Reset

by Ellen Pao
Reset cover
Good Books rating 3.81
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  • ID: 2689
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
bookmarks.reviews · Unknown · 2025-10-21
intriguing 3.75

Ellen Pao's 'Reset' is a political memoir addressing diversity in tech, blending personal stories with a critique of systemic issues. Reviewers praise her compelling narrative and incisive anger, though some find the book repetitive and cautious in its later sections. The memoir is seen as a necessary companion to Sheryl Sandberg's 'Lean In', offering a different perspective on gender and race in Silicon Valley.

Ellen Pao's 'Reset' is a deeply personal and political memoir that delves into her fight for inclusion and lasting change in the tech industry. The book is praised for its compelling narrative and the raw vulnerability Pao brings to her stories, particularly those involving her experiences with endometriosis and the challenges of conceiving. Reviewers appreciate her incisive anger and the way she addresses the intersection of race and gender, which is a significant departure from Sheryl Sandberg's 'Lean In'. However, some critics find the book repetitive and disjointed, struggling to balance memoir, self-help, and activism. The later sections, which focus on Pao's work with Project Include, are seen as reverting to a more cautious tone, lacking the sharp critique of the middle chapters. Overall, 'Reset' is viewed as an important contribution to the conversation about diversity in tech, offering a necessary counterpoint to more optimistic narratives.

Quick quotes

    Pao’s book, published two years after a difficult eight-month stint as chief executive of Reddit, gives her a platform to speak on diversity in tech, the focus of her advisory group Project Include.

    Of course she is angry! ... If Sheryl Sandberg’s _Lean In_ has been the handbook for the rising female executive over the last decade, Ellen Pao’s book is its logical companion and should be read alongside it as a staple in every business course.

    It’s only when the memoir arrives at her tenure as a chief of staff at Kleiner Perkins that she fully sheds the voice of the innocent babe in the woods and allows some welcome cynicism and anger to come through.

nytimes.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
insightful 3.50

Ellen Pao's memoir, 'Reset,' offers a candid look at her experiences with gender discrimination and retaliation in Silicon Valley. The book is praised for its honesty and the important issues it raises, though some critics find the writing style uneven.

Ellen Pao's 'Reset' is a memoir that delves into her personal and professional struggles, particularly her experiences with gender discrimination and retaliation in Silicon Valley. The book is celebrated for its bravery in addressing these critical issues, and many readers appreciate the insights it provides into the tech industry's culture. However, some critics note that the writing can be uneven at times, which slightly detracts from the overall impact. The memoir is seen as a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation about diversity and inclusion in the tech world. While the narrative may not be as polished as some might hope, the importance of the topics covered makes 'Reset' a valuable read.

Quick quotes

    Ellen Pao's memoir, 'Reset,' is a candid and unflinching account of her experiences with gender discrimination and retaliation in Silicon Valley.

    The book is praised for its honesty and the important issues it raises, though some critics find the writing style uneven.

    Reset' is seen as a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation about diversity and inclusion in the tech world.

seattlereviewofbooks.com · Unknown · 2018-09-19
inspiring 4.50

Reset by Ellen Pao is a candid account of her gender discrimination lawsuit against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, offering a raw and personal perspective on workplace bias and the struggles of women in Silicon Valley. The book is praised for its humor, vulnerability, and the way it humanizes Pao, challenging the negative narratives that have surrounded her. It also highlights the importance of empathy and respect in the tech industry, as Pao shares stories of other women's experiences.

Reset by Ellen Pao is a deeply personal and candid account of her experiences with gender discrimination and workplace bias. The book chronicles her lawsuit against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, providing a raw and unfiltered look at the challenges she faced. Pao's writing is praised for its humor and vulnerability, which humanizes her and challenges the negative narratives that have often been associated with her. The book also highlights the importance of empathy and respect in the tech industry, as Pao shares stories of other women's experiences, creating a dialogue that was often missing in discussions about women in the workplace. Her gentle and curious descriptions of other women serve as a source of strength and inspiration, making Reset a powerful and important read.

Quick quotes

    They added makeup on me, and I considered asking what shade the lipstick was; it looked kind of good.

    I felt in that moment, that Kleiner had taken everything from me.

    I once heard that fifteen minutes of meditation is equivalent to an hour of sleep. If it’s not, I don’t want to know.

therumpus.net · Unknown · 2017-11-01
insightful 3.50

Ellen Pao's memoir 'Reset' chronicles her fight against gender discrimination at Kleiner Perkins, highlighting the challenges women face in male-dominated fields. The book is a mix of personal narrative, self-help, and activism, though it sometimes feels disjointed due to repetition and the difficulty of balancing multiple genres.

Ellen Pao's 'Reset' is a compelling account of her legal battle against Kleiner Perkins for gender discrimination, offering a candid look at the systemic barriers women encounter in the tech industry. The memoir is interspersed with reflections on Pao's upbringing and career, illustrating the fine line women must navigate between ambition and likability. While the book is insightful and timely, it occasionally struggles to balance its multiple roles as a personal narrative, self-help guide, and activist manifesto. The repetition of key themes can make the narrative feel disjointed, but the overall message is powerful and resonant.

Quick quotes

    They felt she did everything right only to be thwarted by unwritten rules that feel arbitrary and wrong.

    Pao writes. “I’d been instructed by my lawyers not to respond to comments like that, because it might open me up to more criticism — jurors could find me difficult or aggressive,

    Is it possible that I am really too ambitious while being too quiet while being too aggressive while being unlikable? Are my elbows too sharp?

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