Good

Narrators voice is quite annoying. Speaks slow but very nasal. Not my style but the content of the book was very enjoyable. Last few chapters lost some momentum. Highly recommended.

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An incredible story poorly told.

I’m going to start by saying that this book is a very well researched, thoughtful and nuanced retelling of a fascinating true story.

The problems for me are twofold; Ryan Holiday (the author) narrates this book. As skilled as Holiday is as a writer his speech on this title is monotone, pauses in odd places and sounds robotic, so much so that I would have sent this back unfinished if it weren’t for the fact that the story itself is relevant and engaging.

My second frustration with this listen is that Holiday makes dozens and dozens of references to other situations, politicians, writers and historical events. Among many others the references are as diverse as the writing of Sun Tzu, many former presidents, military strategy of WW2 and so many more. Whilst I do understand the importance of ensuring that a true story is both relevant and placed within a historical context there are so many references here that they become an unwelcome distraction, as a reader it felt that I was being patronised too - that Holiday assumes the reader/listener wouldn’t be able to form connections, inferences and conclusions independently. Much of it was unnecessary padding.

This is a shame, after listening to this I have every admiration for Holiday as a writer. This is not a project that I could have researched and written about, Holiday has my full admiration for his attention to detail. I do think that Holiday should have written with the confidence to write the story, which he does very well without the need to continually qualify his assertions.

These criticisms notwithstanding this is a parable for our times. Undoubtedly it raises many questions about free speech in the internet age, personal privacy and the power of wealthy individuals to manipulate the law and wider society. To some extent this story is still unfolding, it would be useful to revisit the effects of the events in this book a decade from now.

It is worth sticking with this.

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4 people found this helpful

Delivery lets it down

This is a competently written insight into the fascinating decade long conspiracy to take down a media empire. However the audiobook is severely let down by the decision too allow the author Ryan Holiday to perform the reading. Typically I enjoy authors reading their work as the tend to provide additional insight, but this is certainly not the case here. Holiday reads like a child struggling through an unfamiliar text. The paused and emphasis are bizarre and disjointed. I tried playing at 1.5 speed which did improve delivery somewhat but this performance should have never been allowed to make it past a publisher.

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Excellent enthralling recommended

This is definitely the best book I have read for many years. The story is terrific while including lots valuable comments on life

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Great Goliath vs hidden Goliath story, but....

Really enjoyed this well researched story about Thiel vs Gawker with enough detail and certain amount of philosophizing to make it into one of my favourite books this year from a content perspective. A good amount of detail, yet also a good amount of reflection on various interpretations of facts presented.


However, the narrator's strength of slow reading when conveying details becomes soporific when using the same slow methodical intonation to relate the exciting, surprising and weird that also regularly occurs in the book

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Great story; enjoyed it.

really interesting and thought provoking. Thought Ryan's narration was a bit off cadence at times.

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1 person found this helpful

Highly recommended

Such a well written and researched book. I knew the story before but it flows like a thriller mixed with amazing insight. This is one of those books I will talk about a lot and will recommend to others.

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Interesting story undermined by author’s strange staccato delivery

This is an interesting tale...it covers many contemporary themes...however...the tale is not...well read...by its author.

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Ryan Holiday is a wonderful author

Ryan Holiday is a wonderful author and has a great tone for reading audio books. This book brought a new topic to my attention and it kept me interested throughout.

Very insightful

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Interesting but told too slowly

If you enjoy good narration then you will not enjoy this book. You will frequently find your self repeating sentences in your mind with the emphasis placed in the correct place. Disappointing given that it is narrated by the author.

It is an interesting story but it could be told in 4 hours rather than over 10!

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