Idea Man

A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft

De: Paul Allen

Narrado por: Sean Runnette

By his early 30s, Paul Allen was a world-famous billionaire - and that was just the beginning.

In 2007 and 2008, Time named Paul Allen, the cofounder of Microsoft, one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since he made his fortune, his impact has been felt in science, technology, business, medicine, sports, music, and philanthropy. His passion, curiosity, and intellectual rigor - combined with the resources to launch and support new initiatives - have literally changed the world.

In 2009 Allen discovered that he had lymphoma, lending urgency to his desire to share his story for the first time. In this classic memoir, Allen explains how he has solved problems, what he's learned from his many endeavors - both the triumphs and the failures - and his compelling vision for the future. He reflects candidly on an extraordinary life.

The book also features previously untold stories about everything from the true origins of Microsoft to Allen's role in the dawn of private space travel (with SpaceShipOne) and in discoveries at the frontiers of brain science. With honesty, humor, and insight, Allen tells the story of a life of ideas made real.

©2011 Paul Allen (P)2011 Penguin

Good inspirational book.

Paul Allen tell his story of his life before and after Microsoft. it's a very inspirational book that shows not only what to do but what not to do in business and in life.

The part about Microsoft is good

Any additional comments?

Great account of Microsoft's early years. Too bad it is only a third of the book. The rest is about Allen's other activities, which are not so interesting.

More than just Microsoft

If you could sum up Idea Man in three words, what would they be?

Empathetic, insightful, intriguing

What did you like best about this story?

It was more than just Microsoft. It gave you insight into what seemed like the human side of Microsoft as well as other parts of Paul Allen's life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

...more than code.

Any additional comments?

A good read to learn about the cofounder of Microsoft and many other companies, foundations, and ideas.

Engaging, biographical and technical

Describes the mix of technological conditions, skills and opportunity that led to the inception of Microsoft. Paul Allen was certainly on par to Bill Gates. The narrator does a superb job in this audiobook.

great story about Paul allen

this is his auto biography. it starts in his youth ang goes thru his Microsoft years in to his later life. he talks about his investments, his music, meeting celebrities, making and losing money, traveling the world, his illness and his philanthy.
I was impresses by his mind and diversity..

Paul seems impressed with himself

I think what you get from this book if you read between the lines is that Paul was no different than any other engineer of the era, but was at the right place at the right time, but didn't have the true ambition that a gates or steve jobs did. But he got rich and cashed out. He fancies himself as something extraordinary from a technology standpoint but was really just a competent engineer.

But he got lucky and got rich... And is quite impressed with himself and how when you have billions of dollars you can buy friends and experiences.

A great biography

Some of the most brilliant people keep a low profile, so it was fascinating to get an inside look at Paul's life and career.

an interesting journey

Two part book. First, an inside look at the journey of a curious kid from his days mixing household chemicals in the basement through his co-founding and eventual departure from Microsoft. Second, a primer on how not to go shopping after hitting the jackpot.
Sadly, no mention of the egregious "patent troll" behavior by Vulcan, especially on small and growing tech start-ups.

Paul Allen was a visionary

I live in Seattle we knew Paul Allen owned the Seahawks and Blazer and was Co-founder of Microsoft. however after listening to this book I believe Mr Allen was an extraordinary visionary. More so than Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. he just did it without the spotlight. I believe after listening to this book you will agree.

Fascinating to hear this "inside" viewpoint

The man behind the many achievements finally gets to tell his version! Glad I read it.