Betting It All

"I realized I was willing to die for Java."
-- KIM POLESE, MARIMBA
"I was the opposite of a party animal. I had this thing where if I was signed up for a [college] class, I wouldn't go to the class, ever."
-- BILL GATES, MICROSOFT
"I don't know what made me decide that my life should always be about making love standing up in a hammock, but this is the way that my life has worked out."
-- JERRY SANDERS, ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES
Beyond the media hype and mystique, the high-tech entrepreneurs of our time are just as human as the rest of us-even though they carefully guard their words and maintain their corporate images, making it almost impossible to get a real glimpse of the people behind the legends. Now, Betting It All takes you inside the minds of sixteen of the most famous industry titans-Scott McNealy, Bob Metcalfe, Carol Bartz, Philippe Kahn, and more-through a series of intimate and remarkably candid interviews. You'll be the fly on the wall as these business leaders explore memories from childhood, their dreams, their inspirations, and their unwavering ambition to achieve their goals-no matter the risks involved.

An intimate behind-the-scenes look into the personal triumphs and tragedies of sixteen famous and infamous industry titans
From the garages and kitchen tables across America, the technology entrepreneurs have built great companies, reaped unimaginable wealth, and endured challenges to the very core of their personal beliefs and confidence. Now, Betting It All looks directly into the hearts and minds of sixteen of these extraordinary business people. It strips away the legend and gives readers a true glimpse into the very human side of each entrepreneur-including what motivates them, inspires them, and pushes them to continue in the face of crisis. From Bill Gates, Scott McNealy, and Kim Polese to Steve Wozniak and Larry Ellison, this remarkable book reveals what personal and professional price success brings, along with their controversial views on business and society. Readers will hear how these famous and successful business people stay strong when the inevitable crisis comes.