IN LITTLE MORE THAN HALF A DECADE, Facebook has gone from a dorm-room novelty to a company with 500 million users. It is one of the fastest growing...
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Sep 22, 2011
Otis
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This is a book that every entrepreneur definitely needs to read, and everyone who works even remotely with Facebook needs to read. It does a simply amazing job going behind the scenes of Facebook and describing where the site came from, how it got to where it is, and where it's going.
The author had amazing inside access to Mark Zuckerberg and other key Facebook employees and investors. Very smart of Facebook to include David so often - it makes their story fully open, which is cons More...
The author had amazing inside access to Mark Zuckerberg and other key Facebook employees and investors. Very smart of Facebook to include David so often - it makes their story fully open, which is cons More...
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Aug 11, 2011
This is an amazing book in all ways! I can't praise it enough! It is a must read for all, including a history of Facebook as a concept and a company, an in-depth look at the technology industry including venture capitalists, and a detailed exploration about the developing role and potential power of social media and where it may lead us, as a globalized community, in the near future.
This book is well written by an insightful author who knows the technology industry and has a wise perspective th More...
This book is well written by an insightful author who knows the technology industry and has a wise perspective th More...
Aug 22, 2011
Teri
rated it: 
Welcome to Zuckerberg – Pop: 350 Million.
Everyone who’s anyone these days is on Facebook. From President Obama (the social networking utility was credited with his election success) all the way on down the line. Mainly of course, Facebook is used by millions of nobodies desperately wanting to be somebodies – therein lies its global success. Its popularity, even its publicity – given its all too regular name-checking in everything from court cases to worldwide turns of events, is a virtu More...
Everyone who’s anyone these days is on Facebook. From President Obama (the social networking utility was credited with his election success) all the way on down the line. Mainly of course, Facebook is used by millions of nobodies desperately wanting to be somebodies – therein lies its global success. Its popularity, even its publicity – given its all too regular name-checking in everything from court cases to worldwide turns of events, is a virtu More...
Jul 23, 2011
Lijo
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I love reading books about internet companies. Books like Boo-Hoo about the erstwhile boo.com and The Google Story about Google and was looking forward to this book aout Faceook when I read about this for the first time in TechCrunch. The writer seems to glorify Mark Zuckerberg and seems be a huge facebook fan and so many things in this book are biased towards facebook and may not be the true story. However this book is a fascinating account about the growth of facebook from the dorms of Harvard
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Jul 12, 2011
Daniel G
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As I reread the book in this new movie tie-in edition, I thought I'd share my insights on this fresh read without looking at my earlier review.
David Kirkpatrick writes with insight into not only what happened in Facebook's history but in how it's grown to just shy of a billion users worldwide. First: it's less a company and more a country. You don't hide behind cutesy usernames, you use your real identity. As such, Facebook is made up of real people and the problems they bring, thus More...
David Kirkpatrick writes with insight into not only what happened in Facebook's history but in how it's grown to just shy of a billion users worldwide. First: it's less a company and more a country. You don't hide behind cutesy usernames, you use your real identity. As such, Facebook is made up of real people and the problems they bring, thus More...
Mar 20, 2011
Carrie
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Fascinating, and I enjoyed this book much more than The Social Network movie. I'd highly recommend it to anybody interested in new media. I've heard some criticize this book as being far too glowing, and I guess maybe Kirkpatrick did "go native" in a sense given the access he had - it is clear how much he admires Zuckerberg and Facebook. However, Kirkpatrick is a journalist and this book is very well-reported and offers a level of detail and insight into the founding of the company and
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Dec 31, 2010
Michael
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Kirkpatrick's The Facebook Effect is a journalistic approach to the development and changes in Facebook as a platform and company since its inception. The book is easy and fairly quick to read, and chock full of details. At times, I think it was a bit too heavy on advertising approaches and financial issues, but overall, it was enjoyable. The book also serves as a nice counterpart to the dramatized The Social Network, and provides some factual accounts that the movie glosses over, dramatizes, or
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Dec 17, 2010
Kathy
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I read the Accidental Billionaire a few months ago and even though I thought it was almost a tabloid sort of book about the founding of Facebook, I was still completely captivated to learn how Facebook was started. I was so intriqued by the founding of Facebook that I wanted to learn more. Did Zuckerberg steal the Facebook idea from the Winklevoss twins? Did he swindle his friend Eduardo out of the company? How much is Facebook worth in real dollars? The Facebook Effect, written by a technolo
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Nov 20, 2010
Cynthia
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An interesting read, though it was about twice as long as it needed to be. It is unbelievable the number of companies begging to put money by the millions into FB, and also amazing that the CEO Mark Zuckerberg has resisted so many opportunities to sell and become very wealthy - or to even go public with an IPO. Having been in the world of IT for so many years, I was blown away by the numbers of users being added every day - at one point a million. Yes, a million. It sounds like they only had a c
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Nov 04, 2010
Mike
rated it:
El libro es entretenido y muy informativo sobre un fenomeno con el cual casi todos tenemos que ver: Facebook. Como la mayoria de los libros que he leido sobre la formacion, estado actual y futuro de mis empresas favoritas (y FCBK lo es) la mejor parte en lo personal es el inicio, ese momento del "EUREKA" que algunas personas tienen en su vida, y este es un eureka de 15000 millones de dolares!
Se ve que el escritor es de confianza de Zuckerberg lo cual es bueno porque nos da mu More...
Se ve que el escritor es de confianza de Zuckerberg lo cual es bueno porque nos da mu More...
Oct 23, 2010
Nicole
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The is a fascinating, well-researched book about the history of Facebook. The author, David Kirkpatrick, was the senior editor for technology and internet at Fortune magazine and he clearly spent a lot of time writing about Facebook throughout the company's short history. He and Farebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg obviously respect each other. Kirkpatrick had unlimited access to Facebook staff when writing this book and Zuckerberg gave Kirkpatrick the only interview before f8, the convent
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Oct 10, 2010
T.
rated it:
It's hard to comprehend an internet user who hasn't heard of Facebook, sure there are many out there who don't feel the need to use the application, and some who stubbornly resist signing up for various reasons (usually privacy fears or strange phobias of their friendships being somehow changed irreparably by the experience) but the chances are that if you've logged onto the World Wide Web you're familiar with the phenomenon known as Facebook.
In this work, Kirkpatrick takes us throu More...
In this work, Kirkpatrick takes us throu More...
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Sep 13, 2010
JD
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David Kirkpatrick’s The Facebook Effect is two books in one: a surprisingly riveting narrative tale of the early days of “the facebook” from its launch at Harvard, viral growth at campuses across the nation and move to Silicon Valley (coming to a movie screen to you on Oct. 1: The Social Network); and a sobering assessment of how Facebook is changing our culture, from attitudes about privacy to the long-term effects of transparency and over-sharing. The book was my favori
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Sep 12, 2010
David
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A lot of things about facebook are a mystery to me.
Not how to use the service or why it is so popular, but why the pages have so few ads on them; how were they able to scale so smoothly; why have they never listed publicly ?; how do they make money ?; why were they so ignorant of the privacy implications of what they did ?
Well this book went a long way to answering these questions.
The answer to these questions is Mark Zuckerberg.
Zuckerberg's driving force More...
Not how to use the service or why it is so popular, but why the pages have so few ads on them; how were they able to scale so smoothly; why have they never listed publicly ?; how do they make money ?; why were they so ignorant of the privacy implications of what they did ?
Well this book went a long way to answering these questions.
The answer to these questions is Mark Zuckerberg.
Zuckerberg's driving force More...
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Aug 04, 2010
Ted
rated it:
Just finished this in-depth look into the history of the Social Empire aka Facebook.
First impressions: Wow, would I have loved to work at Facebook in it’s early years. Kirkpatrick frames the company as a forward-thinking-let’s-change-the-world-we-can-do-it-but-we-still-love-partying-because-we’re-all-21 kind of place. The bit about Mark Zuckerberg not looking up from his computer while working, only responding in IMs made me think back to a time when my friends and I would LAN togeth More...
First impressions: Wow, would I have loved to work at Facebook in it’s early years. Kirkpatrick frames the company as a forward-thinking-let’s-change-the-world-we-can-do-it-but-we-still-love-partying-because-we’re-all-21 kind of place. The bit about Mark Zuckerberg not looking up from his computer while working, only responding in IMs made me think back to a time when my friends and I would LAN togeth More...
Jul 28, 2010
Facebook world
Tracing the birth and mushrooming growth of the site and how it’s reshaping relationships and society
By Ethan Gilsdorf, Boston Globe Correspondent | July 11, 2010
Facebook has become, for many, home sweet home on the Web. It has nearly blasted MySpace and other social networking sites into obsolescence. When last checked, Facebook was, after Google, the world’s second most visited website.
But more than just market share, Facebook has More...
Tracing the birth and mushrooming growth of the site and how it’s reshaping relationships and society
By Ethan Gilsdorf, Boston Globe Correspondent | July 11, 2010
Facebook has become, for many, home sweet home on the Web. It has nearly blasted MySpace and other social networking sites into obsolescence. When last checked, Facebook was, after Google, the world’s second most visited website.
But more than just market share, Facebook has More...
Jul 26, 2010
Blog on Books
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Somehow now seems like the perfect time for an all encompassing report on both the history and state of social networking behemoth Facebook. Having experienced what can only be described as torrid growth – closing in on a half-billion users – while still taking in private money prior to a much anticipated eventual IPO (2011?), Facebook is unquestionably the most important social utility to ever hit the web.
In the newly released, ‘The Facebook Effect,’ former Fortune magazine technolo More...
In the newly released, ‘The Facebook Effect,’ former Fortune magazine technolo More...
Jul 07, 2010
Tim
rated it:
Somehow now seems like the perfect time for an all encompassing report on both the history and state of social networking behemoth Facebook. Having experienced what can only be described as torrid growth – closing in on a half-billion users – while still taking in private money prior to a much anticipated eventual IPO (2011?), Facebook is unquestionably the most important social utility to ever hit the web.
In the newly released, ‘The Facebook Effect,’ former Fortune magazine technolo More...
In the newly released, ‘The Facebook Effect,’ former Fortune magazine technolo More...
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Dec 26, 2011
Heidi
rated it:
Wanna know what makes my heart race when I’m on Amazon? The name of a respected author next to a picture of a nerd turned entrepreneur with “inside story” in the tagline. I needed to breathe into a paper bag before this book was in my cart.
And this time love at first sight was right. The only reason why I’m stopping at 4 stars is because it didn’t change me, my life or do anything else profound. Though I did tweak my FB privacy settings afterwards.
If you want to More...
And this time love at first sight was right. The only reason why I’m stopping at 4 stars is because it didn’t change me, my life or do anything else profound. Though I did tweak my FB privacy settings afterwards.
If you want to More...
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Oct 15, 2011
Caitlin
rated it:
Wow. I don't know that this book can be overstated. What I loved about this book was not just how much I learned, and how much it explored my different concerns about Facebook, but also how much it made me think, and how much more I felt understood the beginnings of Facebook (as much as one really can). It's well-researched, well thought out, and really clearly explained. It is the best business book I have ever read, and maybe partially so because the history and the "feel" of the Fac
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Dec 30, 2010
Richard
rated it:
I came away from this book more informed about Facebook and more impressed with its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Although in many ways it's like a hagiography of Zuckerberg. I'd bought the book earlier in the year, but only got around to reading it over Xmas. It's basically an official biography, written in co-operation with Facebook and Zuckerberg. As a result it offers few critiques of the company or its founder; and doesn't dive into touchy subjects like privacy at great depth. For example with priva
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Mar 06, 2011
Ms. Myers
rated it:
Though it does definitely have a bias towards Mark Zuckerberg (almost reminiscent of a father talking about his son), it is rather interesting to learn what went on behind the scenes. Since I started college in 2005 and essentially "grew up" with Facebook, I can remember each new feature added and my own response to it. I actually do remember waiting for my first college, Carlow, to be added to the list of member schools. I remember when the introduction of the News Feed caused a stir
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Jul 25, 2011
Susan
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Whether you like him or not, Mark Zuckerberg is fascinating. This book is basically a history of Facebook, from its beginnings in Zuckerberg's Harvard dorm room to the billion-dollar empire it is today. Special focus is on the young CEO's vision for the company and management philosophy. The author clearly admires him, and devotes attention to the positive effects of social networking, especially in countries with oppressive governments. He also discusses the controversies surrounding Facebo
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Jan 30, 2011
David
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Undoubtedly the most exhaustive book on Facebook's history, development, and future going forward. If you're just looking for a quick read in the form of a novel, check out Mezrich's The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal. Mezrich's book is based on a lot of anonymous sources, whereas this book is sourced by current and former Facebook employees, including Mark Zuckerberg.
The book also explains Facebook's evolving advertising More...
The book also explains Facebook's evolving advertising More...
Nov 09, 2011
Christa
rated it:
Facebook an apology? Really long puff piece? This book is definitely : 'the official story'.
While the book is full of interesting 'history (if one can talk about it in these terms)’ and fact(oid)s about Facebook and today’s technology landscape, it's made almost impossible to read by the author's adulation of and constant verbal fawning over Marc Zuckerberg. I think, if I had had to read the word 'gravitas' one more time (especially applied to a 20 something kid who, by almost all accounts More...
While the book is full of interesting 'history (if one can talk about it in these terms)’ and fact(oid)s about Facebook and today’s technology landscape, it's made almost impossible to read by the author's adulation of and constant verbal fawning over Marc Zuckerberg. I think, if I had had to read the word 'gravitas' one more time (especially applied to a 20 something kid who, by almost all accounts More...
Sep 13, 2010
Maria
rated it:
I saw this on the "new books" shelf at the library last week, and I thought that since I am addicted to Facebook I might enjoy the book. It was extremely interesting and humbling to read about how a 19 yr old college student (albeit from Harvard) started what would become the world's fastest growing company out of his dorm room. It was also interesting to see from the inside what it is like to start such a company.
However, I have to say it wasn't very well written; in fact More...
However, I have to say it wasn't very well written; in fact More...
Jan 12, 2011
Iboo
rated it:
I always wondered if using Facebook is useful or not? ,with all of the daily status updates and comments i write on my Facebook page ,never thought how this service actually works and the history of such massive network .
David Kirkpatric done a great work with this book ,he covered every single aspect of the Facebook's history as well as the possibilities if the future changes .This book may change the way you use Facebook ,it may lead to reduce your time spending on facebook ;you may More...
David Kirkpatric done a great work with this book ,he covered every single aspect of the Facebook's history as well as the possibilities if the future changes .This book may change the way you use Facebook ,it may lead to reduce your time spending on facebook ;you may More...
Jan 22, 2012
Kevin
rated it:
While it is interesting thread this book from the inside Facebook standpoint, it felt that Kirkpatrick did a poor job as a storyteller. Unlike The Social Network, which only focused on the formative years of Facebook, this book looked at the whole history, plus made projections into the future. In the early years portion of the book, Kirkpatrick seemed out of touch and in the pocket of Facebook PR. He glossed over the issues brought up in the Social Network (the lawsuits and what happened to Edu
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Mar 16, 2011
Brian
rated it:
If at all interested in the history of Facebook, do read this
I made the mistake of reading The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich, which was a terrible book. This is far better researched (he actually spoke to Facebook employees, including Zuckerberg), more informative and even more entertaining (despite Mezrich's penchant for novelizing his topics). You'll really get a feel for how crazy, exciting, transformative Facebook was and is. The tail end of the book about where things are now and w More...
I made the mistake of reading The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich, which was a terrible book. This is far better researched (he actually spoke to Facebook employees, including Zuckerberg), more informative and even more entertaining (despite Mezrich's penchant for novelizing his topics). You'll really get a feel for how crazy, exciting, transformative Facebook was and is. The tail end of the book about where things are now and w More...
Aug 25, 2010
Marcy
rated it:
(Mostly copied&pasted from LJ)
I finished Book 34 for the year, and actually felt like I'd end up having a fair amount to say about this one.
Basically -- wow. Facebook. A lot of us use it, and a number of people feel passionately about it -- usually, passionately against whatever the latest change is.
And I've definitely been in that boat a time or two. I remember when they first launched the News Feed, thinking it was awful, that I hated it, that we were all now stal More...
I finished Book 34 for the year, and actually felt like I'd end up having a fair amount to say about this one.
Basically -- wow. Facebook. A lot of us use it, and a number of people feel passionately about it -- usually, passionately against whatever the latest change is.
And I've definitely been in that boat a time or two. I remember when they first launched the News Feed, thinking it was awful, that I hated it, that we were all now stal More...
