Acquired Special: Amazon Unbound (with Brad Stone)
9 snips
May 27, 2021 Brad Stone, the author behind "Amazon Unbound" and "The Everything Store," provides a fascinating look at Amazon's transformation into a powerhouse of interlocking businesses. He shares insights into the pivotal moments that prompted a sequel to his book and the company's shift from a flywheel strategy to a more complex model. Stone discusses Amazon's surging ambitions in the entertainment sector and its strategic investments, including the MGM deal, while reflecting on the evolving culture that extends beyond Jeff Bezos himself.
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Episode notes
Epigraph Selection
- Brad Stone's epigraph quotes John Burnham's The Last Days of Night and John Steinbeck's Cannery Row.
- Bing Gordon, Amazon board member, suggested the Edison quote, while Steinbeck's quote explores the dichotomy of admired and successful traits.
Sequel Origins
- Brad Stone began the book in 2017, noting Amazon's shift from a flywheel to interconnected businesses.
- Alexa, market cap growth, and the burgeoning transportation business signaled the need for an Everything Store sequel.
Amazon's Transformation
- Amazon's transformation since The Everything Store includes Alexa's rise, AWS's prominence, and marketplace globalization.
- The company's market cap has grown by over a trillion and a half dollars since the first book's release.
