I’m Feeling Lucky: The Confessions of Google Employee Number 59
Release date: June 16, 2011 / 390 pages
Synopsis (from the back cover): Comparing Google to an ordinary business is like comparing a rocket to an Edsel. No academic analysis or bystander’s account can capture it. Now Doug Edwards, Employee Number 59, offers the first inside view of Google, giving readers a chance to fully experience the bizarre mix of camaraderie and competition at this phenomenal company.
First Sentence: Larry Page is an intense guy.
Review: In I’m Feeling Lucky: The Confessions of Google Employee Number 59, Doug Edwards provides an engaging, approachable, and entertaining look at how Google went from a renegade start-up to a sprawling, S-1 corporation in just seven years. Edwards closes his work with the following words: “After Google, I find myself impatient with the way the world works. Why is it so hard to schedule a recording on my DVR? Why aren’t all the signal lights synched to keep traffic flowing at optimum speed? These are… solvable problems. Smart people, motivated to make things better, can do almost anything. I feel lucky to have seen first hand just how true that is.”
What saves this memoir from becoming an insufferable love letter to his former employer is Doug’s unique position as a brand marketer in a company that distains brand marketing. At Google, engineers rule and believe if they build the best product, users will come. So, Edwards is actually an outsider in many regards and is not afraid to point out the hubris of the founders, who believe in “efficiency, frugality, integrity” above all else.
I loved reading about Google’s journey from an unknown search engine into an indispensible aspect of our daily lives. Taking a peek at the masterminds behind Google was fascinating, as was learning about the culture–playful and creative, yet competitive and extremely demanding.
Readers do not need a technical background to enjoy I’m Feeling Lucky, although this would only add to the enjoyment. Edwards is an English major with a great sense of humor, but with little background in HTML or coding and readers do not need one either. A big thank you to Shelf Awareness for asking me to read and review this one!
I found this book very interesting – I work with many aspects of search engines in my day job and reading about the history of Google was a treat. Especially given Edwards’s perspective – I felt like we were getting a slightly different picture from that traditionally portrayed.
This would be a very different read for me and I’d love the chance to win a copy!
Thanks
Very interesting, Kristen. I’m adding “I’m Feeling Luck” to my wishlist right now. I swore off business books years ago – the kind usually written by academics or motivational speakers promising their ‘secrets to success’. But I love reading about real success from, well, really successful people and companies.
Before reading your review I assumed the book would consist mostly of bashing from a disgruntled former employee. Your review seems to indicate it’s quite the opposite.
And as a former Fortune 500 brand marketer myself, I’m pretty sure I will be able relate to some of Edwards’ frustrations.
Thanks for the bringing the book to my attention!