Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou

My Thoughts

I’ve heard about Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos but didn’t know much of the details around what had happened or the story leading up to the collapse. The book does a great job outlining the story of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes, displaying all of the smaller stories that happened in tandem and showing how the bad decisions stacked on top of each other until the whole thing collapsed.

It also does a great job showcasing what bad leadership looks like in practice. Obviously the book is written looking back in time, so it’s easier to spot those moments, but it’s genuinely useful to see them laid out so clearly. The pacing keeps things moving without ever losing the thread, and it’s easy to read and follow along. And the title? Come on, bro. A1.