The New New Thing is one dozens of books that tell the story of Silicon Valley, the Web, and the rise of the dot-coms — but it’s one of the two or three that are worth reading. (Another is Po Bronson’s Nudist on the Late Shift.)
Michael Lewis spent months with Jim Clark (founder of SGI, Netscape, Healtheon, myCFO) and was treated to a view of Silicon Valley business that few people get to see. Lewis tells Clark’s story, and it is surreal.
Clark may not be entirely human. It’s not just that he’s smarter or more driven than the next guy… he is that, but more importantly, he is simply different. Lewis reveals that Clark has, effectively, no past, and possibly no present, for his interest and attention are always on the future — the next thing out there, the “new new” thing. He lives in a state of perpetual dissatisfaction, always wanting, and doing whatever it takes to get, something better. It’s fascinating, and Lewis’ storytelling makes it a joy to read.
This book is great. Even if you’re totally burned out on dot-com/dot-bomb news, if you have any interest in the Gold Rush days of the Internet, you should read this book.
Patronize these links, man:
posted to area: Non-Fiction
updated: 2004-04-19 02:25:04
