Book reviews

Check out the following reviews for "Inside Larry and Sergey's Brain"
Let me know if you'd like a copy to review! Great lessons for new entrepreneurs.

Young Upstarts -- the latest review of my book:

"...an eye-opening read."
"I love the way Brandt juxtaposes his narrative with the story of the Library of Alexandria, and compares the search giant to the ancient center of intellectual thought in Egypt that reigned as the greatest library in the world until its destruction."
http://bit.ly/bEefKF

Publisher's Weekly (starred review!)

"In this must-read for anyone who deals seriously with cyberspace, Brandt has a remarkable profile in present-day innovation and potential."
http://bit.ly/YKqcf

Library Journal:

"...this book delves into the psyches of Page and Brin and describes their transformation from shy and socially awkward computer geeks to skilled business and technology leaders ... will appeal to a large readership..."
http://bit.ly/1wtWx

Elise Ackerman, Silicon Beat (SJ Mercury News):

"... you’d be excused for wondering what, if anything, is left to be written [about Google]. The answer, in the case of a new book by Richard Brandt, ... is quite a lot."
"...chockfull of new insights about one of the world’s most thoroughly scrutinized companies. It illustrates the value that thorough, straightforward, extensive shoe-leather reporting can bring to a even the most over-exposed subject."
"Gracefully written"
"Readers interested in acquiring a deeper understanding of Google’s world would be hard-pressed to find a more knowledgeable guide."
http://bit.ly/2XE6FB

StartupCFO:

"There are lots of good insights in the book. It’s definitely worth reading."
http://bit.ly/2afq2z

Clint Boulton, Google Watch:

"'I recommend to anyone who wants to get a grip on what Google is all about, from its college-like corporate culture, to its philanthropic activities, to its pioneering search service, to applications, etc.
http://bit.ly/L3dZ6

Marc Benioff, CEO and founder of Salesforce.com:

“Brandt takes us inside Google’s stratospheric trajectory and the founders’ quest to revolutionize both the way we find information and the values that should guide twenty-first-century businesses.”

Matthew Hurst, Data Mining (you can't win 'em all!)

"The title of the book is, however, misleading. It provides no real insight into the psychology or radical thinking of the subjects, but is rather a flattering account of their trajectory coupled with a sympathetic account of their origins.
"Well, now I’ve read a good number of reviews of the book (by searching for it on Google, of course) and the strange thing is, like the book on Google, I can’t find anything but glowing, uncritical comments. With Occam’s razor in hand, I have to assume that this is something to do with me, not the book! Perhaps I’m the wrong audience, or perhaps I took too long to read the thing."
http://bit.ly/UbGn4

Michael Hickins, Information Week:

"It's instructive to see just how badass these guys can be, even while doing no evil, in order to get their way. Granted, they're convinced that they're right, that they're doing what's best for users, and that they aren't doing evil. But the way they go about it seems a little… dare I say ruthless?
http://bit.ly/14qa1o

Shalabh Pandey, Chasing the Storm:

"Richard Brandt’s book is a different take on Google ... what goes in their minds while deciding the future of not only their company, but decisions impacting the Internet itself.
"Richard does succeed in painting a picture of the duo in your minds. They actually come across as aggressive, resolute (unyielding) and brilliant (obviously)- quite contrary to the warm smiling faces that one is used to seeing in pictures.
"It is an easy read- one of the few books I finished in about 2 days- and a good read for anyone who is starting up- specially in the Internet industry."
http://bit.ly/311nJc

Venture Beat:

"... better reporting and writing than most of the turnkey business books that cross my desk. Brandt offers a convincing take that the Google founders’ upbringings made them feel that giving stuff away free on the Internet was, is, and always will be a noble calling."
http://bit.ly/4hQXqX

Marty Zwilling, Startup Professionals Musings:

"Since I see so many business plans that are modeled after Google ... I had to take a look at the new book on the Google founders, called “Inside Larry & Sergey’s Brain,” by Richard L. Brandt. It didn’t disappoint me.
"Even the pros should probably pay attention here, to sharpen their game and to improve the accuracy of their assessments about people in general, as well as Google’s motivations and intentions."
http://bit.ly/4cITBc

Tom Foremski, ZDNet:

"Did you know that key Google technology was born out of the Department of Defense funded Digital Libraries project?
"Did you know that Google’s founders believed search engines should be non-profit because commercialization would taint the results?
"These are just a couple of items uncovered by Richard Brandt in his recently published book “Inside Larry & Sergey’s Brain“.
"Although there are many books on Google, this one seeks to understand Google by understanding the motivations, and the ethical and moral thinking of its founders."
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=868