The book is about author's experience at a startup company. The author being a journalist has described the issues of new startup culture in a lucid way. However, unlike a neutral observer, the author is part of the narrative and hence his views are biased. The author does a good job in portraying the company in bad light. At the same time, he does an even better job in showing himself in poorer light.
After reading the book, one can understand the flaws of the current startup frenzy. These days we are seeing many startups, which are not backed by solid business model. The startups are also focused on creating hype and focusing more on sales, marketing, and less on building a good product. Instead of focusing on profits, the focus is on growing fast by leveraging the VC funding. As a result, most of the startups are losing a lot of money. However, the founders are still able to make a fortune.
The book also highlights ageism, racism, and sexism in the startup companies.
But the author could have done a much better job in highlighting the issues in an unbiased way and without showing his own flaws.
In the narrative, the author has joined the company in desperation after being fired from his previous company. His reason for staying at the company is never to add value or contribute to the company's goal. He is always hoping to make easy money in the upcoming IPO. At the same time, he leaves no stone unturned in criticizing the company founders and managers for trying to make a successful IPO and not focusing on building a great product. He leaves the company just after IPO and goes on to criticize the company in a book. At the same time, he expects companies to remain loyal to their employees. The author thinks most of the employees in the company as bozos. He looks down upon the younger employees. At the same time, he goes on to complain about ageism.