In the Plex

How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives

By: Steven Levy

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 19 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Few companies in history have ever been as successful and as admired as Google, the company that has transformed the Internet and become an indispensable part of our lives. How has Google done it? Veteran technology reporter Steven Levy was granted unprecedented access to the company, and in this revelatory book he takes listeners inside Google headquarters - the Googleplex - to explain how Google works.

While they were still students at Stanford, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin revolutionized Internet search. They followed this brilliant innovation with another, as two of Google's earliest employees found a way to do what no one else had: make billions of dollars from Internet advertising. With this cash cow (until Google's IPO, nobody other than Google management had any idea how lucrative the company's ad business was), Google was able to expand dramatically and take on other transformative projects: more efficient data centers, open-source cell phones, free Internet video (YouTube), cloud computing, digitizing books, and much more.

The key to Google's success in all these businesses, Levy reveals, is its engineering mind-set and adoption of such Internet values as speed, openness, experimentation, and risk taking. After it's unapologetically elitist approach to hiring, Google pampers its engineers with free food and dry cleaning, on-site doctors and masseuses, and gives them all the resources they need to succeed. Even today, with a workforce of more than 23,000, Larry Page signs off on every hire.

But has Google lost its innovative edge? It stumbled badly in China. And now, with its newest initiative, social networking, Google is chasing a successful competitor for the first time. Some employees are leaving the company for smaller, nimbler start-ups. Can the company that famously decided not to be "evil" still compete?

No other book has turned Google inside out as Levy does with In the Plex.

This edition of In the Plex includes an exclusive interview with Google's Marissa Mayer, one of the company's earliest hires and most visible executives, as well as the youngest woman to ever make Fortune's "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" list. She provides a high-level insider's perspective on the company's life story, its unique hiring practices, its new social networking initiative, and more.

©2011 Steven Levy (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Thoroughly versed in technology reporting, Wired senior writer Levy deliberates at great length about online behemoth Google and creatively documents the company’s genesis from a 'feisty start-up to a market-dominating giant'.... Though the author offers plenty of well-known information, it’s his catbird-seat vantage point that really gets to the good stuff. Outstanding reportage delivered in the upbeat, informative fashion for which Levy is well known." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"The book, a wide-ranging history of the company from start-up to behemoth, sheds light on the biggest threats Google faces today, from the Chinese government to Facebook and privacy critics." ( The New York Times)

“With a commanding voice, L.J. Ganser narrates this history and exploration of Google….Ganser’s stern voice is clear and moves through the text with determination.” ( AudioFile)

I want to quit my job and work for Google

What made the experience of listening to In the Plex the most enjoyable?

The story s complex, and the timelines of different chapters overlap, but Levy stayed on topic while keeping the story in order. We get insight into the people, machines, ideas, and principles that make for a one of a kind complex organization.

What other book might you compare In the Plex to and why?

Outliers. The whole company is an extrodinary example of what exceptional people can do when they work hard and get lucky.

Which character – as performed by L. J. Ganser – was your favorite?

He does no characters, just reads the story. But he does a great job at that.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The chapter on China. The company prided itself on is morals which up that point were pretty easy to follow. They had to change from "Don't be evil" to pickiing the most beneficial choice. As the chapter unfolds this balancing act get more and more complicated.

Any additional comments?

If anyone at Google reads this and wants to hire a trauma surgeon, please call...

Truly Insightful!

This is a book that truly seems to reveal the soul of Google. Steven Levy did an excellent job researching this book. He also did an excellent job telling the story. I did not find it to dry and dull as I have found with many other books in this genre.

I found myself driving further than needed just so I could keep listening to this book in my truck.

Even more than you want to know about Google

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to someone who is as infatuated with Google as I am. I would not recommend this book to the average reader or Googler as it is way more detailed than the average person cares to know. For me, it was exciting and enlightening to hear of the inner workings of the company and it's people.

What does L. J. Ganser bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't think Ganser brought anything to the story. I'm not sure I would have ever sat down and read the book, but it was an easy listen while doing other things (driving, biking, etc). There are not really any characters to

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely not. I really needed a break after about an hour or so. It is not a nail biting story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is more of an informative reading full of information to digest as you go along.

This Book ROCKS!

Google is a name that evokes powerful emotions among many people, typically either strongly positive or negative. The author did an incredible job being objective, yet providing a deep inside look into Google. The author did not shy away from the tough issues, and even asked insiders about them directly. The authors writing style is excellent, and captivated my attention. The performance of the narrator is also second to none. I've consumed a lot of audio books in my day, and this is one of the best I've ever enjoyed. Highly recommended.

Great book

This book is excellent research of the Google ins and outs. I learned so much more about the company's philosophy, Googlers, and the nature of products I am using for years. It's a lot to take away for inspiration. Thanks.

A Rip Snorting Story

Steven Levy has successfully gathered all the details necessary to tell the story of Google - to the present in early 2011. The most interesting sections deal with Google's experience in China, insights into the Google culture in the US and abroad, and how particular decisions were made from the beginning. The growth of Google is here, conflict along the way is presented, and the ethical and technological challenges covered. The only downside of the book - it is too early to know how Google will adjust to being a a "big company." A benefit of the Audible version is the "extra" interview section at the end. The reading of L. J. Ganser is excellent, the writing is engaging, and the book informative.

Great for the stories.

More of a "20/20" investigation of Google than anything else. Does assume you have the name familiarity that he does which can get difficult to follow at times.

20 hours is a long time to explain only a decade, and there is some redundancy.

The stories, are excellent. Steven obviously had an "all access" path in Google. If you have any questions about this company, or consider them on any level, there is information in this you'll be excited to hear.

I learned therefore I loved....

This book is interesting and informative. It's historical and at the same time nicely considers current events and future prospects. The interview was a fun surprise!

Very Interesting & Current

Not sure I would enjoy this as it's not my typical fare, but it was on sale. I have found this story of google to be most fascinating. Even though it is 20 hours, I have not been bored and the topic is so relevant to the tools I use in my everyday life. Chrome, maps, calendar - all part of my life and now I know where they came from & how they got here. So much of google has been run right and creativity has run rampant. I would highly recommend this book.

Searching for Google

If you could sum up In the Plex in three words, what would they be?

inspiring, educational, futuristic

What was one of the most memorable moments of In the Plex?

How they told investors that Google was going to be worth Billions, even though it was a free online search website.

Which character – as performed by L. J. Ganser – was your favorite?

all

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

It just inspired me to dream bigger, there are many moments when you just cannot believe how big Larry and Sergey thought.

Any additional comments?

Great book to see the inside of Google from the start up. Seeing how the company runs really makes me want to change the way the corporate I work for, why must we work from 8-5? why don't we get free food? why don't we have a day to work on something that inspires us? All these things grows passion for the company and in the end makes us want to do our job better.