The Hard Thing About Hard Things - Ben Horowitz

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

By Ben Horowitz

  • Release Date: 2014-03-04
  • Genre: Management & Leadership
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 557 Ratings
Buy on Amazon

Description

Ben Horowitz, cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley's most respected and experienced entrepreneurs, offers essential advice on building and running a startup—practical wisdom for managing the toughest problems business school doesn’t cover, based on his popular ben’s blog.

While many people talk about how great it is to start a business, very few are honest about how difficult it is to run one. Ben Horowitz analyzes the problems that confront leaders every day, sharing the insights he’s gained developing, managing, selling, buying, investing in, and supervising technology companies. A lifelong rap fanatic, he amplifies business lessons with lyrics from his favorite songs, telling it straight about everything from firing friends to poaching competitors, cultivating and sustaining a CEO mentality to knowing the right time to cash in.

Filled with his trademark humor and straight talk, The Hard Thing About Hard Things is invaluable for veteran entrepreneurs as well as those aspiring to their own new ventures, drawing from Horowitz's personal and often humbling experiences.

Reviews

  • The best read For women building business in developing nations

    5
    By MeThando
    As a woman leading a IT business in a developing nation, this is one of the most relatable, informative and guiding books I’ve read to date. Written in simple and forthright language, it captures Ben’s reality and maps it again ask your own, and how his wisdom can you enlightenment and courage. It truly is for people and women like me, who face incredible difficulties in building businesses that will live beyond our tenure.

  • Has achieved so much, but is tone deaf

    2
    By lizgrequeen
    There are definitely some small nuggets of start tech start wisdom sprinkled throughout this book. But the fact that it was printed with so many rap artists lyrics including a word this white man (should not) dare say in conversation, type in the email, Tweet, etc. Basic 101. Additionally, there are just so many tone deaf statements that made me just want to put the book down. For example, he described someone as acting schizophrenic. It's 2022. Fix this before you print. And do your homework. This is not the same level as cursing at work.

  • Best book on entrepreneurship of read to date

    5
    By TDSanchez031990
    I feel like I finished an MBA in management science after reading this book. Ben’s real-world experience give credence to every single piece of advice he gives in the book. He walks the walk and talks the talk. Wow I might have to read this book 2 or 3 more times to absorb the chalk full of nuggets and good humor all over again.

  • A very articulate book

    5
    By Fahad Jan
    Ben did a fantastic job in putting together this book. It is by far one of the best books I read about entrepreneurship. He succeeded in taking the readers in a journey for building a business. The examples he provide are real experience followed by explanations and additional supporting knowledge about the decisions taken. He reflect well about some challenges he faced as CEO and support his arguments with input from other great entrepreneurs and friends he consider as mentors. I highly recommend this book.

  • Survival guide for start up CEOs

    5
    By Nathan El Dooderino
    Founding CEO is a job for which there is no guidebook, really no rules and everything is hard because it’s all a first time exercise. Ben breaks down some real world examples of problems you commonly face in the framework of his own companies- LoudCloud and Opsware in an incredibly difficult market. It’s absolutely gripping and his insight into his mindset at the time will resonate with any aspiring or current founding CEO.

  • Amazing!

    5
    By nasdaq2k11
    Phenomenal read! Hard lessons about the tough decisions that need to be made in order for organizations to survive 💪🏽

  • Fake

    1
    By edzxcvfsaarv
    Apple does not show all reviews

  • Should be mandatory for all CEOs

    5
    By Adam Honig
    Wow. Compelling, well written and filled with so much great advice that it’s almost hard to absorb. It’s a book I’ll go back to again and again.

  • Couldn't put the book down

    5
    By simizo1
    Edgy and real....just what I needed to start the new year. A great reminder that the best business stories are the personal ones...a must have for anyone in business...a great companion indeed to remind you life is a struggle...embrace it

  • Inspiring book

    5
    By woopra
    Every founding CEO will relate to Ben's story. I wish I read this book before starting my enterprise startup, I would have avoided plenty of hiring mistakes and employee drama.

More by Ben Horowitz