I have a great affection for Michael Lewis. However, this particular book was an outlier for me.

The writing gave the impression of being rushed, and it didn't seem to have been thoroughly edited. Strangely, he alternates between referring to the protagonist as "Jim" and "Clark," and at times, this occurs even within the same sentence.

The storyline has its flaws as well. It becomes overly detailed in areas where it isn't necessary, while lacking in detail in those places where one would typically expect it.

The book is presented from the perspective of Jim Clark, glorifying him while demonizing his opponents. This is contrary to Lewis's usual approach.

Overall, it's not a terrible book, but it does have more flaws on the surface compared to most of his other works.

I'm not entirely certain as to why I completed this book. The writing was of a good standard, yet towards the conclusion, I found myself detesting Jim Clarke. He simply came across as a typical, entitled, money-obsessed, egotistical, and out-of-touch founder hailing from Silicon Valley.

If one's sole value in life is money, then perhaps this story can serve as an inspiration. However, aside from that, I held no respect for Jim's heedless character.

If anything, it proved to be a beneficial history lesson for me. Given that I was born in the '90's, I had never before heard of his companies. Nevertheless, they played a crucial role in the formation of the internet.

It's interesting how a book can have such a polarizing effect on a reader. On one hand, the writing was engaging enough to keep me going until the end. But on the other hand, the character of Jim Clarke left a sour taste in my mouth.

Despite my dislike for him, I have to admit that learning about his companies and their significance in the development of the internet was quite enlightening. It made me realize how much has changed in such a relatively short period of time.

Overall, while I may not have loved this book, it did manage to teach me something new and make me think about the role that money and success play in our lives.

Strong narrative is a crucial element that keeps the book moving forward with great momentum.

There are two significant takeaways from this. Firstly, technology is revolutionizing the rules of the economy. In the fringes of this new economic paradigm, those who don't quite fit the traditional mold can seize control. Adhering to the old rules will almost guarantee that you end up at the bottom, just like the venture capitalists, Swiss bankers, and other financiers of the old world.

Secondly, the perception of having power can lead to real power. Clark did very little to initiate his latest companies except to become a center of intense hype. The buzz around Clark was sufficient to draw together investors and engineers, each lured by the fact that the hype would attract the other. Clark astutely exploited this situation, and when the hype was in danger of fading, he fabricated a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among his investors to keep it alive and thriving.

This shows how perception and the ability to manipulate it can have a profound impact on the success and failure of business ventures in the modern economic landscape.

Not as interesting as I had hoped


I have read both of Steve Jobs's biographies and several nonfictional books related to the financial crisis and the realm of investment banking. I had the anticipation that this particular book would neatly fall into the same category: one that delved into the new economy, new technology, and the mind of a genius and creative individual.


However, with these expectations in place, it turned out to be somewhat anti-climactic. I simply couldn't muster any care or interest for the main character that this book focused on. His interests, which seemed to revolve around boats (boat-boat-boat), failed to engage me. I didn't feel as though I gained any real understanding of him through the pages of this book. It was as if I was only able to view him from a distance or through a window.


The book maintained a certain distance, and perhaps it's no wonder that I almost immediately forgot its contents after finishing it. The impact it had on me was minimal to say the least. It left me feeling disappointed and longing for a more engaging and thought-provoking read.

Michael Lewis is undoubtedly one of my favorite writers.

Although the story itself didn't initially strike me as overly enticing, his remarkable prose had an almost magical quality.

He managed to draw me in with his words, making it an unexpectedly easy and enjoyable read.

His writing style is so engaging that it can turn even a seemingly ordinary story into a captivating one.

With each sentence, he weaves a web of words that traps the reader and refuses to let go until the very end.

It's truly a testament to his talent as a writer that he can take a story that might not have immediately grabbed my attention and make it into something that I couldn't put down.

Michael Lewis has a unique ability to bring characters and events to life on the page, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

Honestly, I'm truly a little amazed that I hadn't read this before. Lewis' profile of Jim Clark offers a captivating and detailed snapshot of the dotcom boom. What's remarkable is that he manages to distance himself to such an extent that it allows the reader to be in a position to form their own independent decision about the subject.

And, as is always the case, it's his extraordinary ability to express his profound insights with absolute perfection that makes Lewis' work truly great.

Everything in Silicon Valley, including the people, was constructed in such a way that no one would perceive it as tragic, or even a little bit sad, when it was inevitably destroyed and replaced by something new. It was like one enormous nostalgia-prevention device. It ensured that the greatest wealth-producing machine in the history of the world was never hampered or gummed up by pointless emotions.

Great read. True life.


Great read. True life.


This story is truly captivating and holds your attention from start to finish. The idea of making one billion dollars is something that most people dream about. And who wouldn't? Jim Clark, a remarkable individual, has an inspiring story to tell. He has not only achieved great success himself but has also helped dozens of people become millionaires. His journey is filled with valuable lessons and insights that can be applied by anyone with the ambition to succeed. By reading this article, you will get a chance to see how he did it and perhaps gain some inspiration for your own life.

This book provides a powerful reminder that the human herd mentality remains constant. It shows that the "next big thing" is highly unpredictable. Out of countless possibilities, only a tiny fraction of the so-called "next big things" will actually turn into something significant.

During this process, bubbles are bound to form, and people often risk their entire life savings in the hope of hitting the jackpot. They seem to be driven by a kind of frenzy, ignoring the potential risks.

Once the gamble is over and they lose their money, they are left empty-handed. What's even more astonishing is that just a decade later, a new generation, lacking historical awareness, will unwittingly repeat the same tragic fate. It's as if history is doomed to repeat itself, and we are unable to break free from this cycle of greed and folly.

This pattern is a sobering reminder of our human nature and the importance of learning from the past to avoid making the same mistakes again.

What you will almost immediately discover,

when you turn the pages of this novel,

is that it follows precisely the same pattern as Lewis’ later novels.

It consists of a number of interwoven story lines that inexorably lead to a single narrative.

That narrative is about the life of Jim Clark, the original prince among princes in Silicon Valley.

If you haven't heard of Jim Clark, don't be despondent.

I myself had only a limited understanding of him despite working in the same industry.

Clark was a visionary and a pioneer,

whose ideas and innovations had a profound impact on the technology world.

His story is one of success, failure, and redemption,

and it offers valuable insights into the nature of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of excellence.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast or simply interested in a good story,

this novel is sure to captivate and inspire you.

https://medium.com/@CorsicanKing/the-...

The New, New Thing by Michael Lewis

This book, interestingly, is not about the disgraced financier Samuel Bankman-Fried. Instead, its main subject is Netscape founder Jim Clark. It delves into the themes of greed and the motivations that drive people to work for someone like Clark, with stock options and the allure of becoming extremely rich being central. The review in the Times highlights that the business of creating and imposing new technology in Silicon Valley is at the core of the American experience. Clark began his journey working for Xerox at PARC. He has a penchant for change and is credited with triggering the internet boom, which led to an astonishing frenzy. He loves to disrupt his environment, as seen with his computer-run sailboat and his enjoyment of expensive machines like sailboats and helicopters. Some incidental facts include the existence of 465 billionaires according to Forbes in July 1999. The Hyperion, a 155-foot-long sloop and a floating computer, had its first run in the rough North Sea where the main mast loosened. The thesis of Veblen, as interpreted by Lewis, is that engineers are seizing power from the financiers, and engineers are creating wealth, as exemplified by companies like Apple and Microsoft. Wealth, according to the New Growth Theory, stems from the human imagination. There is also some history provided, such as the development from Shockley, Fairchild Semi-Conductors, Intel, and the rise of microprocessors and PCs. Instead of building new machines, Clark focused on coming up with new things for computers to do, like with Healtheon. Additionally, there are various other details and events related to Clark's life and his companies, including his experiences with Silicon Graphics, the threats faced by Netscape from Microsoft, and the challenges and opportunities in the business world.

Michael Lewis offers a humorous and intimate look at Silicon Valley in the late 1990s through the eyes of billionaire Jim Clark. Clark founded three notable companies in the Internet revolution: Silicon Graphics, Netscape, and Healtheon.

Lewis defines "the new new thing" as a notion on the verge of being taken seriously in the marketplace, not necessarily a new invention or idea. He follows Clark as he builds a large yacht and a company to revolutionize American healthcare.

Although Lewis hoped for more on Netscape's founding and growth, he only provides a bit of information in hindsight. However, he reveals an interesting tidbit about Clark's motivation for going public with Netscape early: his desire for a bigger boat like Juliet.

Lewis also has great insights into the "Dot-com bubble," including John Doerr's quote about the greatest legal creation of wealth and the atmosphere in the Valley at the time. He discusses how companies were valued based on the number of subscribers, a concept still relevant today.

The book offers insights into both the executive suites and the worker bees in the Valley, such as the importance of youth in the software business due to changing languages. It's full of Silicon Valley cliches and the looming presence of Microsoft.

Overall, the book provides a great portrait of a founder in Jim Clark and a wonderful journalistic account of a celebrated era in American business history, with a great "ah ha" moment at the end.

Jim Clark was the first individual to establish three multi-billion dollar enterprises.

This remarkable book meticulously chronicles the journey of how he accomplished this extraordinary feat.

It offers a captivating exploration into the origins of Silicon Valley, the ascent of Netscape, and the dot-com bubble, as well as all the underlying factors that served as the foundation for these events.

While certain aspects may now seem a bit outdated (for instance, there is almost no mention of search), this book provides a highly insightful perspective on what transpired during the rise of computer technology and the internet. Many of the elements described still bear witness to their profound impact in the present day.

Moreover, since it is penned by Michael Lewis, it guarantees an incredibly engaging and enjoyable read.