Product Description

The Google Story is the entertaining and definitive account of the most compelling innovation since the creation of the internet. Used in over 100 countries by more than 65 million users a day, Google is the most well known global brand to emerge in decades. It has become so popular that its name has become a verb. Based on scrupulous research and extraordinary access to the founders of Google, this book takes you inside the creation and growth of a company that has transformed how we access information about everything and everybody. Readers will learn about the amazing network of thousands of computers that store over four billion web documents and which are kept in specially chilled, secretly located rooms. They will discover the creative ways Google makes money while it provides a free service to millions and they will experience something of the world of ‘Googleplex’, the company’s colourful Silicon Valley headquarters, where staff receive free massages at the end of the day.

But even as it rides high, Google wrestles with difficult challenges in a busines that changes at lighting speed. Can it continue to compete while sustaining the guiding vision of its founders' mantra: DO NO EVIL?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #91761 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Daily Mail
a gripping book, written like a detective story...expertly told

From the Back Cover

The Google Story (using logo) is the definitive account of one of the most remarable organizations of our time. Every day over sixty-four million people use Google in more than one hundred languages, running billions of searches for information on everything and anything. Through the creative use of cutting-edge technology and a series of groundbreaking business ideas, Google's thirty-two year old founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, have in ten years taken Google from being just another internet start-up to a company with a market value of over US$80 billion. Based on scupulous research and extraordinary access to the inner workings of Google, this book takes you inside the creation and growth of a company that has become so familiar its name is used as a verb around the world.

But even as it rides high, Google wrestles with difficult challenges in a business that changes at lightning speed. In this fully updated edition of the 2005 title, David A. Vise brings readers fully up to speed on the latest developments and issues facing the company as it continues to expand and innovate while trying to sustain the guiding vision of its founders' mantra: DO NO EVIL?

'If you want to know how the Google boys became wealthy and powerful beyond dreams, then David Vise's assiduously researched The Google Story is for you.' Sunday Telegraph

'If Google were to take on critical faculties as well as its other attributes Vise's book would probably come out on top.' The Times

About the Author

David A. Vise is a Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter for The Washington Post. He has written several books including New York Times Bestseller “The Bureau and The Mole: The Unmasking of Robert Philip Hanssen, The Most Dangerous Double Agent in FBI History.” He has also received the Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism.

Customer Reviews

Pure Inspiration!
In my view this book sits alongside Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson for inspiration and honesty - mistakes and all! It's a must for any budding or armchair entrepreneur and demonstrates the 100% focus required to start up and maintain a multi-billion dollar company, whilst fiercly defending an original ethos. The culture within the Googleplex is discussed at length and it's clear that this was how they recruited and retained their staff. However, although it was not overtly mentioned in the book it was clear that Brin and Page demonstrated a inpeneterable partnership and strong leadership, even Schmidt was an outsider. If this leadership was not present from the beginning the story may have been different - a lesson for many organisations, I think. A brilliant book my Mr Vise, thanks.

Almost 5 stars
A very interesting book. The writer starts off in a very sycophantic manner, praising Google as if the sun shines out of their HQ. Later in the book the writer covers some more of dodgy practices that Google partake in.
I get the feeling that the reader is being taken on the same journey as the writer; From "Do No Evil" to "Do Lots of Good, but turn a blind eye if it makes Google lots of money".

In 2007 it could do with some updates to do with the latest news, but gives a great history of internet search as well as Google

Ultimately a very good book, let down from 5 stars by some repetition from chapter to chapter

A 'must read' for Human Resources Executives
Ok, so we all know a fair bit about Google. Their search tool is the most popular and their brand is like gold - but what goes on inside the Googleplex? This book is a fascinating insight into the creation and growth of a truly unique and engaging workplace. Whatever your industry and whatever the history of your organisation, there are lessons to be learned here about the economic benefits to your business of having a highly engaged and productive workforce and some thoughts on how to get there.