christacarter's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating!!! Page turner that leaves you speechless
dev921's review against another edition
dark
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Cancer, Death, Blood, Grief, and Suicide
almostlikequake's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.0
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
Great investigative reporting from the Wall Street Journal journalist who broke the story of the fraud, lying, and hostile work environment at Theranos. Theranos was skyrocketing to the top of the startup world with its innovative methods of blood testing and backed by well-known and well-connected investors and board members. But as time went on, it became apparent their machines were malfunctioning, and Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos's founder, and her second-in-command, Sunny Balwani, took shortcuts right and left to not reveal the dysfunction in both their machinery and their company. Leaving a trail of broken promises, inaccurate test results, and straight-up lies in their wake, Holmes and Balwani continued to sell a tall tale to such industry titans as Safeway and Walgreens, even as the company was collapsing around them. The details and quotes from former employees shared are astonishing - hard to believe the sociopathic behavior of Holmes and Balwani, even as more and more employees raised concerns. Fascinating look at the extent people will go to for riches and fame.
artwitch's review against another edition
5.0
Very informative and entertaining read.
I really enjoyed the style of this book. It gave you the story in an entertaining way! I was scratching my head at just how much went wrong behind the scenes of Theranos.
I really enjoyed the style of this book. It gave you the story in an entertaining way! I was scratching my head at just how much went wrong behind the scenes of Theranos.
karimorton33's review against another edition
4.0
A really great work of investigative journalism! With my personality and the work I do, it’s really hard for me to believe that a company like Theranos could exist and thrive for 10+ years, without anyone doing due diligence, but I suppose as shown by the investigation FOMO is real. It’s heartening to know so many employees had a conscience, but the business owners really didn’t.
One small note, with the audiobook I listened to, the narrator pronounced women in a way I’ve never heard before, and it took me a bit to recognize that was what he was saying. It sounded like weh-min, and threw me off a bit.
One small note, with the audiobook I listened to, the narrator pronounced women in a way I’ve never heard before, and it took me a bit to recognize that was what he was saying. It sounded like weh-min, and threw me off a bit.
hgranger's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating look at the creation and eventual unraveling of Elizabeth Holmes’ fraudulent company Theranos. It is almost unbelievable how many people were fooled by her and invested money or labor in the company.
Carreyrou did a great job as an investigative journalist in bringing all this to life and he did a good job with the book; it was super hard to put it down. His bravery and that of the whistleblowers is beyond impressive.
I hope the current court case against Holmes lets her feel the consequences of her actions, but I doubt it. She is charismatic and seems like every act is calculated to get her where she wants to be; her conveniently timed pregnancy to show her as a vulnerable woman is only one example of this.
Carreyrou did a great job as an investigative journalist in bringing all this to life and he did a good job with the book; it was super hard to put it down. His bravery and that of the whistleblowers is beyond impressive.
I hope the current court case against Holmes lets her feel the consequences of her actions, but I doubt it. She is charismatic and seems like every act is calculated to get her where she wants to be; her conveniently timed pregnancy to show her as a vulnerable woman is only one example of this.