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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
How do the tech moguls influence politics? This book tells us a lot about the history of Silicon Valley. It also explains why the American political landscape is more divided than ever. Peter Thiel has his tendrils deeply embedded in American politics. I found it surprising. A must read for anyone who wants a better understanding of our Democracy and why it’s on the skids.
The 2nd most entertaining business book I have ever read (others are Bad Blood and Steve Jobs).
I almost didn't read it because it had less than a 4 rating on GoodReads/Amazon but I gave it a try after seeing it won universal journalistic acclaim.
Peter Thiel is such an interesting and controversial person, and one of the most influential people in America.
The book not only gives a lot of insight to him, but also behinds the scenes of how business and politics influence each other.
The book is also polarizing. A lot of people hold Thiel in high regard, his book Zero to One is probably read by every tech startup founder. For those people, I must warn that the book contains some very unflattering truths about him, which are well documented and corroborated, and the work has universal journalistic acclaim. I think this is why some of the reviews on GoodReads and Amazon were so polarizing; it seems that many of his most loyal fan didn't even read the book since the reviews were posted before the book was even released.
I almost didn't read it because it had less than a 4 rating on GoodReads/Amazon but I gave it a try after seeing it won universal journalistic acclaim.
Peter Thiel is such an interesting and controversial person, and one of the most influential people in America.
The book not only gives a lot of insight to him, but also behinds the scenes of how business and politics influence each other.
The book is also polarizing. A lot of people hold Thiel in high regard, his book Zero to One is probably read by every tech startup founder. For those people, I must warn that the book contains some very unflattering truths about him, which are well documented and corroborated, and the work has universal journalistic acclaim. I think this is why some of the reviews on GoodReads and Amazon were so polarizing; it seems that many of his most loyal fan didn't even read the book since the reviews were posted before the book was even released.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
My journey through Silicon Valley continues as I learn more and more about its major events and players. And boy, do all of these guys really like Ayn Rand.
Like many, I was disappointed at the downfall of Gawker. While I felt like the site (and its offshoots) could be too proud of itself and unaware that its establishment as an institution made their criticisms of institutions a little flat, I think it performed an important service to the media in terms of calling out bs.
Being a Silicon Valley apostate, I had no idea who Peter Thiel was until it was revealed he was bankrolling Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit. Moreover, I didn’t know anything else about him until he began whispering in Trump’s ear. So I was glad for this book because I wanted some clarity on the real man and his empire.
I think part of the reason why the reviews on this aren’t as stellar is that it’s not a conventional biography. Peter Thiel is a pathologically private human being and we know little about his world. What Max Chafkin does do a good job of is breaking down how Thiel maneuvered in Silicon Valley, amassing capital and influence for his goal of pushing the US Government even further towards elites and tax cutting. He describes the evolution of Thiel’s views and maneuvers and how he became one of the most powerful people in the country.
Think of this book less as a look at the man and more a look at the avenues to influence Silicon Valley power brokers have over US politics. You’ll appreciate it more.
Like many, I was disappointed at the downfall of Gawker. While I felt like the site (and its offshoots) could be too proud of itself and unaware that its establishment as an institution made their criticisms of institutions a little flat, I think it performed an important service to the media in terms of calling out bs.
Being a Silicon Valley apostate, I had no idea who Peter Thiel was until it was revealed he was bankrolling Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit. Moreover, I didn’t know anything else about him until he began whispering in Trump’s ear. So I was glad for this book because I wanted some clarity on the real man and his empire.
I think part of the reason why the reviews on this aren’t as stellar is that it’s not a conventional biography. Peter Thiel is a pathologically private human being and we know little about his world. What Max Chafkin does do a good job of is breaking down how Thiel maneuvered in Silicon Valley, amassing capital and influence for his goal of pushing the US Government even further towards elites and tax cutting. He describes the evolution of Thiel’s views and maneuvers and how he became one of the most powerful people in the country.
Think of this book less as a look at the man and more a look at the avenues to influence Silicon Valley power brokers have over US politics. You’ll appreciate it more.
informative
medium-paced
dark
informative
medium-paced
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Max does a lot of journalistic work and I can appreciate the research portion of the book. The part I could’ve went without was how narrative driven it was. I wished the book was more objective. It felt from start to finish like Peter is this master mind villain out of your favorite comic. Still, I don’t want to degrade the book because I learned and took away a few gems. Especially in regards to some of Peters investments and companies. Palantir is referred to a good amount in the book and I was able to take away some new insight.
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
dark
informative
slow-paced
Chafkin’s challenge is that his subject, Peter Thiel, is dull as ditchwater. He is another aggrieved billionaire with competing god- and victim- complexes, hell-bent on destroying democracy and the regulatory state altogether. Unfortunately, those come a dime-a-dozen nowadays. As Chafkin’s reporting makes clear, Mr. Thiel has invested emotionally and financially towards his recognition as a respected public intellectual when he is neither respected nor particularly public about his affairs nor an intellectual, really. The most revelatory thing about the book is that there is nothing particularly remarkable about Mr. Thiel.
However, Mr. Chafkin and his team are also responsible for some of the book’s troubles. Editing is sloppy and numerous typos break the narrative flow. Chafkin’s organization is unclear, and themes tend to be fuzzy and at times repetitive. The author also liberally borrows from events decades apart which can become very confusing. Events in 2016 are equally likely to be presented with those in 2015 or 1985. At best, the book is a laundry list of outrageous billionaire mischief with little editorial guidance.