Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

by John Carreyrou
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup cover
Good Books rating 4.38
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  • ID: 2597
  • Added: 2025-10-15
  • Updated: 2025-10-15
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
National Center for Biotechnology Information · B Golder · 2020-01-01
engaging 4.50

The book is a gripping account of the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, with a focus on the company's promises and eventual downfall. The narrative is engaging and well-researched, providing a detailed look into the world of Silicon Valley startups.

This review highlights how the book reads like a gripping thriller, thanks to the detailed and well-crafted narrative. The author delves into the rise and fall of Theranos, exposing the fraud and deception that ultimately led to its collapse. The reviewer appreciates the depth of research and the engaging storytelling, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the darker side of Silicon Valley.

Quick quotes

    Bad Blood is a gripping account of the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, a company that promised to revolutionize laboratory testing.

    The narrative is engaging and well-researched, providing a detailed look into the world of Silicon Valley startups.

    The book exposes the fraud and deception that ultimately led to the collapse of Theranos.

Cannonball Read · 2019-12-21
expose 4.50

Carreyrou's thorough job of exposing the culture of fear and secrecy at Theranos is commendable, highlighting Elizabeth Holmes' manipulative tactics.

The reviewer from Cannonball Read praises John Carreyrou for his extremely thorough job in exposing the culture of fear and secrecy at Theranos. The book effectively shows how Elizabeth Holmes repeatedly manipulated situations to her advantage. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the investigation and the way Carreyrou unveils the inner workings of the company. The book is seen as a compelling expose of corporate deceit and the lengths to which some will go to maintain a facade of success.

Quick quotes

    Carreyrou does an extremely thorough job showing us the culture of fear and secrecy at Theranos.

    How time and time again Elizabeth is able to manipulate situations to her advantage.

    The book is seen as a compelling expose of corporate deceit and the lengths to which some will go to maintain a facade of success.

Kara.reviews · Kara Babcock · 2019-10-23
thrilling 5.00

The book is gripping and reads like a thriller, with Carreyrou's writing style making it engaging. The absurdity of the plot adds to its appeal.

Kara Babcock found Bad Blood to be a thrilling read that feels more like a fiction thriller than a non-fiction account. The writing is crystalline and engaging, making the story of Theranos' downfall even more captivating. The absurdity of the plot and the meticulous research add layers to the narrative, making it a compelling read. Babcock highlights how Carreyrou's storytelling skills bring the scandal to life, making it hard to put down. The book's ability to blend factual reporting with the pacing of a thriller is particularly praised.

Quick quotes

    Bad Blood reads like a fiction thriller at times, thanks in part to John Carreyrou's crystalline writing and in part to the absurdity of the plot.

    The book is gripping and reads like a thriller, with Carreyrou's writing style making it engaging.

    The absurdity of the plot adds to its appeal.

The New York Times · 2018-05-21
detailed 3.50

The book provides a detailed account of the Theranos scandal but struggles with the sheer number of characters, making it hard to keep track at times.

The reviewer from The New York Times acknowledges Carreyrou's thorough presentation of the Theranos scandal but notes that the book has a few minor flaws. The sheer number of characters introduced can be overwhelming, making it difficult to keep track of everyone. Despite this, the reviewer appreciates the depth of the research and the detailed account of the events. The book's strengths lie in its comprehensive coverage of the scandal, but the complexity of the narrative can be a challenge for readers.

Quick quotes

    Carreyrou's presentation has a few minor flaws. He introduces scores of characters and, after a while, it becomes hard to keep track of them.

    The book provides a detailed account of the Theranos scandal but struggles with the sheer number of characters.

    The sheer number of characters introduced can be overwhelming, making it difficult to keep track of everyone.

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