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trevan's review against another edition
3.0
A good look into the early days of tons of popular internet companies. It's a pretty long book, all in interview format, so some can get a little boring if you're not familiar with the founder. Overall, a good book with some good insights into what it's like to really start a company.
geoffpado's review against another edition
4.0
Just re-read this book which I'd last read in early 2010. It's starting to be more of a history book than a "here's what famous founders have to say about things," but it's still a fun read.
monvural's review against another edition
4.0
Find the folks you really want to learn about, read their chapters, then shelve the book.
I'd suggest all of the first 10-12, and then your favorites after that.
I'd suggest all of the first 10-12, and then your favorites after that.
jonathanwallace's review against another edition
4.0
I don't remember reading this other than I really liked it and it fired me up back when I was really digging into entrepreneurship. So this was probably late aughts, early teens.
neilkakkar's review against another edition
4.0
https://twitter.com/suhail/status/1276332612189999104?s=21
eddiesmo's review against another edition
Read a google docs summary:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dWpCE_uAh8EQObiTdfRYcxX5nAmmd_iYwN73D_cv2_0/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dWpCE_uAh8EQObiTdfRYcxX5nAmmd_iYwN73D_cv2_0/edit
tdrapeau's review
4.0
Founders at Work is a collection of 32 interviews done by Jessica Livingston of founders of tech companies. Many of the big names are present: Apple, Adobe, Yahoo, etc. A bunch of people have reviewed this book already, including those who are interviewed for the book, so I thought I would give my personal favorite parts of the book without trying to be comprehensive. The official site could certainly fill you in on the breadth of the book.
To me the most interesting interviews were:
- Steve Wozniak: That guy is a geek! And my hero, what a brain.
- Sabeer Bhatia: Entertaining interview re: the early days of Hotmail.
- Mike Lazaridis: Great interview with the co-founder of RIM, which specifically calls out the differences in running a startup in Canada.
- Charles Geschke: Co-founder, Adobe Systems. Impressive interview, great technology, great business strategy.
- Philip Greenspun: Co-founder, Ars Digita. A great company hurt by venture capital investment. Great insight into making software. This was my favorite interview of the book.
- Joel Spolsky: Co-founder, Fog Creek Software. Engineers FTW!
It is a must read book for all aspiring high tech entrepreneurs, as successes and failures are presented in very honest, understandable ways.
A parting word from Charles Geschke (p296):
Q: Is there any other advice you would give to someone who was thinking of starting a startup?
A: If you aren't passionate about what you are going to do, don't do it. Work smart and not long, because you need to preserve all of your life, not just your work life...
To me the most interesting interviews were:
- Steve Wozniak: That guy is a geek! And my hero, what a brain.
- Sabeer Bhatia: Entertaining interview re: the early days of Hotmail.
- Mike Lazaridis: Great interview with the co-founder of RIM, which specifically calls out the differences in running a startup in Canada.
- Charles Geschke: Co-founder, Adobe Systems. Impressive interview, great technology, great business strategy.
- Philip Greenspun: Co-founder, Ars Digita. A great company hurt by venture capital investment. Great insight into making software. This was my favorite interview of the book.
- Joel Spolsky: Co-founder, Fog Creek Software. Engineers FTW!
It is a must read book for all aspiring high tech entrepreneurs, as successes and failures are presented in very honest, understandable ways.
A parting word from Charles Geschke (p296):
Q: Is there any other advice you would give to someone who was thinking of starting a startup?
A: If you aren't passionate about what you are going to do, don't do it. Work smart and not long, because you need to preserve all of your life, not just your work life...
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