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)

Clever, honest, and even inspiring

If you use Gmail, Google Search, Google Analytics, hell, any Google product at all, or you've ever been frustrated by the bureaucratic process, you owe it to yourself to check out this book.

A good listen overall

I enjoyed this audio book. My only gripes with it is that the reading is a tad slow, but 1.25x fixes that with little pitch issues.

As for the book itself, it offers a very good insight at the internals of Google as a company, it's culture and projects. However, it often feels propagandistic, and the whole book is biased towards making Google seem like the perfect place to work. I feel like the book would have been better if the author had kept an objective point of view, presenting the facts and stories without trying to justify Google's actions and motives.

Google Puff Piece

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This is not all an objective treatment. However, even with the author's reverence for the

Would you recommend In the Plex to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes and no: it's competent but nearly hagiographic. VERY few opposing viewpoints. I would bet that Google traded access for guaranteed favorable treatment.

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

Outstanding narration.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

The author would have been well-served to leave out the Obama-centric chapters near the end of the book. They add very little and sound too much like mainstream Obama puffery: according to Levy, the President's main problem is just being too darn rational.... Yeah, right.

Authoritative Read of THE Google Book

Mr. Levy wrote THE definitive book about google and his insights are fascinating. It is also clear that he was given access to individuals and documents that had previously not been available to other authors. The resulting story is a balanced book not just a love note to Google.

The Narration by Mr. Ganser is pitch perfect! He is authoritative and clear. Even when the book drags just a bit Mr. Ganser's narration keeps you involved and listening.

Google is a fascination.

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

I could be biased because I am truly fascinated by Google and it's early employees, now all household names. This book is well researched and well written and well read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator's voice blends with the authors, perfectly. The POV is vaguely favorable, but that meshed with my own perception of this company and its founders. For the most part I found it unbiased and well-founded.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Such a wonderful glimpse into the early beginnings of tech stars of the silicon valley. They are all my favorite characters.

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

Not sure.

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

Not that sort of book.

love this book

great narration. so motivating. listened to twice now. I love the big thinking Google illustrates in solving problems. a company Trying to do good for people first over trying to profit.

MissionAry not mercenary???

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

The narrative it uses to explain step by step where Google comes from, it's vision of helping the world, the paradigm shift it's business model established in the IT market (applying the principles of the Long Tale), it's struggle in the social network arena vs Facebook and book digitalizing with Amazon.

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

In certain point, when I realized they were becoming the Big Brother of the World, disguised with sheepskin

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Missionary NOT mercenary, it is for you to decide

Engaging Google 'history', with business insights

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

I was surprised at how interesting the story of Google was. It made me ponder some of the underlying factors that made Larry & Sergei succeed, such as their Montessori education. The approach to data mining is fascinating for most anyone interested in improving their business. I was familiar with Schmidt from his Novell days and so it was good to see where he fit in.

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

Understanding some of the Google functionality and excellence that I had taken for granted. Getting a feel for the Google 'culture' was helpful for me too.

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

Reading about the Google experience in China.

Excellent insight into where we are

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

The look at how Google and other new wave companies think

What did you like best about this story?

An understanding of how the various products came together, and how it has shaped the way we live now.

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

No

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

It wasn't that kind of book

Great Job Explaining History

Would you listen to In the Plex again? Why?

I would encourage anyone to listen / read this book! It is amazing how much Google does that we do not know about. Before one could want to downplay or target Google for being Goliath (#1), try to read this book first and understand their views fully. Infact I'm more encouraged to learn more.