Book description
Shortlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Named a Best Book of 2022 by The Economist "A gripping fly-on-the-wall story of the rise of this unique and important industry based on extensive interviews with some of the most successful venture capitalists." - Daniel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal "A must-read for anyone seeking to understand modern-day Silicon Valley and even our economy writ large." -Bethany McLean, The Washington Post "A rare and unsettling look inside a subculture of unparalleled influence." --Jane Mayer "A classic...A book of exceptional reporting, analysis and storytelling." --Charles Duhigg From the New York Times bestselling author of More Money Than God comes the astonishingly frank and intimate story of Silicon Valley's dominant venture-capital firms--and how their strategies and fates have shaped the path of innovation and the global economy Innovations rarely come from "experts." Elon Musk was not an "electric car person" before he started Tesla. When it comes to improbable innovations, a legendary tech VC told Sebastian Mallaby, the future cannot be predicted, it can only be discovered. It is the nature of the venture-capital game that most attempts at discovery fail, but a very few succeed at such a scale that they more than make up for everything else. That extreme ratio of success and failure is the power law that drives the VC business, all of Silicon Valley, the wider tech sector, and, by extension, the world. In The Power Law, Sebastian Mallaby has parlayed unprecedented access to the most celebrated venture capitalists of all time--the key figures at Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins, Accel, Benchmark, and Andreessen Horowitz, as well as Chinese partnerships such as Qiming and Capital Today--into a riveting blend of storytelling and analysis that unfurls the history of tech incubation, in the Valley and ultimately worldwide. We learn the unvarnished truth, often for the first time, about some of the most iconic triumphs and infamous disasters in Valley history, from the comedy of errors at the birth of Apple to the avalanche of venture money that fostered hubris at WeWork and Uber. VCs' relentless search for grand slams brews an obsession with the ideal of the lone entrepreneur-genius, and companies seen as potential "unicorns" are given intoxicating amounts of power, with sometimes disastrous results. On a more systemic level, the need to make outsized bets on unproven talent reinforces bias, with women and minorities still represented at woefully low levels. This does not just have social justice implications: as Mallaby relates, China's homegrown VC sector, having learned at the Valley's feet, is exploding and now has more women VC luminaries than America has ever had. Still, Silicon Valley VC remains the top incubator of business innovation anywhere--it is not where ideas come from so much as where they go to become the products and companies that create the future. By taking us so deeply into the VCs' game, The Power Law helps us think about our own future through their eyes.
Double Eerie
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver โ no more losing my place in the story! This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Grinch Cheese
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read โ this app is always ready. ๐ก Balancing learning and living effortlessly โ audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! ๐ง๐ซ ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Combining fitness and fiction โ this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. ๐ฑ๐
RedMouth
Effortlessly exploring new worlds โ this app's design is user-centric and efficient. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ๐๐
Tough Nut
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. Effortlessly exploring new worlds โ this app's design is user-centric and efficient.
ForumFlare
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read โ this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. ๐งโโ๏ธ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks โ mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. ๐งโโ๏ธ๐ง Audiobook pleasure simplified โ this app's design is a true winner. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Firefly Caramel
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
RetroMirage
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Walking and listening has never been this smooth โ this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ๐๏ธ๐
Snowflake Pixie
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
ManBreaker
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Frosty Squid
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youโre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Flotsams54
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks.
Troubled Pie
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. ๐ง Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs โ this app has it all! ๐๐ผ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
Campfire Mama
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Shade Nightman
๐ง My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ๐๐ณ โฐ Maximizing my time with efficient features โ this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. ๐โณ ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Kitchen
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app โ it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Bravo to the creators of this app โ they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ๐๐ ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
Lucky Martian
ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
BlacKitten
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
Gentle Avenger
๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure โ I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ๐๏ธ๐ ๐ฑ An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts โ it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ๐๐ก Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Bambi Benz
๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ๐๐ This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Canine Hannibal
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Walking has never been this productive โ exploring new worlds while I exercise! ๐๏ธ๐ซ The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience