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)

Fascinating look inside of Google!

Any additional comments?

This book gives you a fascinating insight into Google, which was very thought provocting to anyone that is starting a business. Google's model was to build things to work fast and to be able to multiple on a LARGE scale all while maziming the efficientcy of their workforce by providing such things as free meals, gym memberships etc.

There is just the right about technical discussion without getting too "Geeky" and loosing the listener. The narrator is easy to listen to.

Highly recommend it!

Wow-who knew

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

I was extremely enamored with this book. It was amazing how google came to be and the path they took to grow as successful as they did. The wins, losses, and overall decisions that shaped google make this a great read and and quite frankly, a book I never expected to really enjoy.

Have you listened to any of L. J. Ganser’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Whats behind the curtain of secrecy of Google

I almost believe that Google has become a extension to my brain (I know that sounds crazy) but as information is key and google provides that better than anybody else. But understanding how they managed to provide such a incredible user experience is key to the companies success through its culture, and outside the box thinking. This book exposes the culture which is were Google seems to provide the winning algorithm. Like in the "Wizard of Oz" when Dorothy see the man behind the curtain, this book is Toto pulling the curtain aside exposing a lot of Google's secrets. A fascinating read.

Enlightening

I agree with the majority of other reviewers, it is very good, so I will use the remainder of my words to make a suggestion which I hope others will echo.

In addition to the spoken audio books, Audible should make pure Text-to-Speech books available. This would allow publication of a greatly expanded selection and substantially reduce the publication cost and hopefully the cost to we the consumers.

Good book to learn about Google

I like getting the story behind the headlines. If you are wondering why Google does what it does, this book is worth a listen.

Fantastic

Would you listen to In the Plex again? Why?

This was a fantastic read; recommended for all. One time around is all i need.

Great Book - But Author Loses 2 Stars

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Would take out illogical comments and nonsense about Obamacare. (see additional comments below).

Who was your favorite character and why?

Larry and Sergey.

What about L. J. Ganser’s performance did you like?

Easy on the ears.

Who do you think would benefit most from listening to In the Plex?

Those who want to know about Google. (see additional comments below).

Any additional comments?

I just finished

amazing story

all that you wanted to know about Google and how things happen inside in this one comprehensive and enthralling story.

definitely a nust read / hear for everyone who has ever been touched by Google.

best business book i ever read

What did you love best about In the Plex?

The insight into the industry and the company

What did you like best about this story?

How they developed world class products

Any additional comments?

Wish this book was available seven years ago---would have made a fortune on the stock

Facinating book!

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

The subject matter and in depth information.

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

This book was exciting to me. To hear about the beginning of the company and then the shear innovativeness was great.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book if you are interested in what Google is doing and how the do it or excited by stories of innovation and perseverance.