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
An empathetic and informed listening experience about the people who find solace and acceptance in AI relationships.
Todd delivers a cutting-edge audiobook on the current status of AI and the people who develop intimate relationships with it. Major platforms providing AI engagement, including OpenAI and Anthropic, promote applications that provide always-on, humanlike support and friendship—with major caveats. User privacy cannot be guaranteed, and in some cases, AI platforms may engage in shockingly unsafe interactions. With a seasoned, engaging voice, Todd relates compelling examples of human-AI relationships. Recorded clips of interviews with experts, providing insights on the impact of these relationships with big-picture analysis, are included.
An empathetic and informed listening experience about the people who find solace and acceptance in AI relationships.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 55 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668179826
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: today
© 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.
