Download or read book The PayPal Wars written by Eric M. Jackson and published by WND Books. This book was released on 2006 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Peter Thiel and Max Levchin launched an online payment website in 1999, they hoped their service could improve the lives of millions around the globe. But when their start-up, PayPal, survived the dot.com crash only to find itself besieged by unimaginable challenges, that dream threatened to become a nightmare. PayPal's history as told by former insider Eric Jackson is an engrossing study of human struggle and perseverance against overwhelming odds. The entrepreneurs that Thiel and Levchin recruited to overhaul world currency markets first had to face some of the greatest trials ever thrown at a Silicon Valley company before they could make internet history. Revised and updated, this narrative is an adventure in capitalism. Reveals how PayPal went from bleeding $10 million per month to becoming a financial powerhouse. Sheds light on eBay's current woes, and PayPal's pending showdown with Google. -- Publisher.
Download or read book The PayPal Wars written by Eric M. Jackson and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2023-07-18 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and the rest of the “PayPal Mafia” are now household names who’ve reshaped technology, automobiles, space travel, and politics. But two decades ago, they were unsung entrepreneurs attempting to launch a Silicon Valley startup against overwhelming odds. That improbable journey started in the shadow of Stanford University, when Thiel met Max Levchin, a Ukrainian engineer who recently moved to California. Years before anyone had heard of Bitcoin, the two set out to build an online payment service that could reduce government control over currency by empowering people around the globe. But after their startup, PayPal, survived the dot-com crash only to find itself besieged by an unimaginable series of challenges, that lofty dream threatened to become a nightmare. Former insider Eric M. Jackson’s telling of PayPal’s origins is an eyewitness account to technology history, as well as an engrossing story of human struggle and perseverance against overwhelming odds. PayPal went from unknown startup to online powerhouse in just three years, but for the company's team it was not an easy journey. The entrepreneurs that joined together to overhaul world currency markets first had to face one of the greatest series of trials ever thrown at a startup before becoming part of Silicon Valley lore. Jackson's lively, blow-by-blow account of PayPal's death-defying beginnings and ferocious battles offers a detailed perspective that only an eyewitness could provide. Read The PayPal Wars and you'll learn how: Elon Musk joined with Peter Thiel, and how the two future titans would soon square off to control the company. Organized crime attempted to ransack PayPal—but the company fought back. Government bureaucrats and regulators ferociously tried to shut down the upstart payments service. Turmoil pushed PayPal to the brink of insolvency before Thiel and his team turned the business around. “Our clashes with the credit card associations, the banking lobby, state regulators, foreign Mafioso, and litigation-happy lawyers significantly increased” as the company’s profile grew, writes Jackson, adding that the initial public offering that was meant to strengthen PayPal with an infusion of cash ironically attracted a rogue's gallery of foes instead. "The modern business environment," Jackson concludes, "turned out to be more hostile than even our fiercest competitor." This somber warning—that regulators, lawyers, and lobbyists threaten to undermine American entrepreneurship—makes The PayPal Wars a timely read for every concerned citizen.
Download or read book The Founders written by Jimmy Soni and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2022-02-22 with total page 484 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2022 BY THE NEW YORKER National Bestseller * New York Times Editors’ Choice * Financial Times “Books to Read in 2022” A SABEW BEST IN BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS FINALIST “A gripping account of PayPal’s origins and a vivid portrait of the geeks and contrarians who made its meteoric rise possible” (The Wall Street Journal)—including Elon Musk, Amy Rowe Klement, Peter Thiel, Julie Anderson, Max Levchin, Reid Hoffman, and many others whose stories have never been shared. Today, PayPal’s founders and earliest employees are considered the technology industry’s most powerful network. Since leaving PayPal, they have formed, funded, and advised the leading companies of our era, including Tesla, Facebook, YouTube, SpaceX, Yelp, Palantir, and LinkedIn, among many others. As a group, they have driven twenty-first-century innovation and entrepreneurship. Their names stir passions; they’re as controversial as they are admired. Yet for all their influence, the story of where they first started has gone largely untold. Before igniting the commercial space race or jumpstarting social media’s rise, they were the unknown creators of a scrappy online payments start-up called PayPal. In building what became one of the world’s foremost companies, they faced bruising competition, internal strife, the emergence of widespread online fraud, and the devastating dot-com bust of the 2000s. Their success was anything but certain. In The Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley, award-winning author and biographer Jimmy Soni explores PayPal’s turbulent early days. With hundreds of interviews and unprecedented access to thousands of pages of internal material, he shows how the seeds of so much of what shapes our world today—fast-scaling digital start-ups, cashless currency concepts, mobile money transfer—were planted two decades ago. He also reveals the stories of countless individuals who were left out of the front-page features and banner headlines but who were central to PayPal’s success. Described as “an intensely magnetic chronicle” (The New York Times) and “engrossing” (Business Insider), The Founders is a story of iteration and inventiveness—the products of which have cast a long and powerful shadow over modern life. This narrative illustrates how this rare assemblage of talent came to work together and how their collaboration changed our world forever.
Download or read book Dressing a Galaxy written by Trisha Biggar and published by Insight Editions. This book was released on 2005-10 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this exquisite volume, the intricate and beautiful fashions that have appeared in all six "Star Wars(" films are on display--from military gear to royal gowns and the iconic garbs of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader.
Download or read book A Piece of the Action written by Joe Nocera and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2013-10-15 with total page 480 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Now with a new introduction describing the fallout of America’s consumer credit boom, 1994’s wildly acclaimed bestseller A Piece of the Action tells the story of how millions of middle class Americans went from being savers to borrowers and investors through the invention of credit cards, mutual funds, and IRAs—resulting in profound societal change. “America began to change on a mid-September day in 1958, when the Bank of America dropped its first 60,000 credit cards on the unassuming city of Fresno, California.” So begins Joe Nocera’s riveting account of one of the most astonishing revolutions in modern American life—what Nocera labels “the money revolution.” In the decades since, the middle class has gained access to credit cards, to mutual funds, to retirement accounts—and to hundreds of other financial vehicles that have allowed everyone to get “a piece of the action.” In this lively, engaging book, some of the great financial characters of modern times—from Charles Merrill to Charles Schwab to Peter Lynch—strut across the stage as the course of this great financial shift is charted. In an all-new introduction, Nocera takes a look back at the consequences of the money revolution. Were members of the middle class as prepared as the innovators claimed to take control of their financial lives? Or did events like the dot-com and the housing bubbles suggest something else: that far too many of us lacked the wherewithal to make sound investment decisions?
Download or read book Homefront 911 written by Stacy Bannerman and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2015-10-06 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The hallmarks of America’s War on Terror have been repeated long deployments and a high percentage of troops returning with psychological problems. Family members of combat veterans are at a higher risk of potentially lethal domestic violence than almost any other demographic; it’s estimated that one in four children of active-duty service members have symptoms of depression; and nearly one million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan require increased care due to physical or psychological trauma. But, despite these staggering trends, civilian America has not been mobilized to take care of the families left behind; the American Homefront, which traditionally has been rallied to support the nation’s war efforts, has disappeared. In Homefront 911 Stacy Bannerman, a nationally-recognized advocate for military families, provides an insider’s view of how more than a decade of war has contributed to the emerging crisis we are experiencing in today’s military and veteran families as they battle with overwhelmed VA offices, a public they feel doesn’t understand their sacrifices, and a nation that still isn’t fully prepared to help those who have given so much. Bannerman, whose husband served in Iraq, describes how extended deployments cause cumulative, long-lasting strain on families who may not see their parent, child, or spouse for months on end. She goes on to share the tools she and others have found to begin to heal their families, and advocates policies for advancing programs, services, and civilian support, all to help repair the broken agreement that the nation will care for its returning soldiers and their families. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history—books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
Download or read book Rural America written by Clyford L. Lewis and published by Nova Science Publishers. This book was released on 2014-11-07 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Our rural communities are home to some of the most hard working and fiercely self-reliant Americans in the United States. Strong and secure rural communities are essential to creating an economy built to last that rewards hard work and responsibility - not outsourcing, loopholes, and risky financial deals. This text lays out the economic landscape rural America faces today and presents some of the administration's many efforts to promote economic growth and job creation in rural communities.
Download or read book Amazonia written by James Marcus and published by The New Press. This book was released on 2010-08-10 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A “funny, contemplative” memoir of working at Amazon in the early years, when it was a struggling online bookstore (San Francisco Chronicle). In a book that Ian Frazier has called “a fascinating and sometimes hair-raising morality tale from deep inside the Internet boom,” James Marcus, hired by Amazon.com in 1996—when the company was so small his e-mail address could be [email protected]—looks back at the ecstatic rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable comeback of the consummate symbol of late 1990s America. Observing “how it was to be in the right place (Seattle) at the right time (the ’90s)” (Chicago Reader), Marcus offers a ringside seat on everything from his first interview with Jeff Bezos to the company’s bizarre Nordic-style retreats, in “a clear-eyed, first-person account, rife with digressions on the larger cultural meaning throughout” (Henry Alford, Newsday). “Marcus tells his story with wit and candor.” —Booklist, starred review
Download or read book How Star Wars Conquered the Universe written by Chris Taylor and published by Basic Books. This book was released on 2015-10-06 with total page 490 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1973, a young filmmaker named George Lucas scribbled some notes for a far-fetched space-fantasy epic. Some forty years and 37 billion later, Star Wars -- related products outnumber human beings, a growing stormtrooper army spans the globe, and "Jediism" has become a religion in its own right. Lucas's creation has grown into far more than a cinematic classic; it is, quite simply, one of the most lucrative, influential, and interactive franchises of all time. Yet incredibly, until now the complete history of Star Wars -- its influences and impact, the controversies it has spawned, its financial growth and long-term prospects -- has never been told. In How Star Wars Conquered the Universe, veteran journalist Chris Taylor traces the series from the difficult birth of the original film through its sequels, the franchise's death and rebirth, the prequels, and the preparations for a new trilogy. Providing portraits of the friends, writers, artists, producers, and marketers who labored behind the scenes to turn Lucas's idea into a legend, Taylor also jousts with modern-day Jedi, tinkers with droid builders, and gets inside Boba Fett's helmet, all to find out how Star Wars has attracted and inspired so many fans for so long. Since the first film's release in 1977, Taylor shows, Star Wars has conquered our culture with a sense of lightness and exuberance, while remaining serious enough to influence politics in far-flung countries and spread a spirituality that appeals to religious groups and atheists alike. Controversial digital upgrades and poorly received prequels have actually made the franchise stronger than ever. Now, with a savvy new set of bosses holding the reins and Episode VII on the horizon, it looks like Star Wars is just getting started. An energetic, fast-moving account of this creative and commercial phenomenon, How Star Wars Conquered the Universe explains how a young filmmaker's fragile dream beat out a surprising number of rivals to gain a diehard, multigenerational fan base -- and why it will be galvanizing our imaginations and minting money for generations to come.
Download or read book The Diversity Myth written by David O. Sacks and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a powerful exploration of the debilitating impact that politically-correct "multiculturalism" has had upon higher education and academic freedom in the United States. In the name of diversity, many leading academic and cultural institutions are working to silence dissent and stifle intellectual life. This book exposes the real impact of multiculturalism on the institution most closely identified with the politically correct decline of higher education--Stanford University. Authored by two Stanford graduates, this book is a compelling insider's tour of a world of speech codes, "dumbed-down" admissions standards and curricula, campus witch hunts, and anti-Western zealotry that masquerades as legitimate scholarly inquiry. Sacks and Thiel use numerous primary sources--the Stanford Daily, class readings, official university publications--to reveal a pattern of politicized classes, housing, budget priorities, and more. They trace the connections between such disparate trends as political correctness, the gender wars, Generation X nihilism, and culture wars, showing how these have played a role in shaping multiculturalism at institutions like Stanford. The authors convincingly show that multiculturalism is not about learning more; it is actually about learning less. They end their comprehensive study by detailing the changes necessary to reverse the tragic disintegration of American universities and restore true academic excellence.
Download or read book War Master s Gate written by Adrian Tchaikovsky and published by Pan Macmillan. This book was released on 2013-08 with total page 738 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Empire is marching relentlessly towards its final confrontation with Collegium. Empress Seda will brook no weakness in her soldiers, and either she or her bitter enemy Stenwold msut claim a final victory to determine the fate of the city. Yet the campaign may be decided far away from the armies and noise of battle. In the shadows of an ancient Mantis forest the Empress is undertaking her own personal quest for the lost power of the old world, and Cheerwell Maker is determined to stop her at any cost. The struggle between two rival magicians awakens something far deadlier, a force that could make even the clash of nations pale into insignificance.
Download or read book Highland Warrior written by David Stevenson and published by Birlinn. This book was released on 2014-07-31 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A compelling and dramatic sweep through some of the most eventful years in Scottish history, told in a text both authoritative and highly readable. In 1644 James Grahame, Marquis of Montrose, stormed his way into legend with a series of astonishing victories over the Covenanters. At his side stalked a shadowy but terrible ally - Alasdair MacColla, who had a far more ancient agenda of his own. MacColla's aim was nothing less than the effective destruction of the power of Clan Campbell and its replacement by the older overlordship of the Macdonalds. MacColla was the first - and perhaps the last - great Celtic general of modern times, who lived at a dynamic time which saw the increasingly forgotten and marginalised Gaelic speaking peoples of Scotland and Ireland nearly succeed in regaining control of their lands and destiny. The author argues that it was in fact MacColla and not Montrose who was the true architect of the 'Year of Victories', and that without his Highland ally, Montrose's blunders would have doomed him to disaster, thus presenting a compelling and radical reappraisal of Scottish history during the crucial years of the 1640s. As MacColla's actions were unwittingly to lead his people and culture to ruin, so his own career ended in chaos when, despite leading his own troops in a victorious charge, an incompetent general led him to defeat and death at Knocknanuss in Ireland.
Download or read book The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy written by Jody Duncan Jesser and published by ABRAMS. This book was released on 2012-11-01 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Behind the scenes—and the mask—of the great Batman film trilogy, including stunning illustrations. In 2005, director Christopher Nolan reimagined and forever redefined the Batman legend when he began his epic trilogy of films—Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises—starring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader in a fresh, dynamic reboot of the franchise. All three films would go on to blockbuster success and critical acclaim—including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Heath Ledger’s unforgettable performance as Batman’s eternal nemesis, the Joker. The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy tells the complete story of these three monumental films. Based on in-depth interviews with Nolan and all of the films’ key cast and crew—including cowriters David S. Goyer and Jonathan Nolan, cinematographer Wally Pfister, and more—the book reveals the creative process behind the epic Dark Knight Trilogy, supported by lavish art and on and off-set photos. This is a fascinating glimpse into the minds that gave new life to one of the most beloved and renowned superheroes in history.
Download or read book The Anatomy of the Swipe written by Ahmed Siddiqui and published by . This book was released on 2020-04-08 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Have you ever wondered what happens during a swipe of a credit card? Every major tech company will become a payments company. Yet, not many people understand how payment systems in the US work. Those that do "get it" are unlocking multi-billion dollar opportunities. If you've ever wondered what happens when you actually swipe/dip/tap your credit card or debit card then The Anatomy of the Swipe breaks down the details in the simplest manner possible. Here are some questions answered within these pages: How does money move from my credit card to my favorite coffee shop? How can I build a neo-bank? How can I build my own debit or credit card? How can I accept card based payments? The Anatomy of the Swipe speaks to software developers and entrepreneurs who are looking at implementing card-based payments for the first time, merchants who want to be able to accept payments for a website or store, or those who want to issue their own debit/credit card. This book walks beginners through modern innovations created because of card-based payments, as well as the motivations and revenue models of each party in the payments ecosystem.
Download or read book The Art of Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones written by Mark Cotta Vaz and published by Del Rey. This book was released on 2002 with total page 234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Visual tour of the sequel to Star Wars episode 1 : the phantom menace.
Download or read book The Art of Star Wars The Force Awakens written by Phil Szostak and published by Harry N. Abrams. This book was released on 2015-12-18 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Featuring exclusive interviews with the entire creative team of "Star Wars, The Force Awakens," a visual collection includes hundreds of works of art, including production paintings, concept sketches, storyboards, blueprints, and matte paintings.
Download or read book The Making of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith written by J. W. Rinzler and published by Lucas Books. This book was released on 2005 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Venture behind the scenes of the making of Star Wars, revenge of the Sith.
