Thicker than Water

By: Tyler Shultz

Narrated by: Tyler Shultz

From the hero whistleblower of the infamous Theranos scam, Thicker than Water is a look at never-before-revealed details behind closed doors at the company, revealing a cautionary tale of corporate bullying, gaslighting, ego, and wealth running amok in Silicon Valley.

Tyler Shultz had been in the workforce for less than a year when he emailed Elizabeth Holmes, his employer and the CEO and founder of Theranos, with concerns that the company’s lab practices were faulty, ignored quality control, and were potentially dangerous to patients. The COO fired back with a dismissive and insulting email, to which Tyler replied: “Consider this my two weeks’ notice.”

From there, his life spun out of control at the hand of Elizabeth, her team of high-powered lawyers, and the patriarch of Tyler’s own family George Shultz - one of America’s most prominent statesmen - who sat among the top of the Theranos board of directors. And yet, Tyler forged on. To protect his own conscience, the honor and reputation of his grandfather, and the health of patients worldwide.

Thicker than Water is Tyler’s as-told-to story - a harrowing and heartbreaking roller coaster of biomedical drama, family intrigue, and redemption - that will ultimately make you feel as though you are at a dinner party, seated next to a brilliant friend with one hell of a story.

Selected audio clips are courtesy of Bloomberg.

©2020 Audible Originals LLC. (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

A compelling story told by someone who was there.

As an Engineer, I enjoyed hearing this story from the perspective of a professional who actually worked there. I am very glad that I never had bosses like his! My managers and co-workers remained grounded in reality at all times. Tyler was not so lucky.

Even scientists can get taken in by a good con

Amazing story of strength and integrity in the face of the rich and powerful. Fascinating how even scientists and skeptics could be lulled into accepting junk science due to a polished conwoman, hubris, fear or financial necessity. Scary how easily might makes right, how greed overshadows better virtues, and how the legal system can be weaponized. Ironic that I believe and buy into Tyler Shultz’s persuasively told tale, when one of the morals to his story is how easily people can be taken in by great delivery.
I remember the headlines, but I suppose I’d better at least research a bit more before I commit to praising Tyler for standing up and doing the right thing... nah, I’m gonna say “admirable, phenomenal job Tyler” and I’ll come back and edit this if I need to.

Profile in Courage

This was an excellent book by Tyler Shultz discussing his story in the Theranos saga. I had read, "Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up," and seen the HBO mini-series, "The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley," so I had a good background on the story. But, I really wanted to hear Tyler's viewpoint. He went into great detail about his role and what he went through. I learned a lot about how hard Theranos worked to discredit and ruin him. But, he stood up to the evil company and its founder to do what he knew was right. Few people would be able to last under the pressure that Tyler went through, especially because he couldn't talk to anyone about the active investigation. Tyler doesn't have a big ego and made sure to give credit to all who supported him and worked with him to do what was right. This was a virtual page turner and I listened to it all in one day. Great book and great job, Tyler!

Down-homey Style Works

The entire book comes across as though you and Tyler and a few friends are sitting in your living room, sipping beer and maybe having just finished a joint, when somehow the conversation works its way to, "What really happened, man?" Tyler begins talking, fiddling with his guitar occasionally, and conversationally tells the story, snickering occasionally at disturbing situations he found developing around him. It's an excellent story. It does the heart good to know there are people who recognize evil and take a stand against it,

Stunning.

How refreshing to see a young man with great looks, intellect, and personality be driven purely by conscience, with little hope of reward, and at a massive personal cost.
What an example to follow.
Only Tyler himself could lend his own voice to this presentation- his shyness tells its own story.
What a stern warning of the power of charisma cementing our cognitive biases.
Would be a recommended listen were I an educator at any level in the hard or social sciences.
Bravo Tyler!

Fascinating story

Couldn’t stop listening once I started! Great story from someone who went through the experience
on both a professional and personal level.

The way I wish all whistle blowing would come out

These are the true heros of our life time, not sports and reality stars or even presidents, to hide behind non disclosure agreements should be a crime!

For Money & Glory

Many people are vulnerable to those alligators who only think about their pockets and their reputations. It’s unfortunate that he went through all of these emotional distress for the truth. There are still many questionable products around the world that are being sold and failed to provide satisfaction.

Human Integrity at its best

I have never heard of Tyler Schultz, his grandfather or of Theranos. I was quite startled by what I was listening too. This made me often fact check or seek more details on the net throughout my listening experience. I love when a book/audiobook does that, it really engages you and helps you immerse into the story. When I watched the 2015 interview with Elizabeth Holmes and Mad Money, I was so impressed with how she came across as the most fictional character you can think of in a story like this, she played the part so perfectly and yet... this was real life, I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. Tyler Schulz really is someone who shows human integrity at its best. Imagine someone like him as a political leader in our current times of 2020.

Wow!

This is the best audible original I’ve heard! Tyler is a great storyteller. After seeing the HBO documentary about Theranos I still wondered what the scientists were thinking when they worked there. Now I got to hear the story I wanted!!