Quick . . . who is the owner and founder of Microsoft. My best guess is that 80% or more of the adults asked this question know the answer as Bill Gates. Quick . . . who is the co-founder of Microsoft and the driving imaginative force of the company from the beginning? The Idea Man
If I were to guess, I would say only 20% of the people out there know Paul Allen is the co-founder of Microsoft and very instrumental in laying the groundwork for getting Microsoft to where it is now. I personally have always envied Paul Allen, not because he co-founded Microsoft, but because he accomplished some amazing things, made a lot of money doing so, and then he became owner of not one, not two but three professional sports franchises.
Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft
He tells about his childhood where he was encouraged to experiment and act as an “engineer” even at a young age, to his post college years, being confused and not knowing exactly what to do with the rest of his life, to the time when his future career merged with his personal love, technology.
I am a bit of a techie or gear-head myself, and found the story of Paul Allen’s career very impressive and interesting. I enjoyed reading about the process and timing of Paul Allen’s and Bill Gate’s rise and creation of the brand Microsoft, but found it even more interesting reading about his opinions on running companies, like his sports franchises as well as his other entrepreneurial efforts.
Things changed for Allen in the early 1980’s, he became ill with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and reduced his involvement with Microsoft. He recovered, and started to use his fortune as well as his ideas for a life of adventure and discovery. His drive and spirit moved him into the role of a philanthropist, his groups are responsible for the first privately funded spacecraft and the Allen Brain Atlas is responsible for many breakthroughs in neuroscience.
This was a great read (and I admit, I don’t read as much as I should!) Idea Man makes everyone want to explore their own personal boundaries as well as question what’s next and why!
The product was provided for review. No compensation was received. The honest opinions are my own.
thanks for sharing
I have never heard of Paul Allen. Then again I don’t know much about Microsoft. Interesting that he had Hodgkins. I had it too. I don’t think I would read his book.
Although Mr. Allen is becoming more well known, he remains “the man behind the curtain” in the Emerald City that is Microsoft.
It is clear how well defined his vision is and how he and Gates brought it forth…
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