Comments on: Stealing MySpace: The Battle to Control the Most Popular Website in America

By: Twyla

Twyla — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:51:15 +0000

Well written and engaging. Stealing Myspace chronicles Myspace from its ambitious and rocky beginning to its almost unrivaled internet prominence. Julia Angwin also provides insight into the various personalities and key players involved in Myspace’s ascension. Few things are left unexposed. This is a must read for anyone who has ever used Myspace or is simply wondering what’s behind the “hype”.

By: Denis

Denis — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:39:46 +0000

If Variety had a threesome with Wired Magazine and a ColdFusion manual, it would look a lot like this book. It captures a great story of an unlikely internet company (from LA no less) overachieving and does what I think is a great job of walking through the nuances that separate myspace from friendster and a lot of other companies nobody remembers. I think this would make a fantastic movie as it highlights some over-sized personalities/egos, covers the torn friendships that often happen when startups and $$ are involved and shows how a company can capitalize on a shift in technology (digital pictures/mp3. s + broadband) before most people understand what has happened.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:58:41 +0000

The book occasionally lapses into excruciating detail on financial and biographical detail, but it’s a minor annoyance. It is the best book on the emergence of social networks that I have read to date and contains perspective and first-person details that you cannot get elsewhere. It’s good to read this book and be reminded that MySpace was initially no more than a “me to” copycat social network, that was underfunded, managed poorly and had to use second-rate used technology and used network equipment for nearly all of its early history. However, the slightly-insane founders worked like crazy 24/7, made some lucky mistakes such as a programming error that allowed users to customize their profiles (turned out to be a big hit!) and used. . . are you listening? – NON-internet means to help achieve critical mass – parties, networking and road tours. If you are developing a social network read this book.