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)

Intriguing

The story of Google is well laid out if not a little disjointed due to the number of events all happening in such a short period of time. If you enjoy stories where black and white can change to shades of gray then you will enjoy the insights into Google's story of rise and turmoil as they attempt to live out their ideals in the high stakes industry of high tech.

Okay history of Google...

I was expecting this book to be more about the culture in Google and how they work to make themselves great. This book is more of a history, and unfortunately the timeline continually bounced back-and-forth, making it very hard to follow especially in audio format.

Underwhelmed but engaging enough to pass some time

The China part was too long. Must have been interesting to the author. Editor must be too nice to be honest. If i ever hear the term 'Googley' again I'll jump off a bridge. To me, an abridged version would be better.

Excellent book - detailed view from the inside.

The author apparently had access to many people inside Google including several in top management.

It is interesting to hear how they think and function and the personalities and objectives of the two founders.

It is unfortunate that some of our public institutions are not so rational and data driven.

The objective of the founders appears to be to alter the world and this they have done, but they are clearly not finished. Read the book to discover some of the projects that they pursue principally for the benefits to society which may never benefit their company.

If you are a geek it is a 'must read'. If you are an investor you should read the book to understand what drives the company in which you have invested your money.

It is perhaps the best -non technical - book on current technology.

Jim Fuqua

Interesting

I do practically everything on Google so it was an interesting to listen for someone who appreciates their culture.

Informative, Engaging, and Provocative

Maybe it's because I have a background in technology, and lived in Silicon Valley for many years that I enjoyed the book as much as I did, but as a current small business owner in a non technology field, I found the marketing, human resource, and sociological elements of the text even more interesting. As a brief technology history lesson for computer scientists, this book is must-read material for students interested in making a difference in the world, creating the next big thing in science, or working for Google. Teachers, legislators, and parents becoming complacent about the US education system should find the book motivating and instructive. I doubt that Levy intended to weave the good vs. evil subplot in the book, but in the end you might wonder if Google became Google because it's culture dictated that it not be evil. Or was it because it had brilliant scientists who worked their tails off who will face and be tempted by evil again and again and eventually become (quintessential corporate slut) Microsoft anyway? Was the decision to pull government censored Search out of China the ultimate litmus test for Google's values? And if so, does that suggest that the world really should trust a private company that large with a digitized library of all of the books ever written? Or the next big thing from the Mountain View giant?

Intelligent design

The author weaves a well balanced story of creative genius and intelligent design. I like the fact that Google publicly strives to tackle impossible goals with data driven results. I also like that the author takes great pains to illustrate Google business failures in as much detail as their successes. Well done.

A fascinating story

Two young men made a series of brilliant decisions and largely stayed true to their vision of thinking very, very big. if there is a weakness in this book, it is that the author is a bit of a fanboy.

This is a company I interact with everyday.

Where does In the Plex rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Pull up a ball. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this googly story about the quirky history of Google and the people behind its making. It's a fun story.
This book ranks among the top ranks.

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

The Innovators. Because they are both about computers, programming, and the key people who played a role in advancing the science.

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

No. It was real easy to follow and understand his reading.

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

For the most part. It was interesting, well written, and kept me listening for hours. I finished it in two days.

Any additional comments?

The innovation and moral compass of this company make it a favoured company to do business with.

the Plex is complex ... no doubt !

It's great to be informed about that most ubiquitous technology that is in sooo much of our mobile/online lives.
I'm not a techie, but it's good to know of Google's philosophy & the founders' thinking as time rolls on.
And 3 cheers for Maria Montessori.
Here in Australia there are just a few Montessori junior high schools.
I believe a Montessori high school experience is sooo good for shaping & rounding young teens, the benefits compared to a regular high school curriculum are immeasurable !