A revealing memoir from Tom Perkinsrenowned venture capitalist, Silicon Valley and biotechnology pioneer, and one of Americas most successful ...
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reviews
Sep 21, 2011
Herve
rated it: 
Tom Perkins is one of the icons of Silicon Valley. I have not read yet his new autobiography but Andre Mercanzini, a colleague at EPFL, just mentioned to me an interesting podcast from VentureVoice. Here is Perkins’ views about why Silicon Valley is unique:
The difference is in psychology: everybody in Silicon Valley knows somebody that is doing very well in high-tech small companies, start-ups; so they say to themselves “I am smarter than Joe. If he could make millions, I can make a bi More...
The difference is in psychology: everybody in Silicon Valley knows somebody that is doing very well in high-tech small companies, start-ups; so they say to themselves “I am smarter than Joe. If he could make millions, I can make a bi More...
Jan 05, 2011
Jonathan
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Perkins is a Valley Icon, but this memoir is not particularly substantive. There is some talk of the tumult at HP during the Fiorina reign and a few interesting anecdotes about the early days of HP and Kleiner Perkins. However, there are also random somewhat patronizing chapters about his love for sailboats and sports cars. Diverting at times but not the deepest of books.
Jul 23, 2009
Dot
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If you LOVE silicon valley, you will like this book. I love the lure of technology and the many amazing minds that are the energy of the most amazing place on earth. Great stuff about the early days of Hewlett Packard. Some of the chapters are more personal and lend more toward an autobiography, less about the evolution of the valley. I enjoyed it.
Nov 12, 2008
Richard
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I enjoyed reading this book from Kleiner Perkins co-founder Tom Perkins. It is a varied book, going from his love of yachting, the love of his life Gerd (his first wife), his marriage to romance novelist Danielle Steele, and some fascinating looks into his business life - e.g. he was an early employee at HP. Some quirky stories too, like the guy who invented a revolutionary chip that held megabytes of data, but who died the day after Perkins closed an investment deal and his 'secret sauce' was n
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Feb 15, 2010
Doug
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Lots of good stories, especially for events that occurred before my time, as well as the recent soap opera at HP. Perkins doesn't suffer from a lack of self-esteem, which might have been a problem for a longer book, but you can read this one in a single sitting. I think I'll skip his novel.
Jan 16, 2009
Bart
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A fascinating story of a brilliant man who followed his gut and was right most of the time. He is cocky and brash but would not have succeeded as he has without that drive to be the best and always looking for the next great challenge.
Jan 31, 2012
Sarah
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Excellent on so many levels. Read if you're curious about how to make it in Silicon Valley, want a glimpse of social mores in 1950s San Francisco, or need advice on how to behave in a French courtroom. This was a quick, engrossing read.
Sep 07, 2008
Allen
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This was a great swath of early Venture Capital in Silicon Valley told by one of the first. The education, experience, success, and ego of Tom Perkins makes a terrific subject. Entertaining, informative, chatty, and behind the scenes. His short marriage to Danielle Steele was a screamer yet revealing. All of us should be so smart and lucky as Tom Perkins. This man has accomplished so much regardless whether you love him or hate him. I loved it.
Dec 30, 2008
Liz
rated it: 
So far, my take is that Tom Perkins is a better scientist than writer, but he has led a very interesting life. The book is at its best when he talks about board-room machinations, or scientific discovery.
I don't really care that he is so into cars or sailing, but good for him for finding something interesting to do with all that time and money.
I don't really care that he is so into cars or sailing, but good for him for finding something interesting to do with all that time and money.
Nov 12, 2008
Chris
rated it:
You have to appreciate what Tom Perkins has accomplished to enjoy this book. He's a Venture Capitalist that defined much of how venture capital firms work today, married for a short time to Danielle Steel, and the owner of the largest and most expensive yacht in the world.
Nov 08, 2011
Nic
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An enjoyable and well written romp through Perkins' life. Nothing terribly inspiring or surprising though (beyond his remarkable achievements).
Hence three stars
Hence three stars
May 31, 2008
Constantine
rated it:
Interesting series of vignettes from one of the most important figures in venture capital. Mostly fun & frolicking, occasionally gets into business.
Jan 16, 2008
Loving it. Great man from humble beginnings to become one of the worlds most influential, powerful men.
Sep 29, 2011
Sep 26, 2011
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