Startup: A Silicon Valley Adventure

by Jerry Kaplan

Book Overview

In 1987, Jerry Kaplan embarked on every aspiring entrepreneur's dream--he formed his own company. Startup is Kaplan's riveting and insightful story about what it takes to create and maintain a company... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395711339
• ISBN13: 9780395711330
• Release Date: May 1995
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 2.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A Complete View at Starting Up

I read Kaplan's book over 3 years ago, and still consider it the best book on entrepreneurship that I have ever encountered. Having met a lot of entrepreneurs, I find their experiences to be mostly incommunicable. Sure, they can dispense advice a la bulleted PowerPoint slides and Top 10 Lists, but the meat of the wisdom never quite make it out of their head into mine. This is where "Startup" the book excels. Because Jerry was so meticulous in recording every bit of his startup adventure (for he had intended to record GO's life in writing nearly from the very beginning), his book alone has an incredible amount of valuable detail that is lacking in other such startup "memoirs." Startup is so well-done as a "memoir" type, in leaving nothing out, that I felt like I was living through the experience along with Jerry. What is it like to operate a company with real employees, who have real personalities, real disagreements, real visions and real limitations? What is it like to have to put the rest of your life on hold to pursue your passion and what does it do to you and those around you mentally, physically? Jerry won't tell you these things, but he will show you. Because Jerry's story is real, these conflicts fold so naturally and almost imperceptibly, but often devastatingly -- just like in real life. Jerry's detractors say that he made some terrible decisions -- and maybe he did, but the only reason you know that is because he lets it be known. He really bares all in this book and I didn't feel like there was a single moment when he was trying to pull something over the reader's head. Of course, there are times when I don't necessarily agree with his conclusions, but that's a result of differences in our characters, and not because he tried to extricate himself from his responsibilities. In addition to the realism and detail of the "adventure," startup-lovers will be pleased to know that the technicalities of the fundraising, marketing, and selling/negotiating processes (particularly with the Evil Empire, aka Microsoft, whose self-aggrandizement really knows no bounds!) are also revealed. As are the presence of and Jerry's interactions with Silicon Valley legends John Doerr and Bill Campbell. Reading "Startup" was like sitting next to these people in a bar -- Jerry's handsome writing, full of humor, really brought them to life. I also was lucky enough to meet Jerry and have him sign my copies of the book at a Silicon Valley VC event where he was speaking. I now have two copies of the book -- one that I have at home, and one that is constantly roaming in my circle of friends and acquaintances, because I really believe that this is one of those books that should be required reading for all startup enthusiasts.

How profound in 20/20 hindsight

Jerry Kaplan seems to be the master of finding the trend, but falling inches short of capitalizing on it. (Go preceded Palm's pend based success by quite a bit of time, and Onsale preceded eBay) In essence, that's what makes this story so interesting. Join the ride of a pre-Internet boom technology company running by the seat of it's pants with a cool idea that may or may not work, but no matter what is visionary and light years ahead of it's time. Whew! Hindsight being the great guide that it is, one can read the book knowing that Kaplan's vision was spot on, but that is not always enough. Technology challenges, competitive threats (or dirty pool?), organizational challenges and who knows what else can come in the way. Despite what we know to be a crash and burn, it is hard not to be inspired reading this book.

Chronology of a Failure

In Startup, Go's Jerry Kaplan (better known for his later success with onsale.com) recounts how he and his team built the company from an idea, and how due to internal politics and competition the walls came tumbling down. Kaplan takes us through the twists and turns of forming a company, describing, in detail, how he secured venture capital and found Go's first few key people. He comments extensively on the changing competitive landscape throughout Go's history. The EO spin-off, IBM and AT & T deals and all other major events in Go's life are detailed. The book is a quick read, written like a first person novel, not a stuffy business book.The book's biggest flaw, however, is that it is written entirely from Kaplan's perspective. Throughout, he blames situation, competitors and others for the various problems that Go encountered; Kaplan though, fails to review his own actions and how they may have contributed to Go's demise -- unfortunately this could have been the most beneficial analysis: allowing us to learn from what Kaplan perceived as his mistakes.Over all, Startup is well written, and a "must read" for anyone working for or contemplating starting a tech company.

One of the best business history books I have read

This book provides value in a number of ways. First, the reader is given a detailed review of the growth of a start-up. One feels the struggles and victories of the organization. Second, the speed of change in the technology industry is clearly communicated--not an easy thing to do in a book. Finally, the author provides an excellent overview of the frustrations of raising capital. For anyone involved in a small organization with aspirations of an IPO--this is a must read.Unfortunately, this book is hard to find. LOOK, it is worth the effort.

Dignified Hardball

This is a damn good book. It's located in the business section but really it should be in the inspirational group. Have a goal (dream), work your tail off to reach for it, and hope for the best. But whatever happens, maintain your integrity and dignity no matter what. Forget about the grad school biz problem texts, this is REAL biznotik.Having Read The Plot To Get Bill Gates I was aware of the outcome; nevertheless, reading pages 281-282 was tough. Very tough.