#1907
Mentioned in 31 episodes

The Contrarian

Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley's Pursuit of Power
Book • 2021
In 'The Contrarian,' Max Chafkin provides a meticulous biography of Peter Thiel, one of Silicon Valley's most influential and controversial figures.

The book explores Thiel's singular life and worldview, from his conservative roots at Stanford to his founding of PayPal and Palantir, and his early investments in Facebook and SpaceX.

Chafkin also delves into Thiel's political activities, including his support for Donald Trump and his role in the lawsuit that destroyed the blog Gawker.

The biography is both a portrait of Thiel and an examination of the broader tech industry, highlighting its explosive growth, power, and the controversies surrounding it.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 31 episodes

Mentioned by
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Bethany McLean
in relation to Peter Thiel's investment and endorsement of Curtis Yarvin.
156 snips
Is Silicon Valley Turning Fascist?
Mentioned by
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Robert Evans
as a sizable source for information about Peter Thiel.
73 snips
Part One: How Peter Thiel Became the Gravedigger of Democracy
Mentioned by
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Oz Woloshyn
when introducing
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Max Chafkin
, whose book examines Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley’s oligarchic rise.
62 snips
After The Builders: On Musk and Thiel
Mentioned by
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Matthew Sitman
as a researched biography used to learn details about Peter Thiel's upbringing and influences.
62 snips
Peter Thiel and the Antichrist
Vorgestellt von
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Janne Knödler
als Biografie, die tiefe Einblicke in Thiels Leben gibt.
59 snips
Wie ein deutscher Milliardär die Demokratie zerstört
Mentioned by
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Adam Conover
as the literal book written by
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Max Chafkin
on Peter Thiel.
43 snips
America’s Secret Technofacist Overlord, with Max Chafkin
Genannt als eine der Hauptquellen für die Recherche über Peter Thiel.
41 snips
#01 Bad Bromance: Elon Musk, Peter Thiel und ihr Weg an die Macht – Teil 1
Mentioned by
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David Brown
while introducing
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Max Chafkin
and noting his authorship of the book about Peter Thiel.
34 snips
Warby Parker vs Luxottica | A Modern Lens | 3
Mentioned by
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Nate Silver
as a biography of Peter Thiel.
32 snips
#389 — The Politics of Risk
Mentioned by
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Carol Massar
as the author of the book, discussing his insights on Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley.
30 snips
Bloomberg Businessweek Weekend - March 21st, 2025

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