Careless People

A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism

By: Sarah Wynn-Williams

Narrated by: Sarah Wynn-Williams

#1 New York Times Bestseller

“Careless People is darkly funny and genuinely shocking...Not only does [Sarah Wynn-Williams] have the storytelling chops to unspool a gripping narrative; she also delivers the goods."—Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times

“When one of the world’s most powerful media companies tries to snuff out a book—amid other alarming attacks on free speech in America like this—it’s time to pull out all the stops.”–Ron Charles, The Washington Post

An explosive memoir charting one woman’s career at the heart of one of the most influential companies on the planet, Careless People gives you a front-row seat to Facebook, the decisions that have shaped world events in recent decades, and the people who made them.

From trips on private jets and encounters with world leaders to shocking accounts of misogyny and double standards behind the scenes, this searing memoir exposes both the personal and the political fallout when unfettered power and a rotten company culture take hold. In a gripping and often absurd narrative where a few people carelessly hold the world in their hands, this eye-opening memoir reveals what really goes on among the global elite.

Sarah Wynn-Williams tells the wrenching but fun story of Facebook, mapping its rise from stumbling encounters with juntas to Mark Zuckerberg’s reaction when he learned of Facebook’s role in Trump’s election. She experiences the challenges and humiliations of working motherhood within a pressure cooker of a workplace, all while Sheryl Sandberg urges her and others to “lean in.”

Careless People is a deeply personal account of why and how things have gone so horribly wrong in the past decade—told in a sharp, candid, and utterly disarming voice. A deep, unflinching look at the role that social media has assumed in our lives, Careless People reveals the truth about the leaders of Facebook: how the more power they grasp, the less responsible they become and the consequences this has for all of us.

©2025 Sarah Wynn-Williams (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

'Devastating . . . funny . . . highly enjoyable . . . A Bridget Jones’s Diary-style tale of a young woman thrown into a series of improbable situations'—The Times

'Amazing: of all the books in all the world Mr Free Speech Zuckerberg wants to ban, it’s the one about him'—Marina Hyde, Guardian

"A darkly hilarious, shocking tale that starts as farce and ends as tragedy. It combines withering portraits of Facebook’s insular, callous leadership with harrowing details of what Wynn-Williams calls the company’s “lethal carelessness” on the global stage.”–Michelle Goldberg, The New York Times

Breathtaking and well told

I love every word she wrote. She's so genuine. The story is shocking. The rotteness at the center of Facebook is breathtaking. She backs it up with fact.

Loved every word

Necessary and entertaining, and shocking! A must listen. Lots of new information about Facebook and the people who run it. Gross!

Deactivate your social accounts

If, after reading Anxious Generation last year, you felt encouraged to deactivate your Meta accounts and get off social media, this memoir will seal the deal. It’s funny, engaging, and deeply disturbing. I’m more and more convinced not only that I do not want to engage on fb or insta platforms, but also that I do not want to invest my funds in a portfolio that includes social media companies due to the wildly unethical practices described here.

Eye opening

Very brave lady telling dark secrets of FB. From amazing ability to microtarget voters in election, serving fake news to those most likely to accept which message , to Myanmar to truly frightening coop arrangement with China which they’ve lied directly about to Senate.Mark Z’s power lust is unrestrained, made worse by his historical illiteracy & indifference in general to anything other than FB/Mets’s dominance. Author has details & receipts. The misogyny is well known & dismissed which is her last straw.
Mark trying to stop circulation of this book/ I can see why. Explosive details paint a narcissistic nihilist on a mission to be Caesar. Lots it them around rn. They’re more powerful than our govt now being torn asunder.
This is a glimpse behind the carefully calibrated image presented.
Important read.

Just what I thought

I got a bad feeling about Mark every time he opened his mouth I felt he was always lying and that he could change things on this site, I use it to keep up with the kids I put very little on it and I don't give them access to my info and when I have to I give the wrong info. They don't need to know my life.

Terrifying Truths

This books rips the curtains back on the inner workings of Facebook and its leadership, and the immense control that this corporation has on our society and world.

Eye opening book although slightly biased

the corruption and masculinity and just horrible deception is atrocious and I had no idea what was going on nor did I know several companies that I thought were separate were under facebook. they talked about Republicans and elections being won via Facebook but if you're going to talk about one side I feel like both sides should be discussed. hence my slightly biased comment. overall wonderfully performed her personal stories were riveting. the fact that Facebook knew comments were stirring such horrible consequences and doing nothing about it is Unforgivable.

An insider view of how Facebook has evolved to its position of influence.

This book gives you a chance to learn about the inner workings of Facebook, with all the mundane, sad, incredible, and insipid details of the people involved at the top. This is book is a must listen & entirely consistent with other reporting on Facebook. While you might question the author’s role in this, remember that sometimes witnesses are not entirely innocent. Their accounts are still worth hearing.

Lethal carelessness

Honest and informative. We have enabled carelessness and while entities like Facebook facilitate it, we are all responsible for the damages.

Wow! Just wow!

Is there anything Mark Zuckerberg won’t do for revenue!? It is truly unbelievable. Great listen!