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AcquiredMay 27, 2021
Special: Amazon Unbound (with Brad Stone)
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Mentions
Guest: Brad Stone)
Brad Stone joins us to discuss the making of the modern Amazon, and how it's morphed from the "flywheel company" of The Everything Store into a set of interlocking and self-reinforcing businesses that extended both wider and deeper into the global economy than anyone ever imagined. (except perhaps Jeff Bezos) Is Amazon the Standard Oil of our time, or maybe something much, much bigger? Tune in as we dive in!
5 book mentions in this episode.
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Books Mentioned
Amazon Unbound
Brad Stone
“Brad Stone joins to discuss his most recent book, Amazon Unbound, which covers everything that has happened at Amazon since 2013.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Amazon's recent developments
For: Listeners interested in technology and business strategy
Key quote: “It is about everything that has happened at Amazon since 2013, including Alexa, Amazon Go, third-party sellers, well, the further development of the third-party ecosystem anyway.”
The hosts mentioned 'Amazon Unbound' to provide insights into the significant changes at Amazon since 2013, including innovations like Alexa and Amazon Go. They highlighted that the book serves as a comprehensive follow-up to Brad Stone's earlier work, 'The Everything Store'.
ASIN: B08V9DZZHG
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Everything Store
Brad Stone
“This book is the successor to Brad's first book, The Everything Store, which details Amazon's history up to 2013.”
Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: Amazon and its evolution
For: Readers interested in the history and development of Amazon.
Key quote: “This book is the successor to Brad's first book, The Everything Store.”
The host mentioned 'The Everything Store' as the predecessor to Brad Stone's latest book, 'Amazon Unbound'. This reference highlights the ongoing narrative of Amazon's growth and transformation over the years.
ASIN: B00FJFJOLC
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Cannery Row
John Steinbeck
“A quote from Cannery Row is mentioned as a way to provoke thought about Amazon's impact, highlighting the contrast between admired traits and those associated with success.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: impact of business traits
For: Readers interested in business ethics and societal values
Key quote: “It has always seemed strange, to me, the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding, and feeling are the concomitants of failure in our system.”
The host referenced 'Cannery Row' to illustrate the contrasting traits admired and rewarded in society, particularly in the context of business success. The quote serves as a thought-provoking entry point for discussing Amazon's impact and the complexities of its business practices.
ASIN: 0914606018
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“The Last Days of Night is referenced as a novel about Thomas Edison, which influenced the author's thinking about Amazon's system of invention.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: system of invention
For: Readers interested in business innovation and the complexities of large-scale systems.
Key quote: “Well, first of all, let me start with the other quote on that page is from a book called The Last Days of Night about Thomas Edison.”
The host mentions 'The Last Days of Night' to illustrate the concept of invention systems, particularly in relation to Amazon's operational processes. This book serves as a lens to examine both the positive and negative impacts of such systems on innovation and business practices.
ASIN: 167382868X
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Upstarts
Brad Stone
“Brad mentions his previous book, The Upstarts, which was about Uber and Airbnb, illustrating the risks of writing about rapidly changing tech companies.”
Sentiment: Critical Analysis
Trigger: writing about tech companies
For: Journalists and writers covering technology
Key quote: “I jumped in the train, moved, and I fell onto the tracks because it was like a month after that book came out.”
The host reflects on the challenges of writing about rapidly changing tech companies, using his experience with 'The Upstarts' as an example. He emphasizes the risks involved in capturing a moment in Silicon Valley, particularly when the narrative can shift dramatically in a short time.
ASIN: B01MT1FHD8
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