Invent and Wander

The Collected Writings of Jeff Bezos, with an Introduction by Walter Isaacson

By: Jeff Bezos, Walter Isaacson - introduction

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

In Jeff Bezos' own words, the core principles and philosophy that have guided him in creating, building, and leading Amazon and Blue Origin.

In this collection of Jeff Bezos' writings - his unique and strikingly original annual shareholder letters, plus numerous speeches and interviews that provide insight into his background, his work, and the evolution of his ideas - you'll gain an insider's view of the why and how of his success. Spanning a range of topics across business and public policy, from innovation and customer obsession to climate change and outer space, this book provides a rare glimpse into how Bezos thinks about the world and where the future might take us.

Written in a direct, down-to-earth style, Invent and Wander offers listeners a master class in business values, strategy, and execution.

Each insight offers new ways of thinking through today's challenges - and more importantly, tomorrow's - and the never-ending urgency of striving ahead, never resting on one's laurels. Everyone from CEOs of the Fortune 100 to entrepreneurs just setting up shop to the millions who use Amazon's products and services in their homes or businesses will come to understand the principles that have driven the success of one of the most important innovators of our time.

©2021 Jeffrey P. Bezos; introduction copyright 2021 by Walter Isaacson (P)2020 Gildan Media

Expected more

Too much repetition. I was expecting more insights from Jeff. It would have been nice if Jeff narrated some of it.

A great and inspirational book

A great book that I found to be developmental and maturative for a young man coming of age such as myself. I found this book to be relatable and generally highly intelligent! I found great relation with the protagonist’s archetype that was present and I further highly recommend this book.

Way too long.

The same things are repeated at least 3 times, after a while it becomes almost annoying hearing the same stories or fun facts.

Disappointed

I love Jeff Bezos and the Amazon company. However, the book was a combination of past letters and species. There was no nothing new. if you want to save time and money to read this book, simply read all the letters that Jeff Bezos wrote to the shareholders meeting all the way up to 2020. I think that if you read the Wikipedia page from Amazon and from Jeff Bezos, you will have the same information contained in this book. It's not that it's a bad book, is that I expected something original and not past letters and past speeches. I do not recommend this book.

Disappointing

I love learning about our visionary contemporaries. This book is done like a lecture of facts. Very little insight on Bezos....

Good book but very repetitive.

You’ll hear the same 3 or 4 stories over and over. The stories are all very interesting the first and possibly even the second time you hear them.

Should’ve taken the reviews seriously

If you are looking to listen to Jeff’s letters to shareholders, this is great. But I’m pretty sure I can just read them for free online somewhere. Same as everyone else said, 80% of the book is just old letters to shareholders.

Little repetitive but great messages

The book tends to repeat stories from his past quite frequently, but they’re very powerful and influential stories in this life so in a way it drives home the message a lot more 

Majority of this book is word by word repetition

I felt that this book was broken at times after hearing the same sentences (word by word) time and time again. Quite frustrating and mediocre really.
For example Jeff’s long walk with his (former) boss, in Central Park was narrated at least five times. So much I can quote it “it’s a good idea Jeff but it would be a better idea for someone who didn’t already have a good job”

An approximation to Amazon and Jeff Bezos

Through the letters to shareholders and other writings you can see key elements of the company.