Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

  • Home
  • About
    • My CV
    • Books
    • Series
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Tools
You are here: Home / Books / Zero To One, By: Peter Thiel

Zero To One, By: Peter Thiel

Zero To One, By: Peter Thiel

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
By: Peter Thiel
Virgin Books; 1st Edition (January 1, 2001)

I am not sure what I can say about Zero To One that has not already been said. This book is a classic. I mean, it was originally published over 20 years ago! In short, Thiel talks about entrepreneurship in a fresh and insightful way that makes me want to start a side project once a year. Encouragement to build a brand, seek network effects and economies of scale, harness proprietary technology, and avoid competition gives people a great starting point to success. Zero To One should be required reading in business school. (But don’t go to business school – that’s just me).

Two of my favorite quotes:

WHENEVER I INTERVIEW someone for a job, I like to ask this question: “What important truth do very few people agree with you on?” This question sounds easy because it’s straightforward. Actually, it’s very hard to answer. It’s intellectually difficult because the knowledge that everyone is taught in school is by definition agreed upon. And it’s psychologically difficult because anyone trying to answer must say something she knows to be unpopular. Brilliant thinking is rare, but courage is in even shorter supply than genius.

Tolstoy opens Anna Karenina by observing: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Business is the opposite. All happy companies are different: each one earns a monopoly by solving a unique problem. All failed companies are the same: they failed to escape competition.

Buy On Amazon

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: BooksTagged With: #Books, #MyReadingLife2020

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Free Weekly Newsletter:

Search

Top Posts

  • The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
    The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
  • This Is What I Remember About My Grandfather
    This Is What I Remember About My Grandfather
  • The Applause of Heaven, By: Max Lucado
    The Applause of Heaven, By: Max Lucado
  • Random Thoughts – 340
    Random Thoughts – 340
  • The Repetition
    The Repetition
  • Fundamentally A Loner
    Fundamentally A Loner
  • Never Heard From Them Again
    Never Heard From Them Again
  • 31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams
    31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams
  • Instabooks 323
    Instabooks 323
  • This Is How To Draw A Simple Stagecoach
    This Is How To Draw A Simple Stagecoach

Supporting = Loving

Recent Posts

  • And The Last Heart Will Weep When
  • Random Thoughts – 340
  • Fundamentally A Loner
  • What Is The New World Order?
  • Never Heard From Them Again
  • Coffee Donuts And Children
  • Random Thoughts – 339
  • The 1999 Caedmon’s Call Guild Concert
  • Finally Making It
  • Thankful You Are Here To Chat
  • 2022 Kentucky Derby
  • Random Thoughts – 338
  • Cafe Energy
  • Instabooks 362
  • Overwhelming and Stressful
  • Oblique Humor Is Better Than Anonymity
  • Random Thoughts – 337
  • With You Watching Tinker Bell
  • This Celebrity Grew Up With John McEuen
  • The Magic Of Comedic Confidence
  • Random Thoughts – 336
  • Not Offering Punchlines
  • A Needle In A Haystack, Not A Haystack
  • Living Closer To All Of
  • Instabooks 361

Copyright © 2022 · Generate Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in