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Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

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Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#331

Post by portaouflop »

jppope wrote: post #304
akudha wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When I was a kid, I read about Jack Welch and thought he was great. Later I learned of all the shenanigans he pulled, not just unethical, but illegal stuff. And the way he trampled people. Bill Gates is a respected philanthropist today, he too did all kinds of shady, ruthless stuff to get to the top. Everywhere I look, same story - Amazon, Facebook, Google... The only big company I think is okay is Costco - either th…

Theres a ton of ethical wealthy people, you just have no clue who they are because they are playing a different game and don't want the spotlight. Whats the shady ruthless stuff from Google? They've obviously started running their business differently after the easy growth went away, but I've never heard anyone be like: they made me pee in a bottle because going to the bathroom was too much time off the line.

Here is a nice list: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Google

Mind you that only includes the most high profile (and known) stuff. Plenty of skeletons still in the closet

Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#332

Post by portaouflop »

SoftTalker wrote: post #312
HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think a problem is that we have to look at shady, ruthless, unethical and illegal actions as different categories, but to many people they are all the same. Of course, you don't want to leave a trail of bodies in your wake but Life's not a bowl of cherries and taking a Pollyanna approach to business won't get you very far.

Yes, and even just the normal business attitude of "our goal is to make a profit, not solve all the world's social problems" is viewed as "unethical" by many people (most of whom have never run a business).

If your business’s goal is only “make money” and not solve any real human problems then it should not exist.

Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#333

Post by asdfman123 »

pjmorris wrote: post #182
asdfman123 wrote: post #80

The Caro books on the LBJ presidency are incredible biographies. LBJ did crazy things to get where he got.

I've only read the first of Caro's LBJ biographies, 'The Path to Power', but I'd very much agree. I plan to read one annually, but last year's Caro was 'The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York.' How Moses acquired the power (genius, legislation, money and, through them, influence) to physically reshape New York City and State seems pretty relevant to understanding how things work today. I consider Car…

I just finished the first and I'm halfway through the second one, Means of Ascent. It's granted a little slower than the first.

It helps to listen to them as audiobooks because I can play them at the gym or something or on my commute and don't have to get too focused on the details.

Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#335

Post by SoftTalker »

portaouflop wrote: post #332
SoftTalker wrote: post #312

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, and even just the normal business attitude of "our goal is to make a profit, not solve all the world's social problems" is viewed as "unethical" by many people (most of whom have never run a business).

If your business’s goal is only “make money” and not solve any real human problems then it should not exist.

It doesn't have to be the only goal, but if you're not making money you will not be able to achieve anything else. So it's the thing that enables any other goals you might have (and, I might add, it's the main thing that makes it worth the risk, vs. just putting your money in savings bonds or something).

Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#336

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

portaouflop wrote: post #332
SoftTalker wrote: post #312

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, and even just the normal business attitude of "our goal is to make a profit, not solve all the world's social problems" is viewed as "unethical" by many people (most of whom have never run a business).

If your business’s goal is only “make money” and not solve any real human problems then it should not exist.

What "real human problem" is a coffee shop solving?

Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#337

Post by markus_zhang »

ghaff wrote: post #326
markus_zhang wrote: post #308

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have read that too, twice. I love the part that they talked about the microcode, and all others too. Maybe you should write a post about your experience too :) I'm sure it's going to be a blast to read.

As I say, I was a bit later--mid-eighties--but I knew Jim Guyer who was one of the microkids as I recall. Helped setup an interview for Command Line Heroes podcast. Do need to get back into writing. Next week. Really.

Please do! Do you plan to write a book or blogs? Please let us know. I'll look for the podcast at least.

Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#338

Post by jrflowers »

pjmorris wrote: post #208
throwaway81523 wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I remember a few years ago Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters rock band died unexpectedly and the cause of death was not immediately revealed. I was disappointed to learn sometime later that the cause had been heart failure. If I were a member of the Foo Fighters and had to die at the relatively early age of 50, of course I would have wanted it to be in a bar fight. Come to think of it, Bar Fighters might be a good n…

> So is starting a tribute rock band an ok alternative to reading books? That might depend on how you feel about 'Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991', which is a book about bands starting.

Instead of reading that book there is a painting called Smiling Girl, a Courtesan, Holding an Obscene Image by Gerard van Honthorst that’s worth checking out

Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#339

Post by Jimpulse »

Wohlf wrote: post #284
akudha wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When I was a kid, I read about Jack Welch and thought he was great. Later I learned of all the shenanigans he pulled, not just unethical, but illegal stuff. And the way he trampled people. Bill Gates is a respected philanthropist today, he too did all kinds of shady, ruthless stuff to get to the top. Everywhere I look, same story - Amazon, Facebook, Google... The only big company I think is okay is Costco - either th…

From what I hear Costco is also changing after their new CEO took over and the stock skyrocketed.

You talking about Ron Vachris? The guy who started his career as a Costco forklift driver?

Re: Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things

#340

Post by krysp »

Jimmc414 wrote: post #154

Endurance - about Ernest Shackleton and his crew during their 1914-1916 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance:_Shackleton%27s_In...

A top recommendation along these lines is The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garard; a member of the Scott expedition to the south pole, which goes into detail of his winter journey (which the title refers to). One of the best historical adventure books I've read
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