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Winners and Losers

Creators and Casualties of the Age of the Internet

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About this listen

Winners and Losers tells the stories of some of the most innovative businesses of recent times, explaining how a few succeeded in creating and dominating entirely new markets while so many others die in today¹s ferociously competitive online era.

Explaining clearly, with many interesting examples, what contributes to success and failure in creating and developing a company. Levis shows how companies like Amazon and Google rose from nothing to enormous heights, while IBM, Kodak, and AOL plummeted from them; how Nokia bounced from near bankruptcy to global leadership; and it charts the incredible rise, fall, and rise again of Apple.

This is not a "how to succeed in business" textbook, but is far more interesting and more than accessible, even for those with no background in business or economics.

©2009 Keiran Levis (P)2010 Audible Ltd International Business Management

Critic reviews

"A highly intelligent, nuanced account and Levis" disclaimers are as salutary as his insights." ( CNBC Europe)
"A solid account of smart, nimble upstarts slaying old-industry behemoths and of flawed creative geniuses creating and destroying fortunes." (David Rowan, Observer)
"Compelling… Break-neck histories of the likes of Amazon, eBay and Google." ( Independent)
All stars
Most relevant
It has some footnotes with data from 2007 and 2008, but the book generally seems to be based on the state of the internet in 2005-2006 (hence the absence of even a passing reference to Facebook and Twitter). The author also decided not to devote a section to Microsoft.

One positive of the book being dated is that it includes chapters on Mosaik/Netscape and AOL which probably would not have been included in a more recent book (and these are very interesting sections).

The inclusion of a chapter on Sky TV and Nokia seemed odd, and a bit out of context.

The final 2 chapters are a bit ponderous and preachy.

Still, overall I do not regret buying, and listening to, this audiobook.

Very interesting but a bit dated and preachy

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This is a great history of some of the most famous companies in recent times. The narrator does indulge in unnecessary 'accents/impersonations' of characters which at times detracts from the content.

Highly recommended

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Really insightful book, but sadly the narration becomes disturbing with 'funny' voices and odd dialects.
When you learn to overcome the irritating narration, this book gives great insight in the scenarios from the early years of entering the age of digital technology.

Great book, bad narration :-(

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Exellent read for anyone interrested in business.

Exellent read for anyone interrested in business

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The narrator puts on ridiculous accents which gets quite annoying. The books jumps back and forth through time which got me lost in some cases.

Having said that, it was an interesting book, and I did learn insights into the key people and tipping points that lead to their success or failure. I gave it 4 stars for these mitigating factors.

Good but annoying accents

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