49 pages • 1 hour read
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers
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Book Brief
304
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz offers advice on launching tech startups, drawing from his experiences during the dotcom boom and bust. The book is biographical in its first part, detailing his journey from Netscape to the sale of Opsware and the founding of Andreessen Horowitz. The second part provides lessons on adapting to change, communication, and embracing struggle as a Founder-CEO.
Challenging
Informative
Inspirational
Gritty
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
97,713 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ben Horowitz's The Hard Thing About Hard Things is praised for its brutal honesty and practical wisdom on navigating complex challenges in entrepreneurship. Readers appreciate Horowitz's real-world examples and candid advice. However, some find the language too informal and the content more suited for seasoned entrepreneurs than beginners. Overall, it’s a valuable resource for those in leadership roles.
Who Should Read The Hard Thing About Hard Things?
A reader who would enjoy The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz is a budding entrepreneur, business leader, or tech enthusiast eager for real-life insights into startup challenges. Comparable to Good to Great by Jim Collins and Zero to One by Peter Thiel, they seek practical, candid advice from accomplished thought leaders.
97,713 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Marc Andreessen
Marc Andreessen
A pioneer in web browser development and co-founder of Netscape, Andreessen partnered with Horowitz to create the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, leveraging his expertise and experience in the tech industry.
304
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2014
Adult
18+ years
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