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  • The Upstarts

  • How Uber, Airbnb and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World
  • By: Brad Stone
  • Narrated by: Mr Dean Temple
  • Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (459 ratings)
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The Upstarts cover art

The Upstarts

By: Brad Stone
Narrated by: Mr Dean Temple
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Summary

New York Times best-selling author of The Everything Store Brad Stone takes us deep inside the new Silicon Valley.

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 are household names: redefining neighbourhoods, 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, a new generation of entrepreneurs is sparking yet another cultural upheaval through technology. They are among the Upstarts, idiosyncratic founders with limitless drive and an abundance of self-confidence. Young, hungry and brilliant, they are rewriting the traditional rules of business, changing our day-to-day lives and often sidestepping serious ethical and legal obstacles in the process.

The Upstarts is the definitive account of a dawning age of tenacity, creativity, conflict and wealth. In Brad Stone's highly anticipated and riveting account of the most radical companies of the new Silicon Valley, we find out how it all started and how the world is wildly different than it was 10 years ago.

©2017 Brad Stone (P)2017 Penguin Random House UK

What listeners say about The Upstarts

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Not for me

So this book was interesting in a way that it goes into depth of their journey of uber etc but probably not what I was expecting so rushed it and it felt long. I didn't know what I was expecting but I didn't connect; it's not a bad book but just not for me. It's good if you wanna imagine the reality of an upstart & its trials & tribulations. Respect to the author but I am prob not your correct audience.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Definite must read for all entrepreneurs

Definite must read for all entrepreneurs with big dreams. Great insight into big mistakes not to make or how you should or shouldn't run a business.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

great history of Uber and Airbnb

I loved this because of the depth it goes into right from the inception of the two companies. Blow by blow, highs and lows, interspersed with great stories. Not an adulatory approach at all, more of an even account that leaves you to form your own opinions. might be too detailed for some, but easy to skip over those parts. Def worth a read of the subject matter is of interest.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • LC
  • 15-04-18

Poor narration of an interesting story

I found the story is very interesting due to the subject, although it is written in a way that isn't very engaging.
However, it is really ruined by extremely poor narration, sounding is if the narrator is completely bored by what he is reading and can't be bothered.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Indispensable, A Must for all Entrepreneurs

So many facets of proactively preparing for growth pangs opened up that my business plan draft changed drastically and unrecognizably by the time I was done listening to this book. In the day and age of data breaches, wildly moving customer sentiments and newer regulations around the treatment of data, this book also touched upon how to prepare for unforseen changes. I've been working on one of my own startup ideas for months now, thought if reading this book among others to gain critical insights into what others have done that could be changed... This book touches upon most of the aspects, business growth, fund raising, owner co-founder synergies, and ultimately, pragmatism over idealism.

Totally worth my time and investment. Highly recommended alongside "Creativity Inc." by Ed Catmul, give yourselves some time, folks.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My favourite audiobook of 2017 (out of 100s)

Would you listen to The Upstarts again? Why?

Yes. Really great reveal of disruptive business and the wrestle between success and challenge. Well researched, balanced & motivating

Who was your favorite character and why?

All 4 of the main protagonist companies

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The title: "The Upstarts" perfectly relevant

Any additional comments?

A great mix of motivation to grow and disrupt in your own space, fun, educational, unique & balanced. A great piece of work.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Started strong

Started strong - and it as clearly very very well researched - but i have to admit it did get a little tedious in the second half. Still a good book if you are interested in the formation of huge companies.

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Real insight into the world of the Upstart

If you are fascinated by the recent uprising of the sharing economy heavyweights - Uber & Airbnb - then this book will really appeal.

The 2 stories run alongside each other, which helps illustrate the speed of growth and briefly references the competition they faced throughout this period.

Personally, I was more interested by the insight into the characters of Travis Kalanick and Brian Chesky - what drove them to success and how they challenged city law-makers & resistance from competition... who knows what will happen next!?

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting insight into these recent unicorns

I liked hearing about the various challenges that the founders encountered, it was also entertaining to hear how they repeatedly tried to skirt regulation. I was particularly fascinated by how they approached being threatened by legal action and how they dealt with competition.

I would recommend this audiobook, the content was good and the performance was clear and engaging.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating insights

I really enjoyed listening to this, the huge successes of uber and Airbnb have been a mix of hard work, unforeseeable events and rock solid core beliefs in their business ideas by their founders.

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