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on January 18, 2017
An interesting read for a non-techie. Jack Mah's perseverance in trying various enterprises in China without the benefit of the internet is well described.
The description of the volatily of the .com start- ups was hair-raising for the uninitiated. The convergence of sheer luck, keeping your powder dry and recognition of opportunities in addition to hard work made Jack so successful. He proved that western companies have a lot to learn about the Chinese business climate.
Written in a way that was understandable for for the low-tech reader.
The description of the volatily of the .com start- ups was hair-raising for the uninitiated. The convergence of sheer luck, keeping your powder dry and recognition of opportunities in addition to hard work made Jack so successful. He proved that western companies have a lot to learn about the Chinese business climate.
Written in a way that was understandable for for the low-tech reader.
on October 8, 2016
In Alibaba, Clark winds back the hands of time and gives you a front row seat to the frame-by-frame unfolding of one of Asia’s supernovas, the namesake of the book. Lyrically infused with verbatim quotes from alternative technology icons of our day, Clark’s narrative weaves together eye-catching headlines and Chinese mythology in sepia vignettes, so authentic that the “Jack Magic” in the scene palpably streams forth from the pages of the book.
Telling the story of the founder, Jack Ma, illustrating Ma’s philosophy and praxeology, the “Jack Magic”, and illuminating the role it played in Alibaba’s runaway success is where Clark shines. Clark’s discussion of the business environment, competitor strategies, and the later maturity of the internet industry indicates a lack of knowledge and insight, with various actors coming across as dry and two-dimensional. It feels tedious to read.
While the narration leaves much to be wanted in several departments, the story itself inspires, and the zeitgeist of a few key moments are well preserved. As a Stanford graduate student and Silicon Valley resident, I found a window into an entirely different world - a different dogma - of entrepreneurship; refreshing in a scene where a multitude of playbooks and listicles have converged a set of what seemed to be immutable rules.
Telling the story of the founder, Jack Ma, illustrating Ma’s philosophy and praxeology, the “Jack Magic”, and illuminating the role it played in Alibaba’s runaway success is where Clark shines. Clark’s discussion of the business environment, competitor strategies, and the later maturity of the internet industry indicates a lack of knowledge and insight, with various actors coming across as dry and two-dimensional. It feels tedious to read.
While the narration leaves much to be wanted in several departments, the story itself inspires, and the zeitgeist of a few key moments are well preserved. As a Stanford graduate student and Silicon Valley resident, I found a window into an entirely different world - a different dogma - of entrepreneurship; refreshing in a scene where a multitude of playbooks and listicles have converged a set of what seemed to be immutable rules.
on May 3, 2017
Whilst this book is focused on Jack Ma, it is also a story of the development of the web in China and the role of foreign companies like eBay and Yahoo, as well as assorted investors.
Overall it makes the story stronger, but the depth of Ma suffers for it. Also, certain parts could do we a re-edit, for consistent split between the notes and the main text.
All in all a good time capsule, well worth picking up as a history rather than a pure biography
Overall it makes the story stronger, but the depth of Ma suffers for it. Also, certain parts could do we a re-edit, for consistent split between the notes and the main text.
All in all a good time capsule, well worth picking up as a history rather than a pure biography
on January 5, 2017
I guess the three star review was directed more at Jack than the author.
This guy Jack seemed at first to be nice and innovative. But I cannot get past what he did to Yahoo, which I read as taking a low road out of a difficult situation. Also, I cannot understand how he would rationalize stealing a company from his shareholders (the AliPay ordeal). When this scandal breaks out, he changes the subject and throws his Japanese partner under the bus for not paying his employees.
I started the book biased in favor of Jack, but now I don't think I would invest in any of his companies.
Regarding the author, who am I to judge him? All I will say is that I enjoyed a lot more the storytelling styles from other biographies such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.
This guy Jack seemed at first to be nice and innovative. But I cannot get past what he did to Yahoo, which I read as taking a low road out of a difficult situation. Also, I cannot understand how he would rationalize stealing a company from his shareholders (the AliPay ordeal). When this scandal breaks out, he changes the subject and throws his Japanese partner under the bus for not paying his employees.
I started the book biased in favor of Jack, but now I don't think I would invest in any of his companies.
Regarding the author, who am I to judge him? All I will say is that I enjoyed a lot more the storytelling styles from other biographies such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.
on September 3, 2016
Disliked the book from page 1. Really quite boring and didn't offer any interesting nuggets about himself, the startup or crazy/fun stories. If you want to start your own company and want to understand what's involved this would be a good book. But for entertainment I wouldn't suggest it.
on April 21, 2017
Good read about his life and conditions in China which have a major impact on why Alibaba is so successful in China. Interesting to see how many of the entrepreneurs grew up in marginal conditions.
on October 8, 2016
Duncan Clark presents a readable and often gripping account of the rise of Alibaba, one of China's iconic firms and an aspiring global giant. It illuminates all the contradictions and opportunities of the new China, from tensions between government ministries and firms like Alibaba which are pushing into areas such as finance and media once dominated by government, to the fierce competition between e-commerce and media giants within China that will help shape the country's future and its further engagement with the world. Should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding China and its global trajectory.....
on September 13, 2016
I started my journey 12 years ago in China when I landed in Hangzhou and remained their for 2 years before moving onto Shanghai, where I am now based
I took tour groups to Alibaba HQ from almost the first year and heard all the great stories. For me, this book is important as it helps me tie those great stories together and reconfirms once and for all what a visionary Jack Ma is.
I took tour groups to Alibaba HQ from almost the first year and heard all the great stories. For me, this book is important as it helps me tie those great stories together and reconfirms once and for all what a visionary Jack Ma is.
on December 26, 2016
An absorbing, well-written tome about the history of Alibaba (China's Amazon) and the world of e-commerce/finance in China today. Topics covered include background on the life and education of Alibaba's most famous co-founder, Jack Ma, and how he began as an entrepreneur. The author actually interviewed Mr. Ma and his colleagues for this book.
