The Google Story

By: David A. Vise, Mark Malseed

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

"Here is the story behind one of the most remarkable Internet successes of our time. Based on scrupulous research and extraordinary access to Google, the book takes you inside the creation and growth of a company whose name is a favorite brand and a standard verb recognized around the world. Its stock is worth more than General Motors’ and Ford’s combined, its staff eats for free in a dining room that used to be run by the Grateful Dead’s former chef, and its employees traverse the firm’s colorful Silicon Valley campus on scooters and inline skates.

THE GOOGLE STORY is the definitive account of the populist media company powered by the world’s most advanced technology that in a few short years has revolutionized access to information about everything for everybody everywhere.
In 1998, Moscow-born Sergey Brin and Midwest-born Larry Page dropped out of graduate school at Stanford University to, in their own words, “change the world” through a search engine that would organize every bit of information on the Web for free.

While the company has done exactly that in more than one hundred languages, Google’s quest continues as it seeks to add millions of library books, television broadcasts, and more to its searchable database.
Readers will learn about the amazing business acumen and computer wizardry that started the company on its astonishing course; the secret network of computers delivering lightning-fast search results; the unorthodox approach that has enabled it to challenge Microsoft’s dominance and shake up Wall Street. Even as it rides high, Google wrestles with difficult choices that will enable it to continue expanding while sustaining the guiding vision of its founders’ mantra: DO NO EVIL."©2005 David A. Vise; (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

“[The authors] do a fine job of recounting Google’s rapid rise and explaining its search business.”—The New York Times

“An intriguing insider view of the Google culture.”—Harvard Business Review

“An interesting read on a powerhouse company . . . If you haven’t read anything about one of today’s most influential companies, you should. If you don’t read The Google Story, you’re missing a few extra treats.”—USA Today

“Fascinating . . . meticulous . . . never bogs down.”—Houston Chronicle

Excellent Recent History

If you're at all interested in Google's history and future direction, this is a great audio book. It's interesting through-out and well paced. I also really enjoy the narrator - he's got an "easy to listen to" voice.

nice story

Starts out great then as the company grows, the author reduces information and stories, but it is as expected. Okay if you like computers as I do, or want to hear of a riches to greater riches stories.

Riveting

Admittedly I'm in the business of e-business so a deep look at Google was naturally going to be of interest. What surprised me most where/are the sheer metrics of this enterprise. Learns lots enough I know lots about it. The 10+ hours flew by.

Stimulating

This is one of the greatest success stories of recent times. With the dawn of the new century, Google came from nowhere and lead by Brin and Page became a great technology company rivaling Mircosoft. The book is very well written and each aspect of the lives of Brin and Page related to Google is well documented. It is great to see how these twenty year olds with their unorthodox thinking created one of the most admirable companies in the world. Must read for all audible listens.

Good from start to finish

I enjoyed every minute of this book from start to finish. It offers an interesting perspective into Google on both a business and personal side. I've used Google many times without ever giving any consideration into the origin of the website, how it operates or it's long range business plan. This book offers a unique insight into the personal and business sides of it's founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. And provides many interesting behind the scenes details, that hold your interest throughout the entire book. This was my 4th Audible book, and was my best so far.