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Stealing MySpace: The Battle to Control the Most Popular Website in America Audiobook
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(3.10) - 127 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This is the story of MySpace, a powerhouse Internet company that rose from humble beginnings to become nothing less than one of the centerpieces of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire. No one would have predicted that this company—barely funded, technologically inept, conceptually derivative, and driven by rivalries—would morph into the biggest Internet site in the world. This fascinating and surprising story includes all the elements of a great business narrative: obsessive characters, relentless and unlikely innovation, and dizzying backroom deal-making—all centered around an epic battle for control.
Acclaimed journalist Julia Angwin delivers a savvy, smart account reminiscent of Kurt Eichenwald and Barbarians at the Gate.
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"This book looked interesting at the library so I picked it up. It's pretty good, considering I'm 15 pages into it. Further review will come after the finishing of this novel. :) "
— Melissa (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Overall, you needn’t know a portal from a platform to follow this sprawling, rollicking Internet history.”
— New York Times -
“Meticulous and engaging…sparkles as a boardroom page-turner.”
— Washington Post -
“A well-written, entertaining and drama-filled chronicle…This engrossing look at how MySpace became a media powerhouse will find a solid audience of business history, technology, and entrepreneurship readers.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“The first and only business history thus far of MySpace, this outstanding title is highly recommended.”
— Library Journal
Stealing MySpace Listener Reviews
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" I got a little lost with all the various characters, but I suppose that tells you a lot about the story of MySpace. "
— Karen, 12/16/2013 -
" This book looked interesting at the library so I picked it up. It's pretty good, considering I'm 15 pages into it. Further review will come after the finishing of this novel. :) "
— Melissa, 12/10/2013 -
" Not too far into it, but it makes one wonder about the value of "social networking" online...and the calibre of the people who control it. "
— Anna, 12/9/2013 -
" Background information is really interesting, but this book is in desperate need of an update. A "Downfall of Myspace" chapter maybe, as this book ends with Facebook being a nonissue... "
— Jess, 9/5/2013 -
" Helped me understand the origins of MySpace, and especially how it evolved so differently from Facebook. I can better appreciate news reports I hear today about MySpace "
— George, 5/2/2013 -
" Truth, once again, is stranger than fiction. Unbelievable. Super-interesting! I will post a longer review soon. "
— Carl, 4/17/2013 -
" Very entertaining. What a surprise - the guys who founded My Space are grifter douchbags and their much of their success was lucky ineptitude. "
— Rebecca, 4/20/2012 -
" A detailed account of the origins of myspace as a low-budget friendster knock-off and its journey to become the most-visited web site. It's dry but relevant to anyone interested in how new products/services are created and can grow to be so immensely successful despite the mistakes of their owners. "
— B., 3/20/2012 -
" a fantastic history of myspace and the LA tech scene "
— Jason, 1/19/2012 -
" Gave up halfway through....the sections about the evolution of social networking were interesting, but I really could not care less about the personalities of all the internet start-up executives, which were described in excruciating detail. "
— Briana, 7/13/2011 -
" It is good but frightening. The finances, behind the scenes dealing, level of duplicity was amazing and depressing. <br/> <br/>I won't look at the internet the same way ever again. "
— Fay, 12/18/2010 -
" Helped me understand the origins of MySpace, and especially how it evolved so differently from Facebook. I can better appreciate news reports I hear today about MySpace "
— George, 9/25/2010 -
" I got a little lost with all the various characters, but I suppose that tells you a lot about the story of MySpace. "
— Karen, 9/8/2009 -
" enjoyed the book and a very fast read. Would like to see an updated edition to talk about the current state of MySpace "
— Kevin, 8/28/2009 -
" Gave up halfway through....the sections about the evolution of social networking were interesting, but I really could not care less about the personalities of all the internet start-up executives, which were described in excruciating detail. "
— Briana, 8/26/2009 -
" a fantastic history of myspace and the LA tech scene "
— Jason, 6/23/2009 -
" Not too far into it, but it makes one wonder about the value of "social networking" online...and the calibre of the people who control it. "
— Anna, 5/25/2009
About Julia Angwin
Julia Angwin is an award-winning journalist at the Wall Street Journal, where she has been writing about the convergence of technology and media for six years. She lives in New York City.
About Richard Powers
Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Overstory, and Bewilderment was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.