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.
Badger the Burglar
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to.
ThoughtTrailblazer
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§ I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
VisionVortex
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Lewd Dice
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Flint
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment.
Accidental Genius
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ
Renegade Slugger
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
Flint Cast-Iron
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress.
The Belgian
Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Patton Digger
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Alberta
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Toy Dogwatch
π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
RetroMirage
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
NemesisX
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§ ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Sly Silvermoon
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Kawaii Red
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§
Pinball Wizard
The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Tan Stallion
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Lime
Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§ Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
RiddleRanger
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
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