Computers

Between Google’s 10th birthday, the third Google founder controversy, ordering your G1 and their launch of “10 to the 100th"*, you might have missed the new “Google Story”. This latest iteration of David Vise and Mark Malseed’s National Bestseller hit store shelves last Tuesday**. “Updated for Google’s 10th Birthday”, this new edition is the same “Google Story” you’ve come to know only updated with new accounts. Like previous versions, this latest edition provides an interesting and entertaining glimpse behind the curtain at Google. It’s a great read for anyone interested in learning more about Google’s greatest successes and biggest blunders from a unique, behind the scenes perspective.

The Preface provides insight into the lives of Google’s founders and how they have changed over the past ten years. From bachelors living on credit in Stanford’s dorms to married billionaires ranked among the top five wealthiest Americans, it’s a pretty remarkable story.

In terms of new information and updated statistics, the book claims that Google now has more than 20,000 employees, a million computers and produces “billions of search results with every tick of the clock”. Most of the new information is introduced around page 260. In addition to the new Preface, up to date information, expanded chapter and the addition of one new chapter, readers may notice a few things are missing from this addition edition. Interestingly, the chapter titled “Trick Clicks” about click fraud is no longer a part of “The Google Story”. Also missing, a recount of Eric Schmidt’s run-in with CNET over their publishing his personal information found via Google.***

What’s good about the book?

• The recounts in this book are fantastic! One of my favorites is the time Mikhail Gorbachev and Shimon Peres dropped in to hear Brin and Page while speaking at a Israeli high school.
• Obviously, I’ve always thought Blogoscoped’s role in “The Google Story” was an interesting one but, no updates there until next time (Chrome) I guess!
• I don’t want to give away anything but, this edition serves up lots of “juicy” details regarding Google’s move into China and the role Dr. Kai-Fu Lee played. Google CEO Eric Schmidt is quoted as saying “We actually did an ’evil scale’” in determining Google’s approach in China.
• It’s pretty amazing but according to the book, “Larry and Sergey still look at all measurements for all traffic for all applications every week”.
• Despite the free food, bean bags and lava lamps, according to Sergey Brin “... what is not apparent from the outside is the set of rigorous systems and processes that we use to manage our growth while maintaining this entrepreneurial zeal.”
• Detailed updates also include Appendix #9 and #23 as well as “The Google Financial Scorecard”.
• Paperback suggested retail price is only $14.00

What’s bad about the book?

• Somehow denoting new content would be nice for future editions.
• The book seems to indicate Google’s executives own only one aircraft but, I’m pretty sure that number is a little higher.

The Google Story Updated Edition is a great book and a highly suggested “must read”!

*See the September archive for more.

**Disclosure: The book’s co-author Mark Malseed guest-blogged here before.

***When CNet reporter Elinor Mills used Google to research Eric Schmidt within public sources, Google’s response was to tell CNet they were now blacklisted from receiving Google communication for a year – due to privacy issues with Elinor’s report.

[By Brian Ussery | Origin: The Google Story, Updated for Google's 10th B ... | Comments]

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