Amazon.com
Perhaps more than anywhere else, Silicon Valley in the latter part of the 20th century has come to represent the essence of the American dream. Its economy has resembled the various rushes and booms of the 1800s. The Valley is a unique place in a unique time, where just about anyone with a good idea, an aptitude for hard work, and a boatload of luck has a chance to make it big--really big. In The Nudist on the Late Shift, Po Bronson intends to capture the spirit of the Valley, leading us through a series of vignettes that takes us from a "near brush with sudden wealth" to a $400 million buyout; from life on the edge with a group of Java programmers to the plight of a futurist writer with the looming deadline for a 9,000-word article. For Bronson, the appeal of the Valley is this:
Every generation that came before us had to make a choice in life between pursuing a steady career and pursuing wild adventures. In Silicon Valley, that trade-off has been recircuited. By injecting mind-boggling risk into the once stodgy domain of gray-suited business, young people no longer have to choose. It's a two-for-one deal: the career path has become an adventure into the unknown.
Like Tracy Kidder's Soul of a New Machine, what makes Bronson's book work is a talent for narrative. He presents compelling stories about those who make it--for example, Ben Chiu (Killerapp.com, C/NET) and Sabeer Bhatia (Hotmail)--as well as those whom we'll never hear of again: the database salesman working on the "hockey stick" at the close of the quarter and the "kiss-ass entrepreneur" who's taken up COBOL programming to make ends meet. The Nudist on the Late Shift is for anyone who has wondered what life on the modern frontier is like--and for those who are already there, the reflection might be revealing. --Harry C. Edwards
Book Description
As a novelist and writer for Wired and other publications, Po Bronson has earned a reputation as the most exciting and authentic literary voice to emerge from Silicon Valley. In his national bestseller
The Nudist on the Late Shift he tells the true story of the mostly under-thirty entrepreneurs and tech wizards, immigrants and investors, dreamers and visionaries, who see the Valley as their Mecca. Taking us inside the world of these newcomers, brainiacs, salespeople, headhunters, utopians, plutocrats, and innovators as they transform our culture,
The Nudist on the Late Shift is a defining portrait of a new generation in the whirl of an information revolution and an international gold rush.
Po Bronson is the author of two novels and one book of nonfiction.
Bombardiers, a dark satire of high finance, was an international bestseller that was translated into twelve languages.
The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest, soon to be a feature film from 20th Century Fox, is a comedy of Silicon Valley. His third bestseller,
The Nudist on the Late Shift and Other True Tales of Silicon Valley, demonstrates that Bronson's wit and imagination apply as well to nonfiction as to fiction.
Customer Reviews:
Inspiration, educational, hilarious.......2007-10-20
A series of stories from the valley in the mid 90's by journalist who was there. My title pretty much sums it up. Very enjoyable reading.
Interesting profile of the silicon valley culture..........2007-08-27
Having lived through the tech bubble as a techie, but not ever spent time in the valley, the book was a good perspective on the heart of the tech culture.
My major issue with the book is that although extremely interesting and well themed, the stories are not fundamentally waved together tightly with the theme. Bronson started strong out of the gate, the first few chapters were humorous, funny and extremely fascinating, but the stories did not maintain their grasp on my attention as the book progressed.
If you are looking to understand the oddities of the tech culture that produced the technologies now ubiquitous in our culture: yahoo, netscape, even google... this is a fascinating read. If you're that not particularly intrigued by the valley, this is probably still interesting, but may not be worth wading through.
Bard of the Silicon Valley.......2007-06-20
I first read this book a month before my first visit to the Silicon Valley in 1999 to meet my Angel investor - another concept native to the area. I re-read this now after 7 years of living the Silicon Valley life. There is no doubt that Po Bronson is the best messenger that the Valley has. Whether you are an insider or an outsider, if you ever sat back and wondered "what the heck is the Silicon Valley", Bronson is your go-to guy. In an earlier review of a book by the same author, I likened Bronson's First $20 Million... about Silicon Valley to Michael Lewis' Liar's Poker about Wall Street. Being a collection of true stories, Nudist on the Late Shift is a more appropriate comparison.
The New New Thing by Michael Lewis lacked the novelty to quench the thirst of the Silicon Valley insider. The focus on Jim Clark's story, that too written after his 3rd billion dollar IPO, made it larger than life and failed to capture the essence of the Valley culture. The Nudist on the Late Shift covers the dozen people who are likely to be sitting around you at a Starbucks in Santa Clara on a warm and sunny day. It is a good balance of the haves-and-the-have-nots, the ones who made it and those who did not, yet all the ones that make Silicon Valley unique and not any that do not.
Even as a journalist for Wired, WSJ, NYT Magazine and Forbes ASAP, Bronson has always been able to look under the rugs and beyond the obvious in a manner that manifests originality, besides a deep understanding of and keen interest in the subject. Being a San Francisco resident and a Stanford grad, he has all the pre-requisites that one needs in order to write about this subject. Like every bard who loves to tell stories about his favorite thing, Bronson engages the reader with his edgy, cynical, witty and optimistic style.
Many of the books written about Silicon Valley in the hey-days of 1998-99 are largely obsolete now. This book suffers from the fever pitch of those days, and does not reconcile with the current environment. Yet, the essence of what Bronson has captured has stood the test of time. In a way, it is fortunate that he did so during the boom when that party was on steroids and the characteristics were magnified. The bucketing of stories and individuals into Newcomers, IPO, Entrepreneur, Programmers, Salespeople, Futurist and Dropout is a smart one. A good encapsulation of this place we know and love.
Wish I'd Discovered It 5 Years Ago.......2005-12-15
This book is riveting. I'd never heard of Po Bronson and knew little about the Silicon Valley .com era when I picked it up. Bronson's ability to build portrait after portrait of the individuals behind the .com era make this a page-turner. In the end, I'm not sure there's any other way to tell this story, but as the sum of its parts.
Fascinating -- But for the Wrong Reasons.......2005-01-02
By way of profiles of a dozen or so people, this book chronicles the so-called dot com boom in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1990s. It was an exciting time for the computer industry. Venture capitalists were throwing money every which way, and even a paltry idea could make someone with computer know-how quite rich.
I found this book fascinating for all the wrong reasons. I picked it up in a used book bin for a couple of dollars and devoured it, marveling that people used to live this way.
Bronson describes a handful of self-styled entrepreneurs. Reading this book, it's easy to see why the dot com bubble burst. None of these people are particularly interesting to anyone whose interests don't lie in the computer field. They are all single-minded: they like computers and, even more so, they like money.
The author seems enamored of the Silicon Valley, but reading his account, you wonder why. There is no community in the Silicon Valley. The subjects of this book toil away at their computer projects without any regard for the life around them or the community they live in.
I would glady read a sequel to this book. It would make fascinating reading if Bronson were to look up the subjects of this book and find out what they are up to now. Did they learn anything from the dot com demise? Has their narrow outlook on the world expanded any?
These questions could well be asked of the author as well. This is an insular little book, but a fascinating record of the times.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Technical Communication, published by Society for Technical Communication on February 1, 2000. The length of the article is 3696 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: TWO BOOKS ON SILICON VALLEY.(Review) (book review)
Author: Garret Romaine
Publication:
Technical Communication (Refereed)
Date: February 1, 2000
Publisher: Society for Technical Communication
Volume: 47
Issue: 1
Page: 110
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
Written for those who want to break away from rigid schedules, unappreciative bosses, and soul-sapping commutes, this book puts prospective Internet entrepreneurs on the road to success by offering an analysis of Internet mechanics and commerce and providing profiles of successful Internet businesses. Containing more than just technical information, this manual also helps the entrepreneur prioritize business goals and evaluate comfortable levels of risk, ensuring that the chosen business matches the aspirations of the entrepreneur. Each of the 101 business profiles includes promotion techniques for helping these start-ups get on the road to success, and a password for access to the companion website is provided.
Download Description
Written for those who want to break away from rigid schedules, unappreciative bosses, and soul-sapping commutes, this book will put prospective Internet entrepreneurs on the road to success. The basics of Internet mechanics and commerce are analyzed and followed by examinations of successful Internet businesses. Providing more than just technical information, this manual is also a guide to prioritizing what the entrepreneur wants to get out of the business and determining what level of risk is comfortable. This method ensures that the business chosen will match the goals and aspirations of the entrepreneur. Each of the 101 business profiles includes promotion techniques to help these start-ups get on the road to success.
Customer Reviews:
Book is O.K........2007-06-11
This book was O.K. There were many ideas to choose from but only a few good ones. Plus, there isn't much information on each business. You could find more ideas and a lot more information for free on the Internet.
outdated.......2007-03-30
Book is now outdated. Is a good reference or starting point for the novice. Good introduction to where things have come from... Things have changed quite a bit since publication as they tend to do on the net.
101 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home.......2005-10-12
Waste of Money...Don't buy this book its completly outdated and not a single business in 101 business listing is practical in today's life
More comprehensive than similar titles........2002-06-20
If you've ever dreamed of owning your own business but don't want to be tied down to a brick and mortar building, then this is the book for you. Starting an Internet business could not be easier with the help of the information provided. The book starts with interview information from three successful Internet businesses and then follows that with how to get your point across, the various formats for a storefront, required features of the successful storefront, payment options, and levels of e-business. From there it moves to helping determine what is important to you and how to use that to find the right business for you. From there it moves to the profiles of successful businesses. These profiles are complete with how to market the business, startup costs, skills needed, online examples, etc. It finally concludes with information on how to build your site, get it submitted to search engines, e-mail marketing, using links and pretty much just about everything that you need to know in order to get the business up and running.
Susan Sweeney, the owner of an international Internet firm, has produced a very thorough and easy to understand book. Probably the best book available today on starting an Internet business from scratch, it is a highly recommended read.
Customer Reviews:
Not too bad.......2000-09-27
The book is quite technical, includes lots of ideas about how to go about starting a home business. It is quite useful in a sense that it is easy to understand and follow, definitely worth the money and if you are wondering how to go about starting your own home business, this is the one book you needed.
Book Description
eBay is the world's #1 shopping destination-and growing every day! Streetwise Guide to Selling on eBay shows all the ins and outs of getting started in this lucrative sales channel. Readers will learn the best ways to:
Conduct eBay transactions
Track inventory and profits
Market products to beat the competition
Maximize profits
From developing an eBay business plan to increasing visibility once the business is up and running, this one-stop resource is all readers need to make their online business a success!
Customer Reviews:
Full Of Great Tips For The Start-Up Ebay Seller........2007-02-20
I just started selling on Ebay and i have, time and again, refered back to this book. Whether it be to find out what the benefits of an Ebay store would be, or to know how to properly shp an item, this book has had the answer for me. Most importantly it is organized in an easy-to-find and easy-to-read format. I give this book my highest recommendation! It's a winner.
Product Description
Book, Folder and 2 CD's
Customer Reviews:
Rip Off.......2007-03-03
This book will teach you a little about real estate notes in general BUT will NOT help you make any money!! Unless you are willing to spend a lot of time and $10k-$15k in marketing to find those few unhappy despirate note holders...don't waste you money. Most note holders like holding their notes becasue it pays them cash flow. Their coaching is also a rip off.
Average customer rating:
- A Great checklist -- forget about hiring a consultant
- Practical, comprehensive, must reading!
- A "must read" for anyone considering starting and owning...
- Required reading for any entrepreneur!
|
Business Start-Up Guide: How to Create, Grow, and Manage Your Own Successful Enterprise
Tom Severance , and
Becky Cogan
Manufacturer: Tycoon Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| Business Ethics
| Consolidation & Merger
| Decision-Making & Problem Solving
| Distribution & Warehouse Management
| Industrial
| Information Management
| Leadership
| Management
| Management Science
| Motivational
| Negotiating
| Operations Research
| Planning & Forecasting
| Pricing
| Production & Operations
| Project Management
| Quality Control
| Risk Assessment
| Statistics
| Strategy & Competition
| Systems & Planning
| Systems Analysis
| Teams
| Total Quality Management
| Training
Public Relations
| Marketing & Sales
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Small Business & Entrepreneurship
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Home Based
| Small Business & Entrepreneurship
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0965321207 |
Book Description
Comprehensive, easy-to-read guide on starting and growing your own business written by an Attorney, CPA, MBA, Entrepreneur, and Business Instructor. Chock-full of useful checklists and hot bullet points. Each chapter has three reader action steps to drive home the points. This book is your constant reference on creating, growing, and managing a successful business. Whether you are in the thinking, planning, or operating stage, you will gain creative new insights and learn many practical ideas that you can implement immediately.
Customer Reviews:
A Great checklist -- forget about hiring a consultant.......2001-03-01
What a source of knowledge?
A great book to learn, teach or help start a new business. It covers basic principles helpful not only if you are starting a business but if you are a stakeholder in an existing, new or forthcoming business.
If you already own or have partnership in a business this books helps you to see if there are any holes or if you missed something or find out why something is not working hte way you thought it would.
I learnt in this book about "How To" start a business that I didn't in the business school.
A GREAT GIFT.
Practical, comprehensive, must reading!.......1999-07-06
If I could trade in every start-up book for entrepenuers I own and keep this one I would do so in a heartbeat! The author is a mentor all entrepenuers can look to for practical advice and specific information. This book works with you every step of the way providing ideas for marketing strategies, finance management, and legal start-up issues. This book also helped me to view the written business plan as a creative planning tool and not just a required document for finacial institutions. There is so much information packed into this book that entrepeneurs in all stages of business development will turn to it again and again. I only wish the margins were wider to accomodate all my notes!
A "must read" for anyone considering starting and owning..........1998-01-14
This is an excellent, information-intensive book written and approached not only by an exceptional college business professor (who definitely is an authority on this subject) but a business/tax attorney with many years of experience. A "must read" for anyone considering starting and owning their own business. This is also a great book if you already have your business up and running and need some current ideas and information. Tom shows you not only how to find the information you require but also how to apply it. A road map for eliminating many problems and questions entrepreneurs are faced with. He's going to raise the business successes ratio with this new book.
Required reading for any entrepreneur!.......1997-12-25
After having jumped ship from a Fortune 25 firm many years ago, I became an entrepreneur with my own consulting business. In addition, several years ago I began teaching entrepreneurship at California State University, San Marcos. I am writing to rave about this "Business Start-Up Guide". It is an excellent resource for any entrepreneur, or anyone considering becoming their own boss. This book is an easy read with priceless, up-to-date information that can save us all a lot of time and mistakes. "Business Start-Up Guide" will be required reading in all my entrepreneurship courses in the future!
Book Description
Craft Business Basics: How to Start and Operate a Successful Home-Based Craft Business provides the information needed to launch a home-based craft business including working at home, making the business legal, and making a profit A successful career at home can happen and this book will explain how.
Average customer rating:
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Home Business Made Easy: How to Select & Start a Home Business That Fits Your Interests, Lifestyle & Pocketbook (Psi Successful Business Library)
David Hanania
Manufacturer: Oasis Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| Business Ethics
| Consolidation & Merger
| Decision-Making & Problem Solving
| Distribution & Warehouse Management
| Industrial
| Information Management
| Leadership
| Management
| Management Science
| Motivational
| Negotiating
| Operations Research
| Planning & Forecasting
| Pricing
| Production & Operations
| Project Management
| Quality Control
| Risk Assessment
| Statistics
| Strategy & Competition
| Systems & Planning
| Systems Analysis
| Teams
| Total Quality Management
| Training
General
| Small Business & Entrepreneurship
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Home Based
| Small Business & Entrepreneurship
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1555711642 |
Average customer rating:
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Home, Incorporated: How to Start and Operate a Successful Business from Your Home
Stuart Feldstein
Manufacturer: Grosset & Dunlap
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| Business Ethics
| Consolidation & Merger
| Decision-Making & Problem Solving
| Distribution & Warehouse Management
| Industrial
| Information Management
| Leadership
| Management
| Management Science
| Motivational
| Negotiating
| Operations Research
| Planning & Forecasting
| Pricing
| Production & Operations
| Project Management
| Quality Control
| Risk Assessment
| Statistics
| Strategy & Competition
| Systems & Planning
| Systems Analysis
| Teams
| Total Quality Management
| Training
ASIN: 0448120216 |
Average customer rating:
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How to Start a Successful Home Based Word Processing Business
Marianne Bradley
Manufacturer: Intl Information Assoc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Business Skills
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
| Business Math
| Public Speaking
| Secretarial Aids & Training
| Shorthand
| Typing
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0945510055 |
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