Idea Man

A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft

By: Paul Allen

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

By his early thirties, Paul Allen was a world-famous billionaire-and that was just the beginning.

In 2007 and 2008, Time named Paul Allen, the cofounder of Microsoft, one of the hundred most influential people in the world. Since he made his fortune, his impact has been felt in science, technology, business, medicine, sports, music, and philanthropy. His passion, curiosity, and intellectual rigor-combined with the resources to launch and support new initiatives-have literally changed the world.

In 2009 Allen discovered that he had lymphoma, lending urgency to his desire to share his story for the first time. In this classic memoir, Allen explains how he has solved problems, what he's learned from his many endeavors-both the triumphs and the failures-and his compelling vision for the future. He reflects candidly on an extraordinary life.

The book also features previously untold stories about everything from the true origins of Microsoft to Allen's role in the dawn of private space travel (with SpaceShipOne) and in discoveries at the frontiers of brain science. With honesty, humor, and insight, Allen tells the story of a life of ideas made real.

Good inspirational book.

Paul Allen tell his story of his life before and after Microsoft. it's a very inspirational book that shows not only what to do but what not to do in business and in life.

Comprehensive excellence

I loved this book. It’s comprehensive, i learned a lot and Paul Allen was a great guy.

More than just Microsoft

If you could sum up Idea Man in three words, what would they be?

Empathetic, insightful, intriguing

What did you like best about this story?

It was more than just Microsoft. It gave you insight into what seemed like the human side of Microsoft as well as other parts of Paul Allen's life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

...more than code.

Any additional comments?

A good read to learn about the cofounder of Microsoft and many other companies, foundations, and ideas.

Engaging, biographical and technical

Describes the mix of technological conditions, skills and opportunity that led to the inception of Microsoft. Paul Allen was certainly on par to Bill Gates. The narrator does a superb job in this audiobook.

The part about Microsoft is good

Any additional comments?

Great account of Microsoft's early years. Too bad it is only a third of the book. The rest is about Allen's other activities, which are not so interesting.