The Upstarts

How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World

By: Brad Stone

Narrated by: Dean Temple

Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

A look deep inside the new Silicon Valley from the New York Times best-selling author of The Everything Store.

Ten years ago the idea of getting into a stranger's car or walking into a stranger's home would have seemed bizarre and dangerous, but today it's as common as ordering a book online. Uber and Airbnb have ushered in a new era: redefining neighborhoods, challenging the way governments regulate business, and changing the way we travel. In the spirit of iconic Silicon Valley renegades like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, another generation of entrepreneurs is using technology to upend convention and disrupt entire industries. These are the upstarts, idiosyncratic founders with limitless drive and an abundance of self-confidence. Led by such visionaries as Travis Kalanick of Uber and Brian Chesky of Airbnb, they are rewriting the rules of business and often sidestepping serious ethical and legal obstacles in the process.

The Upstarts is the definitive story of two new titans of business and a dawning age of tenacity, conflict, and wealth. In Brad Stone's riveting account of the most radical companies of the new Silicon Valley, we discover how it all happened and what it took to change the world.

©2016 Brad Stone (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Brad Stone's The Upstarts reads like a detective story: A page turning who-did-it on the creation of billion dollar fortunes and the ruthless murder of traditional businesses. No single book will tell you more about what life feels like inside companies like Airbnb and Uber as they grow from mere ideas into merciless machines for innovation, riches and unease. The sweat. The stress. The power highs of new instant fortunes. It's all here. You won't be able to put The Upstarts down. And when you finally do, you'll look at your own company and career in a totally fresh way." (Joshua Cooper Ramo, author of The Seventh Sense)

"In The Upstarts, Brad Stone has vividly captured the cultural and economic upheaval brought about by the latest generation of Internet superpowers. His book is a magnificent expose of how companies like Uber and Airbnb came to be, the people that profited and lost out along the way and the ramifications that this technology will have on the world for decades to come. Stone remains the preeminent chronicler of the Internet Age and a master story teller." (Ashlee Vance, author of Elon Musk)

Interesting Story, Average Narration

My 39th book on Audible. The story was good and told a compelling tale, but the narrator was only "average", compared to my other listens. Buy this Audible book for interesting insight but don't expect a knock-out narration.

Quite interesting

An in depth look at the people and the process behind Airbnb and Uber. As a fellow entrepreneur, I found it quite interesting.

Enjoyable

More enjoyable earlier in the story than at the end. Read like a journalist account. Would prefer a summary or conclusion at end.

I

excellent. but obama’s egregious legacy should have been expunged even as a timeline reference point.

Overextended

In total, the book is interesting, but could be shorter. In any case, good reading for understanding Uber's and AirBnB business approach, crucial role of entrepreneurship, struggling in political level for business development.

Interesting Narration of incidents as it happened

This book is an interesting narration of the incidents leading to forming of business like Uber and Airbnb. If you like reading such books then its for you.

Excellent research.

excellent, detailed research. A little bit long but all in all very captivating. highly recommended.

Superb Story!

Incredible insight into the minds and the experiences of the CEOs, founders and what each tech juggernauts went through on their respective roads to success.

Loved it

Very well written stories about Uber and Airbnb. Well read also...keeps you engaging. Loved it

Interesting and a good book

Where does The Upstarts rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I like the real life stories.

Who was your favorite character and why?

did not have one

Which scene was your favorite?

did not have one.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

too long

Any additional comments?

Good book if you like business stories.