Silicon Valley, without a doubt, serves as the global centre of technology and innovation. Constantly evolving, with some of the world’s brightest minds in both business and technology, it serves as an inspiration to many people. You always hear stories of the mavericks, those who dared to dream big and who succeeded in changing the world with their ideas; but there are other stories which are lesser-known but no less important in the complicated history of Silicon Valley. This article gives you the best books about history and business in Silicon Valley.
Best Books about Silicon Valley
- Audible Audiobook
- Adam Fisher (Author) – Pete Larkin (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 07/10/2018 (Publication Date) – Hachette Audio (Publisher)
This book does not hold back on spilling the secrets of Silicon Valley. The author draws on almost two hundred in-depth interviews to bring the reader a thorough history of this innovation hub. From the origins of Apple and Atari to the present day clashes of Google and Facebook, and all the start-ups and disruptions that happened along the way. Definitely one of the best books about Silicon Valley worth the read if a tell-all history is what you are looking for.
- Audible Audiobook
- Leslie Berlin (Author) – Amanda Carlin (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 11/07/2017 (Publication Date) – Simon & Schuster Audio (Publisher)
In Troublemakers, historian Leslie Berlin introduces the people and stories behind the birth of the Internet and the microprocessor as well as Apple, Atari, Genentech, Xerox PARC, ROLM, ASK, and the iconic venture capital firms Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. The book chronicles the gripping tale of seven exceptional men and women, who changed Silicon Valley in just seven years. Together these troublemakers rewrote the rules and invented the future.
- Audible Audiobook
- John Carreyrou (Author) – Will Damron (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 05/21/2018 (Publication Date) – Random House Audio (Publisher)
John Carreyrou brings readers this New York Times bestseller about the 2014 Silicon Valley startup, Theranos. Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes was widely seen as the female Steve Jobs. She was a brilliant Stanford dropout whose start-up promised to change the medical industry. Theranos sold shares in a fund-raising round that valued the company at more than $9 billion even though the technology did not even work. The book details the scams, corporate intrigue and demise of the company.
- Audible Audiobook
- Margaret O’Mara (Author) – Nan McNamara (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 07/09/2019 (Publication Date) – Penguin Audio (Publisher)
In the earliest days of the internet, the author, Margaret O’Mara, worked in the White House. She saw firsthand how deeply related Silicon Valley was to the federal government. She spent five years researching the people and companies who contributed to the history of Silicon Valley before penning this book. The book chronicles the evolution in their offerings through each successive era, and through her political background, she is able to show its relation to the larger cultural narrative about tech as it has evolved over the years.
- Audible Audiobook
- Eric Schmidt (Author) – Dan Woren (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 04/16/2019 (Publication Date) – HarperAudio (Publisher)
The authors of this book are leaders at Google and know firsthand the lessons and principles taught by business genius, Bill Campbell. After his death in 2016, they decided to put together an essential guide made up of Campbell’s teachings to help future generations learn from his wisdom. Campbell left behind a legacy of growing companies, successful people and respect which will not be forgotten if this book is anything to go by. Based on interviews of more than 80 people with whom he worked with, this book provides a blueprint for forward-thinking business leaders and managers. It will help them create higher performing and faster-moving cultures, teams, and companies.
- Audible Audiobook
- Emily Chang (Author) – Emily Chang (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 02/06/2018 (Publication Date) – Penguin Audio (Publisher)
A different perspective on Silicon Valley, Emily Chang, brings readers this powerful book about the struggle women face in a male-dominated industry. She refers to Silicon Valley as a “Brotopia” where men hold all the cards and make all the rules. Drawing on interviews with well-known women in tech, the book reveals just how hard it is to succeed in Silicon Valley. Using their wisdom and experiences, the book advises how to bring down Brotopia once and for all
- Audible Audiobook
- Brad Stone (Author) – Dean Temple (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 01/31/2017 (Publication Date) – Hachette Audio (Publisher)
Brad Stone brings readers this riveting book about how the new companies of Silicon Valley are changing the world. Using the leaders of Uber and Airbnb as examples, he explains the dawn of a new age of tenacity, conflict and wealth. Discover how it all started and how these companies are changing the world.
- Berlin, Leslie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 440 Pages – 11/13/2006 (Publication Date) – Oxford University Press (Publisher)
Another book by author Leslie Berlin, this book details the life of Robert Noyce, the man behind the microchip. The co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel, Noyce co-invented the integrated circuit, the electronic heart of every modern computer, automobile, cellular telephone, advanced weapon, and video game. With the use of interviews, the author is able to give the reader a first-hand look inside the world of high-tech business and illuminates the highs and lows Noyce experienced.
In conclusion, these books about Silicon Valley will give you a good look at the history and business of this fast-moving tech hub. It is ever-changing and constantly evolving to keep up with our technological demands. It also has to go beyond and anticipate our future needs. The people who have shaped this industry all have interesting stories and most of them are included in the books above. So whether you wish to learn about the industry or are looking for inspiration in high-tech business ventures, this reading list is for you!
