Do you have recommendations for books on unsuccessful startups?
There are thousands of books out there that tell us about all kinds of successful and inspiring companies, and why they are successful.
But what about promising companies that failed in the first two years, and why they failed?
Do you have recommendations on good books dedicated to failures?
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+1 I learn the most from my own failures -- and would love to learn from others! Let me know if you find -- or choose to write this book! – Joseph Barisonzi 13 years ago
9 Answers
While you wait for the book here are some reaousrces you might like:
From Paul Graham one of the co-founders of Y-Combinator there is this great essay: The 18 mistakes that kill a Start-up.
I have this essay by Steve Spalding bookmarked since 2007 and reference it a lot: How to ensure your start-up will fail.
The classic book on a software failure is the one done about Netscape. "Competing on Internet Time" is an amazing inside look at why Netscape failed in its battle with Microsoft.
I tremendously enjoyed this book and learned a lot about what can be done wrong from it.
How about "In Search of Stupidity: Over Twenty Years of High Tech Marketing Disasters" Is on Joels 'product manager reading list' I believe - basic premise is that nearly all hi-tech/software companies fail because they do something very very stupid. If you look at Microsoft they have a lot of head slapping moments, but have done nothing catastrophically stupid.
The movie Startup.com has some good insights about reasons businesses fail too. I highly recommend this documentary.
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What I got from Startup.com was that they seemed to be much more focused on getting more and more funding than on producing a product that worked and was useful. – Alex Aotea Studios 13 years ago
Check these books out :
- Success Built to Last : This book is written based on research and interview several built-to-last people. You can know how they think, how they react to their failures and etc.
- Built to Last : It is same as above. It is written based on research of several company which is survived for more than 50 years.
- It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be : A good book which teach us how we face failures.
- Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite : This book teaches us how to think.
The most important is just follow your heart. Get Things Done!
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Please use long links (not affiliated) and not short ones. – Ross 13 years ago
One of the most popular books describing a failed startup is... "Startup " by Jerry Kaplan. It tells the story of the first pen PDA, competing with Apple and Microsoft, and ultimately failing with all kinds of boardroom drama.
Two books that I really enjoyed reading are
Boo Hoo and dot.bomb
http://www.amazon.com/Boo-Hoo-Dot-com-Concept-Catastrophe/dp/0099418371/ http://www.amazon.com/dot-bomb-Days-Nights-Internet-Goliath/dp/B000FILLLE/
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Boo Hoo is awesome. Almost reads like a thriller. – Susan Jones 13 years ago
f&*cked company? it started as a blog then became a book I believe
I read this book a few years ago and learned so much from it. It's a great read!
http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Code-Programmers-Transcendent-Software/dp/1400082471/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308623429&sr=8-1
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I liked this book too. It shows that even with funding there's plenty of ways to fail. – Alex Aotea Studios 13 years ago
