Y Combinator, a Silicon Valley investment/seed money firm, funds just established technology startups on a very selective basis. Author Stross was granted access to its Summer 2011 series of young companies, and this work provides a living chronicle. Rene Ruiz offers a precise and perfectly enunciated narration of the stresses and strains that Y Combinator founder Paul Graham applies in guiding the new entrepreneurs. It’s all here, the 24-hour workdays, the risk taking, the fund-raising, and the stress of getting the product into immediate production. The Dropbox Company is a former participant. Stross perhaps provides too much detail to be helpful—even for business geeks. Obviously, Ruiz, despite his professional effectiveness, cannot give the reading the focus the book lacks. This potentially fascinating story is not well presented.
Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780449807873
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dr. Plotkin is an ethnobotanist who recounts his experiences searching for new medications in the Amazon rain forest. He makes an impassioned plea for the world to stop destroying this irreplaceable resource. Since the author reads his own work, we can rely on the pronunciation of some unusual botanical terms; however, his voice (presumably not trained for performance) lacks the enthusiasm and fascination the words suggest. Furthermore, with no chapter references and few pauses between sections, transitions, such as the change of location from Ecuador to Massachusetts, are awkward.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
First, Simon Winchester, OBE, introduces listeners to the ubiquity of wind and its effects on the world. His careful pronunciation and British accent create an enjoyable backdrop for the conversational style in which stories are integrated with information that demonstrates where and how wind has had a direct influence on all the subjects in the Dewey Decimal System, including culture, arts, science, geography, language, and history. The journalist provides information that is both relatable and educational; topics range from Oz's Dorothy Gale being caught in "America's storm" to examples of how wind has been used for warfare. Winchester's passion for moving air is evident as he reminds listeners that the "wind blows equally for all."
Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063374485
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
