️ Competitive Strategy 🛡️ Business Resilience 🎯 Customer Obsession

The Art of Business Wars 93%

The competitive secrets buried in a century of business battles, from Ford to Amazon.

by David Brown 2021

4.00

679 ratings

🥊 Business Rivalries 📜 Business History ♟️ Competitive Strategy 🛡️ Business Resilience 🎯 Customer Obsession

The Everything Store

by Brad Stone • 2013

How one man's ferocious drive turned an online bookstore into the world's most feared company.

4.14

78k+

👤 Founder Biographies 🏢 Corporate History 🚀 Tech Startups 🛒 E-Commerce 🧭 Corporate Culture

The Everything Store 93%

How one man's ferocious drive turned an online bookstore into the world's most feared company.

by Brad Stone 2013

4.14

78k+ ratings

👤 Founder Biographies 🏢 Corporate History 🚀 Tech Startups 🛒 E-Commerce 🧭 Corporate Culture

The Upstarts

by Brad Stone • 2017

How two apps turned trust into a product, and the brutal global battle to keep it.

4.04

7k+

🏡 Sharing Economy 📲 Platform Businesses 🚀 Startup Sagas 🌉 Silicon Valley Culture ⚖️ Regulatory Disruption

The Upstarts 93%

How two apps turned trust into a product, and the brutal global battle to keep it.

by Brad Stone 2017

4.04

7k+ ratings

🏡 Sharing Economy 📲 Platform Businesses 🚀 Startup Sagas 🌉 Silicon Valley Culture ⚖️ Regulatory Disruption

Car Guys vs. Bean Counters

by Bob Lutz • 2011

GM had half the market and the best cars. Three decades of financial management destroyed both.

3.73

1k+

🚗 Automotive Industry 🔄 Corporate Turnaround 🎨 Product Design ⚙️ Engineering Culture 📖 Management Memoir

Car Guys vs. Bean Counters 93%

GM had half the market and the best cars. Three decades of financial management destroyed both.

by Bob Lutz 2011

3.73

1k+ ratings

🚗 Automotive Industry 🔄 Corporate Turnaround 🎨 Product Design ⚙️ Engineering Culture 📖 Management Memoir

The Partnership

by Charles D. Ellis • 2008

The partnership culture that made Goldman Sachs unstoppable, and why success forced it to go public.

3.82

1k+

🇺🇸 American Business History 🏛️ Wall Street History 🏢 Corporate Biography 💼 Investment Banking 📉 Financial Crises

The Partnership 93%

The partnership culture that made Goldman Sachs unstoppable, and why success forced it to go public.

by Charles D. Ellis 2008

3.82

1k+ ratings

🇺🇸 American Business History 🏛️ Wall Street History 🏢 Corporate Biography 💼 Investment Banking 📉 Financial Crises

Good Profit

by Charles G. Koch • 2015

Most profit relies on exploitation. Charles Koch built a $100 billion company by doing the opposite.

3.86

2k+

🏛️ Management Philosophy 🧭 Organizational Culture 🏪 Internal Markets 🎯 Incentive Design 💥 Creative Destruction

Good Profit 93%

Most profit relies on exploitation. Charles Koch built a $100 billion company by doing the opposite.

by Charles G. Koch 2015

3.86

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Management Philosophy 🧭 Organizational Culture 🏪 Internal Markets 🎯 Incentive Design 💥 Creative Destruction

DisneyWar

by James B. Stewart • 2005

Disney's peacemaker died in a crash, and Eisner declared war on his own executive suite.

4.12

9k+

🏢 Boardroom Battles 🎬 Hollywood Business 🎨 Creative Leadership 🔍 Corporate Intrigue 🎞️ Animation History

DisneyWar 92%

Disney's peacemaker died in a crash, and Eisner declared war on his own executive suite.

by James B. Stewart 2005

4.12

9k+ ratings

🏢 Boardroom Battles 🎬 Hollywood Business 🎨 Creative Leadership 🔍 Corporate Intrigue 🎞️ Animation History

The Innovator's Dilemma

by Clayton M. Christensen • 1997

The practices that make a company excellent are the same ones that make it obsolete.

4.04

61k+

🔻 Organizational Decline ⚙️ Technology Management ♟️ Competitive Strategy 💰 Resource Allocation 🌱 Market Creation

The Innovator's Dilemma 92%

The practices that make a company excellent are the same ones that make it obsolete.

by Clayton M. Christensen 1997

4.04

61k+ ratings

🔻 Organizational Decline ⚙️ Technology Management ♟️ Competitive Strategy 💰 Resource Allocation 🌱 Market Creation

Play Nice But Win

by Michael Dell • 2021

Wall Street declared his company dead. He bet $24 billion on the long term. The long term won.

4.13

3k+

🏢 Corporate Turnarounds 📖 Founder Memoirs 🔒 Going Private 🧠 Decision Frameworks 🤝 Mergers And Acquisitions

Play Nice But Win 92%

Wall Street declared his company dead. He bet $24 billion on the long term. The long term won.

by Michael Dell 2021

4.13

3k+ ratings

🏢 Corporate Turnarounds 📖 Founder Memoirs 🔒 Going Private 🧠 Decision Frameworks 🤝 Mergers And Acquisitions

The Fund

by Rob Copeland • 2023

Ray Dalio sold a philosophy of truth. The billion-dollar reality was a surveillance machine.

3.97

7k+

🏦 Hedge Funds 🏢 Corporate Culture 🔍 Investigative Journalism ☣️ Toxic Leadership 🎭 Cult Of Personality

The Fund 92%

Ray Dalio sold a philosophy of truth. The billion-dollar reality was a surveillance machine.

by Rob Copeland 2023

3.97

7k+ ratings

🏦 Hedge Funds 🏢 Corporate Culture 🔍 Investigative Journalism ☣️ Toxic Leadership 🎭 Cult Of Personality

No Filter

by Sarah Frier • 2020

Facebook bought Instagram for a billion dollars, promised independence, then slowly took everything.

4.11

11k+

🏙️ Silicon Valley 🚀 Tech Startups 📸 Influencer Culture 📱 Social Media History 🏗️ Platform Capitalism

No Filter 92%

Facebook bought Instagram for a billion dollars, promised independence, then slowly took everything.

by Sarah Frier 2020

4.11

11k+ ratings

🏙️ Silicon Valley 🚀 Tech Startups 📸 Influencer Culture 📱 Social Media History 🏗️ Platform Capitalism

Like, Comment, Subscribe

by Mark Bergen • 2022

Three PayPal coworkers built a dating site. It became the algorithm deciding what the world watches.

3.72

1k+

💹 Platform Economics 🏢 Tech Company Histories 🤖 Algorithmic Influence 🛡️ Content Moderation 🎬 Creator Economy

Like, Comment, Subscribe 92%

Three PayPal coworkers built a dating site. It became the algorithm deciding what the world watches.

by Mark Bergen 2022

3.72

1k+ ratings

💹 Platform Economics 🏢 Tech Company Histories 🤖 Algorithmic Influence 🛡️ Content Moderation 🎬 Creator Economy

Amazon and the Rise of E-commerce

by 50Minutes • 2017

The Amazon playbook: why selling at a loss built the world's biggest online retailer.

2.00

📖 Company History 🛒 E-Commerce 🎯 Customer Focus 💡 Innovation Culture 📊 Data-Driven Decisions

Amazon and the Rise of E-commerce Summary

Amazon and the Rise of E-commerce 92%

The Amazon playbook: why selling at a loss built the world's biggest online retailer.

by 50Minutes 2017

2.00

2 ratings

📖 Company History 🛒 E-Commerce 🎯 Customer Focus 💡 Innovation Culture 📊 Data-Driven Decisions

The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time

by Fortune Magazine • 2012

From Boeing's jet bet to Intel's chip campaign: how a handful of decisions reshaped business.

3.87

605

🏛️ Business History 📋 Corporate Case Studies 🏢 Company Culture 💗 Customer Obsession 🧨 Contrarian Strategy

The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time Summary

The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time 92%

From Boeing's jet bet to Intel's chip campaign: how a handful of decisions reshaped business.

by Fortune Magazine 2012

3.87

605 ratings

🏛️ Business History 📋 Corporate Case Studies 🏢 Company Culture 💗 Customer Obsession 🧨 Contrarian Strategy

Amazon Unbound

by Brad Stone • 2021

Amazon's second act produced AWS, Alexa, and a $1.7 trillion empire, but the backlash had begun.

4.07

7k+

🏢 Big Tech 📜 Corporate History 💼 Workplace Culture 🛒 E-Commerce 🔬 Innovation Culture

Amazon Unbound 92%

Amazon's second act produced AWS, Alexa, and a $1.7 trillion empire, but the backlash had begun.

by Brad Stone 2021

4.07

7k+ ratings

🏢 Big Tech 📜 Corporate History 💼 Workplace Culture 🛒 E-Commerce 🔬 Innovation Culture

Goldman Sachs

by Lisa Endlich • 1999

One rule built Wall Street's last private giant: every partner was personally liable for every loss.

3.50

646

🏦 Investment Banking 📜 Wall Street History 🏢 Corporate History 🧩 Organizational Culture ⚠️ Risk Management

Goldman Sachs 92%

One rule built Wall Street's last private giant: every partner was personally liable for every loss.

by Lisa Endlich 1999

3.50

646 ratings

🏦 Investment Banking 📜 Wall Street History 🏢 Corporate History 🧩 Organizational Culture ⚠️ Risk Management

The Caesars Palace Coup

by Max Frumes • 2021

One casino, $24 billion in debt, and the holdout creditors who forced Apollo to pay.

4.05

4k+

🏢 Private Equity 💰 Leveraged Buyouts 📋 Corporate Governance 🕵️ Financial Investigations 🏚️ Corporate Collapses

The Caesars Palace Coup 92%

One casino, $24 billion in debt, and the holdout creditors who forced Apollo to pay.

by Max Frumes 2021

4.05

4k+ ratings

🏢 Private Equity 💰 Leveraged Buyouts 📋 Corporate Governance 🕵️ Financial Investigations 🏚️ Corporate Collapses

United States of Distraction

by Mickey Huff • 2019

Six companies own nearly all American media. The product is a public too distracted for democracy.

3.74

114

🗞️ Media Criticism 📰 News Literacy 📡 Propaganda Studies 🏢 Corporate Media 🤥 Disinformation Age

United States of Distraction 92%

Six companies own nearly all American media. The product is a public too distracted for democracy.

by Mickey Huff 2019

3.74

114 ratings

🗞️ Media Criticism 📰 News Literacy 📡 Propaganda Studies 🏢 Corporate Media 🤥 Disinformation Age

The Tatas

by Girish Kuber • 2015

One family's six-generation bet: that decency and nation-building fuel profit, not drain it.

4.34

1k+

👳 Indian Business 🏛️ Business Dynasties ⚖️ Ethical Capitalism 🎗️ Corporate Philanthropy 🤝 Strategic Acquisitions

The Tatas 92%

One family's six-generation bet: that decency and nation-building fuel profit, not drain it.

by Girish Kuber 2015

4.34

1k+ ratings

👳 Indian Business 🏛️ Business Dynasties ⚖️ Ethical Capitalism 🎗️ Corporate Philanthropy 🤝 Strategic Acquisitions

The Complete Financial History of Berkshire Hathaway

by Adam J. Mead • 2021

A 1965 textile mill worth $13.5 billion by 1993: the history from cigar butts to Coke.

4.55

169

📚 Corporate History 💡 Investment Philosophy 💰 Value Investing 📊 Capital Allocation 🏰 Economic Moats

The Complete Financial History of Berkshire Hathaway Summary

The Complete Financial History of Berkshire Hathaway 92%

A 1965 textile mill worth $13.5 billion by 1993: the history from cigar butts to Coke.

by Adam J. Mead 2021

4.55

169 ratings

📚 Corporate History 💡 Investment Philosophy 💰 Value Investing 📊 Capital Allocation 🏰 Economic Moats

The Google Story

by David A. Vise • 2005

How two Stanford dropouts, one algorithm, and an ethical pledge built a $100 billion empire.

3.88

16k+

🚀 Silicon Valley Startups 💰 Digital Advertising ⚖️ Corporate Ethics 🏢 Tech Company Histories ⚔️ Tech Rivalries

The Google Story 92%

How two Stanford dropouts, one algorithm, and an ethical pledge built a $100 billion empire.

by David A. Vise 2005

3.88

16k+ ratings

🚀 Silicon Valley Startups 💰 Digital Advertising ⚖️ Corporate Ethics 🏢 Tech Company Histories ⚔️ Tech Rivalries

The Spotify Play

by Sven Carlsson • 2019

How Spotify used a free music catalog to outmaneuver Apple, Google, and Amazon.

3.53

2k+

🎵 Music Industry 🚀 Startup Playbooks 💻 Digital Media 📡 Streaming Platforms 🏗️ Platform Economics

The Spotify Play 92%

How Spotify used a free music catalog to outmaneuver Apple, Google, and Amazon.

by Sven Carlsson 2019

3.53

2k+ ratings

🎵 Music Industry 🚀 Startup Playbooks 💻 Digital Media 📡 Streaming Platforms 🏗️ Platform Economics

The Truth About Trump

by Michael D'Antonio • 2015

A Queens developer's decades-long project of self-invention, and how it conquered America.

3.54

795

🏛️ Political Biographies 💼 Business Moguls 👨‍👦 Family Dynasties 🗳️ Populist Politics 📺 Media Manipulation

The Truth About Trump 92%

A Queens developer's decades-long project of self-invention, and how it conquered America.

by Michael D'Antonio 2015

3.54

795 ratings

🏛️ Political Biographies 💼 Business Moguls 👨‍👦 Family Dynasties 🗳️ Populist Politics 📺 Media Manipulation

American Turnaround

by Edward E. Whitacre • 2013

Bankrupt GM returned to profit in months. The same risk-taking that landed AT&T the iPhone.

3.86

234

🏭 Corporate Turnarounds 🏗️ Organizational Restructuring 🚨 Crisis Leadership 🤝 Hands-On Leadership 🌱 Culture Change

American Turnaround 92%

Bankrupt GM returned to profit in months. The same risk-taking that landed AT&T the iPhone.

by Edward E. Whitacre 2013

3.86

234 ratings

🏭 Corporate Turnarounds 🏗️ Organizational Restructuring 🚨 Crisis Leadership 🤝 Hands-On Leadership 🌱 Culture Change

Samsung Rising

by Geoffrey Cain • 2020

A family grocer built a tech empire on military discipline. Then the phones caught fire.

3.64

2k+

🏭 Tech Industry History 🏢 Corporate Culture 🇰🇷 South Korean Economy 👑 Leadership Dynasties 💥 Product Failure

Samsung Rising 92%

A family grocer built a tech empire on military discipline. Then the phones caught fire.

by Geoffrey Cain 2020

3.64

2k+ ratings

🏭 Tech Industry History 🏢 Corporate Culture 🇰🇷 South Korean Economy 👑 Leadership Dynasties 💥 Product Failure

Hard Drive

by James Wallace • 1992

The $50,000 operating system Gates bought and resold to IBM: the deal that built Microsoft.

4.12

2k+

🖥️ Pc Revolution 📋 Corporate Biography 🚀 Tech Entrepreneurship ⚔️ Business Rivalries 💾 Software Industry

Hard Drive 92%

The $50,000 operating system Gates bought and resold to IBM: the deal that built Microsoft.

by James Wallace 1992

4.12

2k+ ratings

🖥️ Pc Revolution 📋 Corporate Biography 🚀 Tech Entrepreneurship ⚔️ Business Rivalries 💾 Software Industry

Gamers at Work

by Morgan Ramsay • 2012

Atari, EA, Blizzard, Valve: the founders reveal the near-death moments behind gaming's biggest hits.

3.69

138

🎮 Game Industry 🚀 Tech Startups 🎙️ Founder Interviews 🏢 Company Culture 🎨 Creative Business

Gamers at Work 92%

Atari, EA, Blizzard, Valve: the founders reveal the near-death moments behind gaming's biggest hits.

by Morgan Ramsay 2012

3.69

138 ratings

🎮 Game Industry 🚀 Tech Startups 🎙️ Founder Interviews 🏢 Company Culture 🎨 Creative Business

Hate Inc.

by Matt Taibbi • 2019

The news isn't failing to inform you. It's succeeding at its real job: selling your outrage.

4.09

6k+

📰 Media Criticism 😡 Outrage Economy 🎭 Media Manipulation 🏛️ Partisan Division 📱 News Addiction

Hate Inc. 92%

The news isn't failing to inform you. It's succeeding at its real job: selling your outrage.

by Matt Taibbi 2019

4.09

6k+ ratings

📰 Media Criticism 😡 Outrage Economy 🎭 Media Manipulation 🏛️ Partisan Division 📱 News Addiction

The Firm

by Duff McDonald • 2013

The consulting firm that shaped American business from the inside, and what that secrecy bought.

3.75

3k+

🏢 Management Consulting 📜 Corporate History 🏛️ Organizational Culture ⚡ Corporate Influence 🕸️ Professional Networks

The Firm 92%

The consulting firm that shaped American business from the inside, and what that secrecy bought.

by Duff McDonald 2013

3.75

3k+ ratings

🏢 Management Consulting 📜 Corporate History 🏛️ Organizational Culture ⚡ Corporate Influence 🕸️ Professional Networks

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