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gemmamilne's review against another edition
5.0
I devoured this book in 48 hours, and, TLDR: you should too.
Susan’s blog post blowing the whistle on Uber’s horrific workplace culture in 2017 set in motion changes and tough conversations not just at the ride-sharing startup, but across Silicon Valley and beyond.
Her memoir tells the full story of what happened at Uber in much greater detail, but it would be diminishing to say that this is what this book is about.
It’s so much more.
This is an account of someone not taking no for an answer; of someone unrelentingly driven in the pursuit of knowledge, education and self-actualisation; of someone taking and reclaiming power in so many different ways. Susan’s life story is story enough.
I reckon I’ve become a bit numb to horrific stories of startup (and academic) culture, and so I wasn’t all that shocked by Susan’s experience, but the matter-of-fact account, displayed with such clarity, was a joy (if you can say that about problematic stories) to read.
This book was so inspiring, so quick to fly through, and left me pondering many questions about speaking up, power and lifelong learning.
Brilliant.
Susan’s blog post blowing the whistle on Uber’s horrific workplace culture in 2017 set in motion changes and tough conversations not just at the ride-sharing startup, but across Silicon Valley and beyond.
Her memoir tells the full story of what happened at Uber in much greater detail, but it would be diminishing to say that this is what this book is about.
It’s so much more.
This is an account of someone not taking no for an answer; of someone unrelentingly driven in the pursuit of knowledge, education and self-actualisation; of someone taking and reclaiming power in so many different ways. Susan’s life story is story enough.
I reckon I’ve become a bit numb to horrific stories of startup (and academic) culture, and so I wasn’t all that shocked by Susan’s experience, but the matter-of-fact account, displayed with such clarity, was a joy (if you can say that about problematic stories) to read.
This book was so inspiring, so quick to fly through, and left me pondering many questions about speaking up, power and lifelong learning.
Brilliant.
j45rpm's review against another edition
5.0
I am appalled by the things Susan Fowler experienced at UPenn and Uber, and awed by her courage in writing about it. I hope she continues to find fulfillment and happiness in her current work—she has more than earned it. This book was powerful, well-written (an easy read), and well worth your time. Should be required reading for men in the tech and science fields, frankly.
kasaka's review against another edition
5.0
I only knew about Susan Fowler from the articles that came out and her blog post before reading this book. I learned a lot about her life and her point of view.
It really opened my eyes to the plight and challenges of females (and just people like the masses) at tech companies in general.
I really enjoyed her storytelling and I'm glad she's moved on with her life and seems to be very successful!
It really opened my eyes to the plight and challenges of females (and just people like the masses) at tech companies in general.
I really enjoyed her storytelling and I'm glad she's moved on with her life and seems to be very successful!
aura_sv's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't love the narrative style or some of the details about her love life, but I have to take my hat off in admiration for her courage and determination. Without women who dare to denounce the misogyny and systematic violence we live with, despite knowing the difficulties they will face, the rest of us would not be able to move forward, and society would not be able to change. This woman has admirable bravery!
aiyaivy's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyed learning about Susan Fowler's experience at Uber -- highly recommend people to check out her blog post for the general gist of what this book is about.
https://www.susanjfowler.com/blog/2017/2/19/reflecting-on-one-very-strange-year-at-uber?fbclid=IwAR0bLdA-j00MGYF1PRQW43p-NWYIbbmzimgsRyexT98BVds1E5ZakDBQgqY
https://www.susanjfowler.com/blog/2017/2/19/reflecting-on-one-very-strange-year-at-uber?fbclid=IwAR0bLdA-j00MGYF1PRQW43p-NWYIbbmzimgsRyexT98BVds1E5ZakDBQgqY
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, 1.) I thought the first half of Susan’s story of her upbringing and quest for education was waaaay better than the memoir Educated. It has similar vibes, but Susan’s was better written. If you liked Educated and survivor stories and how education changes lives you’ll really like this one! 2.) Holy, Moly!!!! Susan’s story kind of bummed me out because it reminded me of all the little and big ways women are discriminated and mistreated just for being women, and how dangerous speaking against that can be. Bravo to her for whistleblowing the grossness of Urber (I will never get over the manager chatting or leather jacket story) and also good for her for living her best life now! This was an excellent memoir. It’s also shorter read at just 250ish pages and I maybe hard skimmed the more technical coding explanations to get to the good stuff faster.
justinyan13's review against another edition
3.0
Dry at times, a bit prolonged. However, memoir was extremely insightful, and indicative of a troubling narrative/attitude in the workforce today, especially in big-tech. The constant hustle at all costs attitude will surely have long-term implications, and Uber is just one of the dominos to have already fallen.