Current Events – Ryan's Book Blog

The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google

March 25, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2017, “The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google,” written by Scott Galloway, is a critical analysis of how these four tech giants have come to dominate the global economy and influence nearly every aspect of our lives. Galloway explores the unique strategies and core business practices that have enabled Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google to achieve unparalleled growth and market power. The book provides insights into the companies’ impact on innovation, competition, and consumer behavior, as well as their role in reshaping industries and cultural norms. Galloway also examines the challenges and responsibilities these companies face given their monumental influence, offering a thought-provoking perspective on the future of technology and its intersection with society and the economy.

My Thoughts

It is very interesting to read this book 6 years in the future from when it was written. Some of what he said remained true and some didn’t quite turn out the way he anticipated. In fairness, it’s hard to see a global pandemic and the changes forcing everyone to stay home made on the market.

Recommendation

Still a good book even though it doesn’t quite hold up.

Putin’s World

February 23, 2023 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Written in Feb of 2023, Putin’s World is a history of both Russia and Vladimir Putin. The book attempts to illustrate how Russia sees itself in the world and why Vladimir Putin has been so successful maintaining leadership in the post Soviet era.

My Thoughts

This book was very interesting on a number of fronts. Having lived in Eastern Europe for a while, I had been exposed to the pride and even arrogance found in some of those cultures. I believe President Trump played to this perfectly even if he didn’t fully understand what he was doing. It does make me wonder where we would be in the Ukraine if he had another term in office.

There were a number of newer concepts that, I’m sorry to say, I didn’t think much about. I hadn’t really thought much of Russia as seeing itself as an Asian power rather than European. Of course, that doesn’t make much sense given the location and how it sees itself. It was simply a reflection of my ethnocentrism… I’m glad I had a chance to learn more and I look forward to more opportunities.

Recommendation

Great book on understanding Russia and it’s current president.

Thank You for Being Late

September 7, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Written in 2016, this book as about modern life and the breakneck speed that everything seems to be changing. Three time Pulitzer Prize winning Journalist Thomas Friedman shares his perspective on how quickly things have changed and his quasi-biographical observations of how to deal with it and what else might be coming down the line.

My thoughts

I started reading this because my boss’s boss’s boss made an off handed comment about it. Now that I’ve read it, the comment didn’t make any sense. But that’s motivation for you…

The book was very interesting as it seemed to catalog the technological growth throughout my career. There were a number of antidotes that I felt could have easily been my experience. I don’t know that I agree with all of the observations but I do agree that we haven’t seen anything yet in terms of technology and general disruptions to our lives in general.

Recommendation

It is worth the read.