The Players Ball: A Genius, a Con Man, and the Secret History of the Internet’s Rise by David Kushner

The Players Ball: A Genius, a Con Man, and the Secret History of the Internet’s Rise is a captivating account by writer David Kushner of the controversial and unprecedented journey of two unique individuals who disrupted the internet business world.

The book takes a closer look at the story of two unlikely figures, Bernie Ebbers and Marc Andreessen, who were both instrumental in the rise of the internet. These two figures were drastically different and both had their respective ups and downs, but together they provided the world with the technology that allowed it to become what it is today.

First, the book dives into the life of Bernie Ebbers, a brash, charismatic, and often unscrupulous businessman who founded his own telecommunication company, WorldCom, in 1983. Through a series of smart business moves, Ebbers was able to single-handedly make WorldCom the second-largest long-distance phone company in the world by the early 1990s. In spite of his ethical shortcomings, Ebbers was able to make a large contribution to the development of the internet by drastically reducing long-distance prices, thus paving the way for the growth of the internet.

Next, the book tells the story of Marc Andreessen, one of the most influential figures of the digital age. Andreessen is famous for co-founding the first of modern web browsers, Mosaic, which revolutionized the way people interacted with the internet. In the early 90s, this innovative technology was seen as a way to give an emerging industry an edge over other competitors. With his expertise and his ambition, Andreessen gradually assumed the role of de-facto leader of the internet and encouraged the development of venture capital, ultimately leading to the massive expansion of the tech industry.

The two men’s paths eventually crossed when Ebbers purchased Andreessen’s pioneering tech company, Netscape, in a transaction that revolutionized the internet. The merger was characterized by strong personalities and risky but ultimately successful business decisions. Together, the unlikely pair was able to guide the internet to a new level, truly showing the power of networking and entrepreneurship.

The Players Ball chronicles the story of how two very different people unknowingly had a massive impact on the internet, a technology that many people take for granted today. Ebbers and Andreessen provided the foundation for which the industry of the modern internet was built upon.

This book acts as a great resource for successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who are looking to learn from the mistakes and successes of others. By examining the in-depth profiles of two unique figures of the industry, as well as their business decisions, readers can gain insights into how they can achieve success in their own field.

The Players Ball is an important book that provides an informative and entertaining look at the early days of the internet, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most daring business decisions of our time. It is a captivating and inspiring story illustrating what can be accomplished by ambitious and intelligent individuals. By discussing the life and times of two unique individuals who left an unmistakable mark on the internet industry, the book provides readers with an invaluable resource of knowledge and motivation.