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  • Hatching Twitter

  • A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal
  • By: Nick Bilton
  • Narrated by: Daniel May
  • Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (287 ratings)
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Hatching Twitter cover art

Hatching Twitter

By: Nick Bilton
Narrated by: Daniel May
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Summary

Since 2006, Twitter has grown from 100 obsessive users to more than 500 million today - over 32 million of those in the UK alone. But how did such a radical transformation happen in just five years, and what does it mean for business, politics and the internet?

With unprecedented access to some of the major players in this unique drama, acclaimed New York Times business and technology columnist Nick Bilton chronicles the key figures who helped build the company, and who ultimately struggled to manage the influence and power they had been handed.

A business story like no other, it will shock, inspire and expose. Or, in 140 characters, 'The Twitter Story: How a company built on betrayal & battles for power became a multibillion dollar business & accidentally changed the world.

©2013 Nick Bilton (P)2013 Penguin Group USA
  • Unabridged Audiobook

What listeners say about Hatching Twitter

Average customer ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

More interesting than I'd anticipated

Having been hugely impressed with Nick Bilton's latest book - American Kingpin - I decided to read his previous book, albeit that the subject of Twitter didn't seem that exciting. In fact, the Twitter story is gripping not just because of the characters and boardroom dramas that Bilton brings to life so brilliantly, but also because Twitter is a key example of the businesses that are transforming our world. Perhaps it is another side effect of QE, but it takes my breath away to see a business losing millions of dollars a year to actually pay for a service that it gives free to its users, making zero revenue yet fighting off investors who want to give it more money (and own part...even Al Gore).

Unfortunately, the narrative stops in 2012 (the book was published in 2013) before the Twitter IPO, when skies were blue and the company was projected to be worth £100 billion in the near future. For the story since - valuation at $18b at the time of the IPO (November 2013) and the subsequent slide to $10b today, you have to Google for yourself. The book cries out for a new edition with an epilogue, though maybe this would be starting to paint a Forth Bridge for Bilton.

Narration. Professional. Good co-ordination of stops with shortish chapters.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Pulp!

Would you try another book written by Nick Bilton or narrated by Daniel May?

This book is all about moaning little children, emotional unstable personalities. In other words it is from begin till the end unworthy. It seems to tell more about the negativisme of the author.It is impossible that Twitter would have arrived the company it is, with such a bunch of unstable little children.I started the book out of interest in what inspired and moved the creators of Twitter. An interest in the business. I haven't found any of that. For all positive thinking people: don't waste a minute of your attention to this book.Just gossipy people may like it.What publisher could be so foolish to publish such pulp?

What could Nick Bilton have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

An author chooses the setting: this was just about emotionally adrift silly mentals.That is not a way to write; it is the author who chooses to write that way.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

pure waste of time and attention for anybody with a proper interest in the Twitter company

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Decent book, but felt incredibly biased

Wasn't this book funded by Ev to smear Jack? Certainly feels like it. Took me a while to get through it.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

could have been better

Decent book, however very little topics covered on how the challenges at twitter were fixed.
more focused on the friendship side of story that brought twitter to life.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

...not as interesting as his book American Kingpin.. ..

It is worth a read. It wasn’t as good as some of his other work, but that was mainly due to the fact the story in this book just wasn’t as interesting. However, it is very well written and the author does an excellent job of writing it as if he were a fly on the wall for all of the events that unfold. He is good at getting inside people’s minds. He doesn’t just throw a bunch of facts at you.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Rivetting

What made the experience of listening to Hatching Twitter the most enjoyable?

This was a fascinating read. I feel so bad for Noah Glass, and I wonder if Jack Dorsey is really as horrible a human being as he is portrayed as?

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite book for quiet long time.

Would you consider the audio edition of Hatching Twitter to be better than the print version?

No, I love audio books. I listen to audiobooks while driving, cooking, biking walking....

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hatching Twitter?

Visit of Russian president at Twitter office.

What about Daniel May’s performance did you like?

Yes, was very good. I like when the voices of different persons change slightly but it must be a subtle change. Daniel does this perfectly.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, like never before when I finished this book (while driving) I just did not start next book of turn on the music, I was just digesting the story. Like in cinema after good movie people stay seated so did I.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great insight to boardroom infighting.

Really well told story of meagre beginnings and friends to billions and back biting rivalries.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

Absolutely fantastic from beginning to end! Brilliantly written account that keeps you wanting more. Highly recommend,

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Addictive

Addictive, page turner and absolutely pleasure to listen to. Each different voice the narrator did was instrumental to understand the emotion behind.

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