The Reading Room

Amazon Unbound : Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire

Brad Stone

Published: 2022, Simon & Schuster UK Ltd

Brad Stone’s book “Amazon Unbound” is a well-researched exploration of Amazon and its founder, Jeff Bezos, from 2013 onward.  The author, known for “The Everything Store” describes how Amazon grew from a small retail company to a powerful global force. Stone had access to current and former company insiders, allowing him to show how Amazon’s changes led to both innovations and ethical missteps.  In this book review, I will show you why this is a perfect book to read.

Insightful and Comprehensive
Stone’s narrative is comprehensive and insightful, capturing Amazon’s relentless innovation and Bezos’ drive. The book details Amazon’s ventures into cloud computing, AI, and entertainment, showcasing strategic and visionary moves. Access to insiders and an engaging writing style make this book compelling for those interested in technology, business, and society. For example, in Part 1, Jeff Bezos and his team race to finish Alexa before Apple completes Siri. Or the fact that Bezos missed the opportunity to launch in India in 2004 when it focused on China. Sachin and Binny Bansal quit Amazon India, where they were working on Amazon’s search engine, and in 2007 started their own company Flipkart, while Amazon launched in 2012 losing the first mover advantage.

Bezos Unveiled
One of the standout elements of Amazon Unbound is its focus on Jeff Bezos. Stone provides an open look at Bezos’ personality, leadership style, and personal evolution. From his hands-on management approach to his foray into space with Blue Origin, Stone chronicles Bezos’ transformation from a driven entrepreneur to one of the most influential figures on the planet. The book doesn’t shy away from controversies, including labour disputes and antitrust investigations, offering a balanced perspective on Bezos’ legacy. Bezos initially dismissed the idea of investing in air conditioning for his warehouses as too costly. However, after media criticism of workers collapsing in a warehouse, he approved $52 million for air conditioning, establishing a pattern of making changes only after reading media criticism, as Stone describes.

Strategic Mastery and Ethical Quandaries
Stone analyses Amazon’s strategic decisions, like the acquisition of Whole Foods and the development of Alexa, showing its ability to disrupt multiple industries. It also addresses ethical dilemmas and criticisms faced by the company, particularly concerning labour practices and market monopolization tactics, providing a balanced view for understanding Amazon’s innovation and its impact on society. For instance, part III, “Invincibility” demonstrates the immense size of Bezos’ company and how no one could compete with it. It portrays Bezos as a true mastermind in timing and ethics

Engaging and Accessible
Stone’s writing remains accessible and engaging despite the complexity of the subject matter. He effectively uses anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories to humanize the narrative, making the book not just informative but also entertaining. Whether discussing the logistical marvel of Amazon’s fulfilment centres or shifting Prime from 2 days to 1 shipping by building an in-house last mile delivery network Stone keeps the reader hooked. The parts with pictures show Bezos rising in the hierarchy of the world, meeting with important and famous people, and holding presentations about his company.

Final Verdict
“Amazon Unbound” is a book that is essential for understanding modern business. It’s written by Brad Stone, a top business journalist, and gives a detailed and balanced account of one of the most influential companies today. The book isn’t just about Amazon’s rise but also talks about the power dynamics shaping our world. It shows how innovation, ambition, and the complexities of wielding unprecedented corporate power play out. In sum, “Amazon Unbound” is the definitive account of a man and company without which we couldn’t imagine modern life.

 

Shahil Shah

August 2024

The information contained above and in other entries in the Ocean Dial Book Review Series is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied upon in making, or refraining from making, any investment decisions. No information provided herein should or can be taken to constitute any form of advice or recommendation as to the merits of any investment decision. You should take independent advice from a suitably qualified investment adviser before making any investment decisions.

The Culture Map

Erin Meyer

Published: 2016, PublicAffairs

Erin Meyer’s “The Culture Map” explores how cultural differences shape business interactions, emphasizing the critical role of effective communication. The book is structured around eight cultural scales: communication, evaluation, persuasion, leadership, decision making, trust, disagreement, and scheduling. Each scale provides a framework for navigating the complexities of cross-cultural communication.

Read more

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE

Phil Knight

Published: 2016, Simon & Schuster

Knight, the man behind the swoosh, tells his story. Candid, humble, wry and gutsy, he begins with his crossroads moment when at 24 he decided to start his own business. He details the many risks and daunting setbacks along with his early triumphs. Together with his partners and employees, they built a brand that changed everything.

Read more

Value Investing and Behavioral Finance: Insights into stock market realities

Parag Parikh

Published: 2017, McGraw Hill Education

Value Investing and Behavioural Finance comes as an antidote to investor anxiety and a guide to sane and safe investment decisions. Using investing trends in Indian capital markets over the last three decades, it shows how collective behavioural biases affect investment decisions, returns and market vagaries.

Read more

Disclaimer

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THE CONTENTS OF THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING THIS WEBSITE. THIS NOTICE GOVERNS YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE WEBSITE. BY ACCESSING THE WEBSITE YOU AGREE TO ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS NOTICE AND THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF USE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE, YOU MUST STOP USING THIS WEBSITE IMMEDIATELY.

This website is provided by Ocean Dial Asset Management Limited, whose Registered Office is at 30 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5Al and Registered Number 05583807. Ocean Dial Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“the FCA”), with registered number 447424.

NOT FOR U.S. PERSONS
The information contained herein does not constitute a distribution, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction in which such distribution or offer is not authorised. In particular, the information herein is not for distribution and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any securities in the United States of America or to or for the benefit of any U.S. Person as such term is defined under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

No investments or services mentioned on this website are directed at U.S. Persons who are not Professional Clients or Eligible Counterparties as defined by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Handbook or Qualified Purchasers as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The information contained herein does not constitute a distribution, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction in which such distribution or offer is not authorised.

THIS WEBSITE IS ONLY MADE AVAILABLE TO PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS AND ELIGIBLE INVESTORS AND COUNTERPARTIES.

ODAM does not manage money for retail clients. Eligible investors only may access ODAM’s expertise through the funds or investment companies for which it acts as investment manager.

This website is not directed at you if Ocean Dial Asset Management Limited (“ODAM”) is prohibited by any law of any jurisdiction from making the information on this site available to you, and is not intended for any use which would be contrary to local law or regulation. This website and its contents are not intended to sell services or products over the Internet, rather for Internet viewer convenience and information purposes.

Information displayed in this website contains material that may be interpreted by the relevant authorities in the country from where you are viewing the website as investment advertising or an offer to purchase securities. Accordingly the information on this website is only intended to be viewed by the persons who fall outside the scope of any law that seeks to regulate investment advertising in the country of your residence or in the country in which the website is being viewed. Users of this website are therefore assumed to have the knowledge and experience in business and financial matters to enable them to evaluate the merits of, and risks of, investing in the investment funds referred to in this website. Persons of any other description should not enter this website nor rely on any of the information contained therein. If you are uncertain about your position under the laws of the country in which the website is being viewed then you should seek clarification by obtaining legal advice from a lawyer practising in the country of your residence or in the country in which the website is being viewed before completing this question.

Risk warnings

Investments may fall as well as rise and investors may lose a substantial portion or even all of their investment. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

Investments denominated in foreign currencies can result in the risk of loss from currency movements as well as movements in the value, price or income derived from the investments themselves.

Investment in emerging markets involves risks which may not be typically associated with investing in more developed markets. Investment in small- and mid-cap stocks may also involve a higher degree of risk as these markets tend to be more volatile than their larger capitalisation counterparts.

Disclaimer

To the extent permitted by relevant law and regulation, ODAM expressly disclaims any and all liability which may derive from this website or any other information provided by ODAM in connection with this website, and any errors therein or omissions therefrom. The description of the investment management services and processes provided by ODAM in this website is written in general terms. The services and investment funds referred to in this website should not be regarded as an offer nor solicitation for such services or investment funds in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The terms and conditions applicable to individual investors investing in investment funds managed by ODAM are set out in each relevant fund’s offering document. This website contains information designed only to provide background material for determining whether or not to consider investment. This website should be read in conjunction with the relevant offering document for each fund. All potential investors must carefully read the offering document which will contain significant additional information needed to evaluate investment in the fund and important disclosures regarding risks, fees and expenses. The offering document is the sole document upon which potential investors should rely. Recipients in any doubt about the content of this website should seek advice from an independent professional adviser.

This website is based upon information that is considered to be reliable but ODAM does not represent or warrant that it is accurate or complete, nor should it be relied upon as such. Views and opinions expressed within this website including comments on sectors or individual stocks or companies are those of ODAM and its Mumbai based affiliated company Ocean Dial Asset Management India Private Limited (a company incorporated in the Republic of India) as at the date of publication. Subsequent events may cause these views to change. The investment policies and procedures described are guidelines and not rules. Occasional deviation from the parameters given may result.

Use of links
The ODAM website may contain links to websites operated by other parties. ODAM does not control the content or accuracy of information on such websites and does not in any way confirm or endorse the material placed on such sites. The links are provided for your reference only.

Copyright
The copyright and all other rights in all of the material on this website are owned by the company listed on the web page or the material is included with the permission of the rights owner. You may review and copy material on this website for your own private or domestic use only. All other copying or use is prohibited.

Governing law
You agree that in the event of any dispute of any nature that may arise between you and ODAM, these terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the law of England and Wales and you agree to be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Privacy policy
Any personal information that you supply ODAM via the website and other means will be held in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation – please see our privacy notice for more details . If you would like to be removed from our database at any point, please email your request to enquiries@oceandial.com

Use of cookies
For the purposes of gathering data to measure traffic and patterns of usage on our website, we need to use your IP-address. In addition, for example, we use cookies to ascertain as to whether you have agreed to our disclaimer.
A cookie is a small file held on your PC. If you do not want to accept cookies, you will need to alter the setting on your internet browser. We will not use your IP-address or any cookie to identify you personally.