About the Internet of Things, and Then Again Not.

The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future, By Steve Case. The study begins with Steve Case’s history on his way to creating and being the originating force behind America Online. It tells the story of his setbacks and how unintended consequences allowed him to create AOL. The book professes to be about the internet of things, or as Steve Chase asserts, the internet of everything. The book though is not centered on the internet of things, but rather is a business autobiography of Steve Case. The biography stands in as a preface to explaining why the future of online business lies with an understating of the internet of things.

Steve Case delivers the story himself. Undoubtedly, we have here the “case” of a successful billionaire armored with his ability to achieve. He believes in himself. He shouldn’t; at least as to being a professional reader. He is not. His voice is a little shrill, and not smoothly tonal. More tensile than soothing or even interesting.

The story itself has many thought-provoking side stories and facts about the growth of internet and the progenitor businesses it allowed to come into being. For example, we learn how AOL grew, the AOL Time Warner merger, and the Time Warner failure. Albeit an, “I am blameless” explanation of the fiasco is laid out in this book, but perhaps that is the truth. There are also tales of Microsoft’s Paul Allan and Bill Gates and Apple’s Steve Jobs. The overall book builds in a consistent timeline but still does not feel like a cohesively tale. There is also great argument on behalf of “impact investing” or the growth of Benefit “B” corporations, and the coming into existence of the JOBS act and its facilities to allow startups to raise capital in crowd funding programs. There are other interesting discussions of the benefit of looking toward other criteria than profit. What value may be sought above and beyond bottom line dollars? Usually an undertaking for those tech people who have “made it.” There is also good thoughts on how government should function to assist job creation for startups (which Case very ably distinguishes from small businesses, something that is almost never distinguished otherwise).

Nevertheless, the story of the internet of things where everything that can possibly issues data is captured and forwarded on for analysis is actually not discussed in the book. If you want to know about where the internet is going, this book will hint to your some thoughts, but certainly not provide you with information that will teach you about the internet of things. It is worth the time spent on the listen just to learn of Steve Case’s history; but it is not a primer on the internet of things. My ratings should be considered before you take the plunge. It’s not a waste of time but not very good either.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

14 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Waste of time

The third wave was a poorly written empty account of the success of A. O. L. . It is rare that I read a book which is both devoid of entertainment value as well as bereft of any lasting educational content . Walt Isaacson should be ashamed of himself for recommending it especially on CNBC. I guess loyalty is a valuable quality . I doubt Kara Swisher would do the same. Steve if you want to send me s 15 $ check I would cash it . Unfortunately you can't refund my 4 hours.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

9 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

More AOL History than 3rd wave. Good read though.

More AOL History than 3rd wave. Good read though. Should change title as it's misleading.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Mostly a memoir of AOL, less a future vision

75% details of the history of a mostly defunct and now irrelevant company. should have been far more about future projections. Stories of the past can be instructive. This one was mildly interesting from a business perspective, but not too insightful about its intended subject.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Best Book Ever!

I listened to this book in two days. I absolutely loved it. I feel like I have secret information that will be extremely valueable over the next 5 years.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Great read

having been involved in the early online days, I thought Steve did a great job putting it all into perspective in terms of yesterday, today and tomorrow, so to speak.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

is about AOL

I was expecting something else, that's why I didn't liked the book, but if you want to know how AOL.was made then this is your book

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Big tittle for low value

Just Steve Case story
No as expected, a big tittle for a poor content,

Better read Alvin Toffler

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

great insight to the rise of the internet...

great insight to the rise of the internet as we know it. and a wonderful take and foresight into the future of the internet.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

This is THE BEST entrepreneurship book.

I loved how he defines the 1st, 2nd and 3rd wave.
what entrepreneurs had to hurdle with during the 1st and 2nd wave. What it will take to succeed in today's wave.
He makes good points and it also a great history for the new generations.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !