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alibaba: The Inside Story Behind Jack Ma and the Creation of the World's Biggest Online Marketplace
"Alibaba" is about Alibaba.com and its founder Jack Ma, China's Bill Gates. Ma's story is remarkable: despite growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution, in a period of total state control of the economy, he developed keen entrepreneurial instincts that would eventually allow him to recognise the Internet's ability to transform the way business is done around the world. He realised that an 'ecosystem' had to be built on the Net in order to create a standard way for businesses to operate and then set about creating that ecosystem; with Alibaba.com, the world's biggest business-to-business Web site, you can buy and sell everything, from acrylic blankets to acoustic components, air beds to air-separators, abrasive tools to anchors - and that's just the first letter of the alphabet!Unlike Gates, Ma recognised the potential of the Internet early on, and at critical times made strategic decisions that allowed him to leverage his company to rapid growth. From an initial investment of $60,000 in 1999, Alibaba is now worth around approximately $26 billion and is one of the most acclaimed Internet companies out there. If Microsoft is successful in buying Yahoo (which owns 39 percent of Alibaba), the long-term visions of Bill Gates and Jack Ma may join forces - a scenario to watch.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2009
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257 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 3, 2015
This book should have been far better than it was: the lead author is a Chinese journalist, and the secondary author is an author/translator. So, where was the editor? Why no footnotes supporting the claims, quotes and statistics cited? Why no complex sentences?
Given the importance of China, this book could have been a Must Read for businesses looking to figure out how/what to do in that country. Instead it's a 288-page essay written by someone in the 8th/9th grade. Ma "feels", "knows", "states" but there's no evidence (other than the author's say-so) that he actually does so. There is an index, a glossary and a timeline, but no citations - critical if this is to be taken as more than mere hagiography.
Why Collins Business felt that this was a finished product eludes me. Yes, I read the ARC, but the changes needed for me to recommend this as a resource would have resulted in a completely new book.
Given the importance of China, this book could have been a Must Read for businesses looking to figure out how/what to do in that country. Instead it's a 288-page essay written by someone in the 8th/9th grade. Ma "feels", "knows", "states" but there's no evidence (other than the author's say-so) that he actually does so. There is an index, a glossary and a timeline, but no citations - critical if this is to be taken as more than mere hagiography.
Why Collins Business felt that this was a finished product eludes me. Yes, I read the ARC, but the changes needed for me to recommend this as a resource would have resulted in a completely new book.
December 26, 2009
While it was interesting learning a bit about Ma and alibaba, this book comes across as a glowing PR puff piece. The goal of the book seems to have been to suck up to Ma rather than actually tell the story of the man and his company.
Several times, the authors refer to events and stories that may or may not be true, saying as such. Isn't it your job as a writer to do some research and prove/disprove them?
Also, the writing itself is horrific. It is appalling that someone like Martha Avery (who is a company president and an MBA, so you would assume she's at least reasonably intelligent) would write like this or would permit something this bad to be released.
Several times, the authors refer to events and stories that may or may not be true, saying as such. Isn't it your job as a writer to do some research and prove/disprove them?
Also, the writing itself is horrific. It is appalling that someone like Martha Avery (who is a company president and an MBA, so you would assume she's at least reasonably intelligent) would write like this or would permit something this bad to be released.
June 4, 2014
Horribly written, this book still gives a glimpse into what made AliBaba the massive success it is. As other reviews have noted, the book seems like a propaganda piece for Jack Ma. I think it is worse. It reads like a school girl writing about her favorite Bollywood hero.
The sad part is that Jack Ma has indeed done something remarkable. The least he deserves is a balanced review. Hope other books are written lest this caricature of a book remains the only record.
I give two stars for Jack Ma. The book itself deserves one.
The sad part is that Jack Ma has indeed done something remarkable. The least he deserves is a balanced review. Hope other books are written lest this caricature of a book remains the only record.
I give two stars for Jack Ma. The book itself deserves one.
January 17, 2010
This book was an interesting introduction to Jack Ma and the company he created. The first few chapters give inspiring insight into Jack's energy and how he grew from his humble beginnings to recognize the potential of the internet to transform how Chinese businesses can be run. Unfortunately, the second half reads like some Alibaba Inc. propaganda sheet on how the company rose to its current heights. Hence the 3 stars for what is actually a 4.5 star story.
July 21, 2009
This counts as journalism? Informative in some respects and thus perhaps a necessary read for investors, but otherwise utterly one-sided. Co-authors Liu Shiying and Martha Avery are apparently respectively a journalist and head of a media consulting company, and a Chinese business author with a Wharton MBA. Whatever. They should be ashamed of themselves.
January 26, 2015
Interesting read, although I would've liked to read more details on the rise of Alibaba. It seemed to skip too far ahead at some points.
October 13, 2021
In my opinion, it is a very good book.
You can finish it very fast as it is simple, but also interesting.
The authors use rather simple English.
I was a bit hesitant at the beginning, but as I progressed it got better and better.
It is a good starter book on Alibaba, if you do not know much about the company and its founder.
You can finish it very fast as it is simple, but also interesting.
The authors use rather simple English.
I was a bit hesitant at the beginning, but as I progressed it got better and better.
It is a good starter book on Alibaba, if you do not know much about the company and its founder.
March 15, 2017
The book may be a door to an e-commerce market. Good enough to get to know what kind of a person is Ma Yun, brings a little into the world of one of the best chinese entrepreneurs.
September 24, 2010
Told a good story about Jack Ma, Alibaba.com and business is done in Asia or more specifically China (its not the usual American narrative stuff - which can be a turn off sometimes).
Inspiring and had quite a bit of quoteworthy lines.
Definitely worth a reread in the future.
Inspiring and had quite a bit of quoteworthy lines.
Definitely worth a reread in the future.
October 6, 2012
The first half was decent, then the dates of the events are blurred and wrong, and the last half was butchered and half-assed. Felt like some copy and paste was involved between chapters. Also felt like some parts of the book was written by translating the interviews from youtube videos.
August 9, 2009
Corporate hagiography. Not that Jack Ma hasn't earned one, but still.
Read
December 3, 2012I think the author got the dates wrong. 10 ppl started working on Taobao in April 2003, and in May 2003 they released it to the public? In just a few months?
September 25, 2013
Great Biography on one of the great entrepreneur's of china
May 1, 2015
A page turner on how Jack Ma built Ali Baba from scratch, from the crocodile in Yangtze eating off eBay and on how it slowly paves it way to global.
Insightful and easy to read.
Thumbs up!
Insightful and easy to read.
Thumbs up!
November 19, 2016
Interesting facts, but poorly written. Reads like a textbook, not enough detail. And its obvious that, to the author, Jack Ma and Alibaba can do no wrong.
August 13, 2016
good chronological detailing of Jack Ma and Alibaba and his thoughts about business
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews