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on February 18, 2009
After reading the classic Programmers at Work (see below) back in the 1980s, then re-reading it again last year, I was a little disappointed with Founders at Work.
The book has the same interview format as Programmers at Work, this time mainly with web startup founders from the 1995-2005 period. There is some overlap with similar individuals interviewed in Programmers at Work, such as Dan Bricklin, Steve Wozniak, and Mitch Kapor. But mainly, you'll read about the guys and gals behind PayPal, Blogger, Yahoo, craigslist, Flickr, del.icio.us, etc. I was hoping for the same level of storytelling from the individuals interviewed--however, this time I found the stories to be flat, and uninteresting after awhile. This may just be an individual preference and bias, since many readers of this book won't have been influenced by Programmers at Work.
I would still suggest reading this one, but only after you've read Programmers at Work.
The book has the same interview format as Programmers at Work, this time mainly with web startup founders from the 1995-2005 period. There is some overlap with similar individuals interviewed in Programmers at Work, such as Dan Bricklin, Steve Wozniak, and Mitch Kapor. But mainly, you'll read about the guys and gals behind PayPal, Blogger, Yahoo, craigslist, Flickr, del.icio.us, etc. I was hoping for the same level of storytelling from the individuals interviewed--however, this time I found the stories to be flat, and uninteresting after awhile. This may just be an individual preference and bias, since many readers of this book won't have been influenced by Programmers at Work.
I would still suggest reading this one, but only after you've read Programmers at Work.
on January 2, 2014
This is a good book that provides a lot of insight into what it takes to start up a company. That being said, it is mostly directed at technology startups which I have less of an interest in. There were other examples of non tech startups but they were sparse
on December 14, 2016
Reading about the companies that you are familiar with and their early history is fascinating. However it's difficult to identify with some of the other, more obscure companies that you've never heard of.
on July 22, 2015
Good book, but a very heavy concentration on hardcore software companies. Probably a reflection of the type of companies which gained success prior to the current consumer internet/app boom.
on May 14, 2013
The two or three interviews that really inspired me made the purchase worth it. Haven't read a lot of the interviews because I didn't even know those companies or leave them in the middle because they got too technical talking about coding instead of entrepreneurship. Wondering if Jessica will release an updated version with the nowdays big successes.
on May 25, 2013
There were some really interesting start ups such as Trip Advisor . Some companies as well that have since gone bankrupt, bought out or whatever. All the examples were internet, software or technology related.
Maybe being an aussie I thought you could have some non-tech start ups based on a service or even property business.
Maybe being an aussie I thought you could have some non-tech start ups based on a service or even property business.
on December 1, 2013
It really didn't tell me anything I didn't already know about these people. It was an interesting read but not anything mind-blowing.
on June 30, 2013
If you are interested in starting a software company, it has some good pointers, but there was a lot of technical jargon and I would not recommend it to somebody unless they were familiar with software.
on May 10, 2013
Nice interviewing style with lots of relevant questions. The answers however are more than you average person can or is willing to stand at times. Maybe if you're a tecchie then this is heaven.
