I enjoyed learning about the key technologies that enabled civilization throughout the ages. I also got an answer to a long-held question of mine, which is why the Northern Hemisphere is in a much better place than the Southern: because of the “lucky latitudes.“

As someone curious about statistics and startups, this book was a goldmine. It debunks myths about founders like the one that says they need to be young college dropouts. Really enjoyed such a data-driven read.

Critical information for founders and potential founders. It's always good to know the stats.

It's a pleasant read, well-researched and insightful, that occasionally moralizes at its audience. I especially enjoyed his point that foragers likely lived better lives than the first farmers, which made me realize how lucky we are to have been born after all that progress has been made.

It's exactly what it sounds like, a collection of founders' stories in interview format. Livingston does a solid job prodding her interviewees and asks good questions. What I didn't like so much, which wasn't her fault, was that many interviews tended to get long-winded and rambly, filled with technical jargon that I had no chance of understanding. Some interviews were much better, and I learned a lot.

I wasn't the biggest fan. I saw it as a manifesto on Thiel's business philosophy. So many of his points seemed so controversial that I found myself constantly disagreeing. That's not necessarily a bad thing; everyone deserves to have their worldview challenged. However, Thiel delivers his manifesto with the attitude that he's discovered the absolute truth of the world, which I disliked. Still recommended reading for those interested in startups.

Solid lessons on teambuilding. Wish I could've met Bill. He sounds like a special guy.

I finally got around to this one. This book has permeated popular culture--for good reason--so I'd seen most of it already, which probably took away a lot of the impact. While I agreed with the main points, the book heavily relies on anecdotal evidence rather than systematic research. I also found the second half to lack focus and didn't get what value it was supposed to add. An interesting book, but not the right one for me.

Really liked this one. An entertaining read full of genuinely good wisdom on how to run a startup.

Just started