Hold on tight, bring snacks, and stop to go potty before you start, you're not going to want to put this down. This was an unusual type of book for me, and I really really enjoyed it. Book#1 was a freebie on BookBub and that led (as I'm sure was intended) to purchases of books #2 and books #3. Detailed in a fast-flowing way, interconnected in not-so-obvious or hit-you-over-the-head obvious ways, and stuffed full of information on a world (new business start-ups, financing, IPO's... all of it) about which I have no more knowledge than your average news consumer who lives near Silicon Valley. As a side note, it had enough info in there to sound REALLY smart, and enough info so that I could grasp the story line. Some of the other reviews really harped on how excellent that information was... I don't know, it was just a great story with a perfect amount of time spent educating the reader. Side note: The writing from book 1 through book3 improves, the style improves, and Book #1 is very well done to begin with, so that SAYS something! Thank you Eliot Peper!

Uncommon Stock is a really, really good book -- and for a number of different reasons. First, characters --oddly those things which annoyed the two-star reviewer about Mara Winkel are exactly those things I think praiseworthy. As a (supersmart) junior in college, she's a very convincing work-in-progress, and the less admirable aspects of her character -- her impulsiveness, over-confidence, and tantrums are keys to the unfolding story. Second, background -- who knew how weirdly complicated starting a company could be? The author writes with style and authority about the how-to's of entrepreneurial derring-do; and makes it all sound interesting (no small achievement, as I hate math and know nothing about business), As I would rate the writing itself just between good and great, I would give the book 41/2 stars -- I don't really believe that it's possible to ignore that many phone calls/ e-mails, and all the parents are still a bit card-board-y and way-too-easy-going. The premise is cool, the suspense excellent -- I ordered book 2 the minute I finished book 1. Write faster, Mr. Peper. I need book 3 tomorrow . . .

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast and I’m glad I got the opportunity to get it as I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is well thought out and well written. The characters are interesting and while it take a while, do have some growth by the end of the tale. I work for a startup so I enjoyed getting to see all of the back office work and drama that goes into building a company and how the characters worked (or didn’t) to try and resolve their issues. Reading the story it felt very real to me. While I did find the story line interesting, since the primary part of the story is the building of Mosaic Industries I didn’t find the plot to be very thrilling or mysterious, but I finished it in three days so you can tell my enthusiasm for tale. My biggest issue with this book is that it doesn’t tell a complete story. There is a giant cliffhanger at the end trying to get you to go into the next version of the story which is one of my pet peeves. Other than that I can’t recommend this enough, especially for anyone who thinks they want to start their own company.

Loved this book. Will purchase the follow-up to see what Mara and James are up to. Both Mara and James are college dropouts who have started a new software company that will among other things help companies and banks uncover money laundering and fraud. If you ever wanted to start a new company, there is some interesting data included. Mara and James are likable and very smart. Try the book. I think you'll like it.

At 242 pages long with 69 chapters, each chapter is only about 3.5 pages which makes it feel like a quick and easy read. It is not great literature, but it is fun and full of excellent advice and quotes. For example, here is a consistent theme throughout the book:

<blockquote>Most startups fail because their teams implode, not because their products sucked.</blockquote>

I love it. So true. People often are consumed with worry about externalities: funding and customers and revenue. They rarely spend a second thought looking inside at themselves and their team. At one point in the book, the protagonist walks out furious in her first business negotiation. Then her advisor asked her this simple question:

<blockquote>What would you think of a CEO who walked out on a critical negotiation with a key employee because she got angry?</blockquote>

Beautiful. And anybody who has ever tried to do fundraising can instantly sympathize with this part of the book:

<blockquote>I’ve been cranking away at this fundraising effort for three months now with nothing to show for it. I know it can take time. I’m sure my expectations were somewhat out of touch with reality. But that doesn’t help. Everyone wants to talk, buy me a coffee, and hear our story. Everybody has friends they think might be interested. But nobody’s willing to make a goddamn decision! I follow up and within a couple of weeks most people just drop off the map.</blockquote>

But my favorite passage from the entire book was when the advisor was explaining to Mara about his great failure, how his company blew up and what it meant to him:

<blockquote>“Mara, it’s not an easy life. It breaks you down, builds you up again, and crushes you flat. Great works require great sacrifice. It can be addicting as all hell and I can’t imagine anything more satisfying. But you’ll be able to count the grey hairs and the age lines. And the holes. You’ll be able to count the holes you’ve dug yourself into. Don’t forget there are people out there who will help, who will extend a hand to pull you up. You just have to let them. That’s the hardest part, especially for entrepreneurs.”</blockquote>

I’ll finish with a simple choice quote that has some deep truth in it.

<blockquote>Hold on to that fear. That’s an important feeling. That fear is part of what will drive you to figure your s*** out.</blockquote>

Uncommon Stock is loads of fun and I highly recommend it. If you have never started a company before, it gives you an authentic taste of what its like. If you have started a company before, it is fun to go along for someone else’s roller coaster for a change.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Given that it is Eliot’s first novel, there is still room for improvement in the writing style. The conflict between Mara and her main opponent was not as strong as it could have been. But overall it is terrific fun and the first chapter of the sequel (included as an epilogue) seems like he is setting up his second book to be a real nail-biter.

Buy the book. Now, before you forget. It is a fun read and you will learn a lot.