The Google Story: Inside the Hottest Business, Media, and Technology Success of Our Time by David A. Vise, Mark Malseed

People are familiar with Google’s products, such as its search engine, Gmail, and Android operating system, but are less familiar with the story of the creators and their motivations behind the innovative and indispensable brand. “The Google Story: Inside the Hottest Business, Media, and Technology Success of Our Time” by David A. Vise tells the riveting tale of co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, a tech-savvy pair of computer scientists with a mission to transform the way the world accesses and stores information.

Author David A. Vise begins the book by describing Google’s humble beginnings as a small startup in a Silicon Valley garage, an operation largely financed by Brin and Page’s own funds. The authors then provide insight into the brothers’ (Seymour and their mother Eugenia) upbringings, focusing on the lifestyle of their Russian Jewish family in the 1970s and proceeding to explain how Brin’s and Page’s disadvantages fostered an environment of innovation and hard work that would later become the driving force behind Google’s success.

Next, the book delves into the details of the “PageRank” algorithm and how it catapulted Brin and Page into the spotlight in 1998. The algorithm, which was initially intended to measure the importance of websites within academic or business settings, was quickly adopted by the public due to its level of accuracy, relevancy, and speed—all of which were considered a breakthrough at the time.

Vise then proceeds to detail the various acquisitions that Google has made over the years, such as YouTube, Nest Labs, and DoubleClick. Furthermore, the authors discuss the various lawsuits brought against the company, most notably the high-profile antitrust lawsuit brought by the US government in 2011. Vise examines the outcome of all these events, emphasizing how Google has managed to use every situation to its advantage and achieve continued success.

The book also provides an in-depth look into the thought leaders behind the scenes, such as Google’s co-founding CEO, Eric Schmidt, and Google’s current CEO, Sundar Pichai, who were both instrumental in the company’s achievements. Vise also interviews some notable former and current employees to provide insight into the culture and values that make Google such an attractive employer as well as a profitable business.

To conclude, Vise paints a complete picture of a company that has become a household name and offers readers an engaging look into the dynamics of the people behind the iconic brand. He documents the highs and lows of the company’s 21-year journey, providing an informative and inspiring story of entrepreneurs that turned a small project into one of the most successful companies of our time. “The Google Story” is an essential read for any aspiring tech entrepreneur and a must-read for any business professional or technology enthusiast.