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louisebowden's review against another edition
4.0
actually insane that she got away w this as long as she did. engaging and riveting writing, speed through this
jr2234's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fascinating and meticulously researched account of the Theranos saga. I’ve watched both the HBO documentary and listened to the ABC News podcast, and this book provided many additional details that I didn’t have otherwise.
I do wish that the novel covered a bit more of the emotional side of the Theranos fraud, that some of the super science-y jargon was explained better, and that there was a bit of speculation at the end of where the case could go from the time of writing. These are minor wishes and I overall enjoyed this a lot and would recommend reading it.
I do wish that the novel covered a bit more of the emotional side of the Theranos fraud, that some of the super science-y jargon was explained better, and that there was a bit of speculation at the end of where the case could go from the time of writing. These are minor wishes and I overall enjoyed this a lot and would recommend reading it.
booksrockcal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
I was late to the game on this book but I’m glad I finally read it (for the OGC Book Club). Now that Elizabeth Holmes has been tried, convicted, and begun her prison sentence some would say that there would be no point to reading the book written 6 years ago- but they would be wrong. The book is a fascinating page turner. It’s the story of a brilliant Stanford dropout who has the idea to create a method for taking and analyzing blood from a pinprick in a desktop machine. The idea could revolutionize medicine. Holmes manages to get many big name tech investors such as Ted Draper and politicos like George Schulz and Henry Kissenger and moguls like Rupert Murdoch to invest in her company. However the product she created doesn’t work, either because the machines break down or they give false readings - but that doesn’t stop Holmes who lies and covers up the results and fires employees who might blow the whistle and makes them sign NDAs and sics super lawyer David Boies on them- and meanwhile gets Safeway and Walgreens to invest as early adapters of the product. Due to the coverups Holmes is hailed as the next Steve Jobs by Fortune and Forbes and her company is valued at $9 billion. When some employees with consciences approach the Wall Street Journal, John Carreyrou begins investigating and despite threats and lies he publishes the story that tells the truth about the company (and saves millions from the effect of inaccurate blood tests/diagnoses). Anyone interested in corporate wrongdoing, business and legal ethics, the tech industry, and the value of investigative journalism will love this book. It didn’t matter that I knew how it ended, with Holmes’s conviction- the story of how we got there was riveting and engrossing.
katherinejanewright's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0