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Blackberry: The Untold Story of Research in Motion
The BlackBerry is � quite literally � everywhere. President Barack Obama admits he can't live without it. Oprah Winfrey declared on her show that the BlackBerry is one of her "favorite things." BusinessWeek put the case for owning one bluntly in an article entitled "No BlackBerry: No Life." Launched in 1984 by Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsilliewith on a $15,000 loan, Research in Motion (RIM) has grown into one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world. The reason: the BlackBerry. RIM had sold more than 50 million BlackBerrys by 2009 and sales of the handheld device generates annual profits in excess of $11 billion. BlackBerry: The Untold Story of Research in Motion is bestselling author Rod McQueen�s fascinating and absorbing biography of the device�s incredible popularity, as well as a never-before-seen glimpse into its origins and development � and the geniuses who were its inspiration.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 15, 2010
Rod McQueen's story of the rise of RIM from a garage outfit to a multi-billion dollar corporation is well informed and well researched. But it's interesting mostly because the story of RIM itself is interesting. McQueen's telling is adequate but the company and founders are cast in such a glowing light, it appears as though he was hired by Lazaridis to write the book. Such an approach can tend to make a book relatively dull as there is little conflict to propel the story forward. "Blackberry" is not dull. On the contrary young entrepreneurs and MBAs should love this story as it shows us how a young visionary can become a success against difficult odds.
My reason for buying the book in the first place is that I was an early adopter of RIM products and can trace their evolution by simply opening my desk drawer and sorting through my collection of discarded units. It's a great product and I was curious to better understand how it came to be. "Blackberry" provides a carefully reconstructed story of what has become one of the most recognized brands of our time. Along the way we learn how the Blackberry got its name, changed the way we do business, and was pivotal in driving patent reform. Although I thought there was more "RIM is a great company" than I would have cared for, the story itself is immensely compelling and worthwhile.
My reason for buying the book in the first place is that I was an early adopter of RIM products and can trace their evolution by simply opening my desk drawer and sorting through my collection of discarded units. It's a great product and I was curious to better understand how it came to be. "Blackberry" provides a carefully reconstructed story of what has become one of the most recognized brands of our time. Along the way we learn how the Blackberry got its name, changed the way we do business, and was pivotal in driving patent reform. Although I thought there was more "RIM is a great company" than I would have cared for, the story itself is immensely compelling and worthwhile.
April 12, 2020
As someone who lives in Kitchener/Waterloo and sees what Blackberry looks like now it was a pretty fascinating read to get this time capsule of them right at their peak before their eventual downfall.
June 20, 2012
I was shocked this book didn't come with a DIY shrine kit to Balsillie & Lazaridis. Sarcasm aside, it was painfully clear that the author had unfettered access to the executives, but in exchange for that was an agreement that the book would depict them and the company in nothing but good light.
This book was written before the most recent troubles, so most of the reporting is on the beginnings and growth of the company. Reading about how Lazaridis' boyhood interests and how they led him to start RIM were very interesting, but after that you really get the sense that there's no objectivity here.
There's a LOT of name-dropping, mostly unnecessary; and a lot of tedious irrelevant detail in some parts (I thought I was going to pull my hair out reading how Lazaridis interviewed the future Executive Director of the Perimeter Institute in an Italian restaurant in a strip plaza in Brampton blah, blah, blah).
On the other hand, when RIM went through it's first hiccup and had to cut 10% of its workforce in the early 00's, that warranted little more than a paragraph. I would have been interested in knowing what led to that situation, how they recovered, how they kept morale up in a company that was very informal and almost familial with its employees, what changes they made to then achieve the growth they did. But this was completely glossed over.
I would not recommend this at all.
This book was written before the most recent troubles, so most of the reporting is on the beginnings and growth of the company. Reading about how Lazaridis' boyhood interests and how they led him to start RIM were very interesting, but after that you really get the sense that there's no objectivity here.
There's a LOT of name-dropping, mostly unnecessary; and a lot of tedious irrelevant detail in some parts (I thought I was going to pull my hair out reading how Lazaridis interviewed the future Executive Director of the Perimeter Institute in an Italian restaurant in a strip plaza in Brampton blah, blah, blah).
On the other hand, when RIM went through it's first hiccup and had to cut 10% of its workforce in the early 00's, that warranted little more than a paragraph. I would have been interested in knowing what led to that situation, how they recovered, how they kept morale up in a company that was very informal and almost familial with its employees, what changes they made to then achieve the growth they did. But this was completely glossed over.
I would not recommend this at all.
January 21, 2022
Disappointing as I expected it to also cover the downfall of the company and the reasons therefor. That is where the real lessons are - superbusiness fails in the end after having unprecedented success. Steve Jobs had a role to play in the drama but the CEOs were their own worst enemies and got married to the products and concepts they created. The world was changing but they didn't.
June 4, 2017
Earlier parts were more interesting. Only makes one mention of the iPhone.
May 2, 2020
A poorly timed book explaining everything that made blackberry a world-beater, just at the moment where Blackberry was beginning a deathward spiral.
August 25, 2020
I found the history interesting. Odd the iPhone which made an appearance at the end, wasn't treated as much of a threat.
October 5, 2020
Inspiring story
October 24, 2011
An interesting read, particularly if you want to know the history of the company and how they got to where they are today. However, the book is written in a VERY positive light, and the author rarely (if ever) criticizes the company, so keep that in mind.
While I thought the level of detail on the 80s and 90s was good, I was a little disappointed with the final 1/3 of the book. For the most recent decade, when BlackBerry really took off, the author spends more time talking about patent litigation, charity work, how the devices were used during 9/11, and other similar topics. Other than a few paragraphs on the Pearl, almost none of the BlackBerry models after the original is even mentioned outside of a single sentence! The title of the book is "BLACKBERRY", but it barely talks about BlackBerry devices - it talks far more about the Inter@ctive pagers and other earlier products. Nor does it talk about how RIM plans to deal with the current market, which is shifting away.
The beginning half of the book was definitely worth a read, but be prepared to skim through the end and not gain much insight into the more recent workings of the company.
While I thought the level of detail on the 80s and 90s was good, I was a little disappointed with the final 1/3 of the book. For the most recent decade, when BlackBerry really took off, the author spends more time talking about patent litigation, charity work, how the devices were used during 9/11, and other similar topics. Other than a few paragraphs on the Pearl, almost none of the BlackBerry models after the original is even mentioned outside of a single sentence! The title of the book is "BLACKBERRY", but it barely talks about BlackBerry devices - it talks far more about the Inter@ctive pagers and other earlier products. Nor does it talk about how RIM plans to deal with the current market, which is shifting away.
The beginning half of the book was definitely worth a read, but be prepared to skim through the end and not gain much insight into the more recent workings of the company.
July 12, 2012
Its a good book providing an unbiased viewpoint about the company which started the smart phone revolution, it provides a chronological account of the development of the company and the people behind it and the evolution of Blackberry smart phones, the only dampner is that this book ends right at the point where RIM starts losing its market share to Apple and Android, it can bring a positive thought to its readers, die hard BB Fans a bright account of the company but in the current scenario takes them away from the situation of the company. Overall a good read for people who want to know about the Canadian Technocrat behind world's most popular smart phone
June 9, 2015
This is a terrible book.
It's pure propaganda for RIM, the BlackBerry, and the founders / co-CEOs of the company. It completely ignores the threat of the iPhone, mentioning it just once as one of many contenders in the mobile marketplace and nothing to worry about.
But I was very curious to read about the history of a device that dominated the mobile computing market for close to a decide. And along with the Palm Pilot, it set the stage for today's ubiquitious-smartphone world. So this book was worth my time to read even despite the above.
It's pure propaganda for RIM, the BlackBerry, and the founders / co-CEOs of the company. It completely ignores the threat of the iPhone, mentioning it just once as one of many contenders in the mobile marketplace and nothing to worry about.
But I was very curious to read about the history of a device that dominated the mobile computing market for close to a decide. And along with the Palm Pilot, it set the stage for today's ubiquitious-smartphone world. So this book was worth my time to read even despite the above.
Read
January 24, 2017It was interesting to read about the early days of Research in Motion and especially how Blackberry came to fruition. While some of the story may have been overly complimentary, it takes people with foresight like Balsillie and Lazaridis for advancements to be made. A sequel would be especially interesting given what has happened to the Blackberry. If you like reading about technological advances and the entrepreneurs who are willing to take a chance to make them happen, you will enjoy this book. Just remember, the story ends when Research in Motion was at its peak.
April 19, 2010
Great read the explores the history of RIM and addresses both the ups and downs of the organization over the last 25 years.
The book really makes you understand how truly innovative and smart Lazaradis and Balsillie are. Sorry Steve Jobs, but you've got nothing on those two.
Pretty easy read and very interesting - was so consumed with it that I finished it in an afternoon. Highly recommend for other Blackberry geeks out there. ;)
The book really makes you understand how truly innovative and smart Lazaradis and Balsillie are. Sorry Steve Jobs, but you've got nothing on those two.
Pretty easy read and very interesting - was so consumed with it that I finished it in an afternoon. Highly recommend for other Blackberry geeks out there. ;)
December 3, 2014
It's always inspirational to read about how successful people and companies got started, even more so when the people and company are local ones.
A great quote from Mike Lazaridis (RIM founder) in the book:
"Too many entrepreneurs focus on traditional sectors rather than knowledge-based ideas. It's too easy to rely on your natural resources [in Canada] and not realize that people are natural resources, they're renewable and they are infinitely powerful."
A great quote from Mike Lazaridis (RIM founder) in the book:
"Too many entrepreneurs focus on traditional sectors rather than knowledge-based ideas. It's too easy to rely on your natural resources [in Canada] and not realize that people are natural resources, they're renewable and they are infinitely powerful."
October 26, 2014
Right from the beginning, you get a feel of how the participants have collaborated with the author to narrate various episodes in their lives that have made the book readable
For a longer review, please click here:
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May 19, 2010
This is a well researched story of RIM and its founders. Even if you don't own a BlackBerry (I don't) the story of their struggle to bring wireless email is quite fascinating.
January 2, 2012
The book is really a must read, the real time story was told in a good way which doesnot bore while reading... Its precise, simple tone used and hence was addictive...
May 10, 2012
This book is beast!
January 11, 2016
Just a corporate promotional leaflet!
May 23, 2011
Its just okay, its more abt Mike and less abt RIM, and how they went after 2002.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews