• The Hard Thing About Hard Things

  • Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers
  • By: Ben Horowitz
  • Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
  • Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (14,288 ratings)

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The Hard Thing About Hard Things  By  cover art

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

By: Ben Horowitz
Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
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Publisher's summary

Ben Horowitz, cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley’s most respected and experienced entrepreneurs, offers essential advice on building and running a startup - practical wisdom for managing the toughest problems business school doesn’t cover, based on his popular ben’s blog.

While many people talk about how great it is to start a business, very few are honest about how difficult it is to run one. Ben Horowitz analyzes the problems that confront leaders every day, sharing the insights he’s gained developing, managing, selling, buying, investing in, and supervising technology companies. A lifelong rap fanatic, he amplifies business lessons with lyrics from his favorite songs, telling it straight about everything from firing friends to poaching competitors, cultivating and sustaining a CEO mentality to knowing the right time to cash in.

Filled with his trademark humor and straight talk, The Hard Thing About Hard Things is invaluable for veteran entrepreneurs as well as those aspiring to their own new ventures, drawing from Horowitz’s personal and often humbling experiences.

©2014 Ben Horowitz (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

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What listeners say about The Hard Thing About Hard Things

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Ben FTW

Finally, a book that tells it like it is. From the discussion about parting ways with a co-founder to the proper way to structure your organization - this book has it all.

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  • 07-23-16

Excellent Framework for talking about business

So I admit, I was skeptical. I started with "Wait, isn't this the guy that took the company that didn't exist and sold it to HP?" Hearing the story of how that happened, and how Horowitz navigated the challenges is one that as a former entrepreneur I could completely relate to. Well done!

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Unexpectedly Great

I don't generally like these type of books, so when my class gave me the assignment to read it i was not interested. But after listening to it on audible i was unexpectedly suprised. The story in the beginning intrigued me and got me to stay and listen to the whole book in one day. Even though its not my thing i still loved it.

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perseverance

Good read, lots of great experiences, mainly I hear the need to expect issues and endure through them. hire for today, decide quickly, and get the right people fir the task.

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Great storytelling

I loved the fact that Ben explains in detail the many experiences he has gone through and what resulted from each. His start to the book by meeting his best friend is a great analogy to apply to life.

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Founders, investors & managers must read

Top 10-business books of any kind. Good balance of practical advice, hard-earned experience and inspirational story telling. Like having a mentor in a book.

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This is the best book for any startup founder!

Would you listen to The Hard Thing About Hard Things again? Why?

Yes

Any additional comments?

If you are involved in a startup or considering starting your own company, this is a must read. This book is not only entertaining but filled with real world examples and solutions to many of today's business problems. I would read this one twice and buy the hard copy of the book because you should have it on your desk as a how to manual. www.NEO-Growth.com

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amazing

Loved The book, great source Of inspiration. Gives a different view in management and entrepreneurship

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Love this book

I run a 3 year old real estate investment company. We are still small but growing our portfolio rapidly. Even though this the author talks about technology start ups, the lessons taught are universal. I appreciated the tone of the delivery as well. He did not preach from on high or talk down to the audience. Rather, he acknowledged the never ending struggle and self doubt that is inevitable when venturing into places and roles you have never tackled before. I would recommend this book to anyone who is running or considering starting their own company provided their vision is to grow it into something bigger than themselves.

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Must read/listen book for entrepreneurs

I have read many books about building a business, but i love how the author tells it like it is. Building a business is hard, yet no one seems to talk about. Keep pushing and learn from your experience and experience from others.

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