Brotopia

by Emily Chang
Brotopia cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Investigative Journalism
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Paperback • £16.99
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Technical
  • ID: 2725
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780735213548
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2018-02-06
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Silicon Valley is often seen as a utopia where anyone can change the world, but for women, it's a 'Brotopia' filled with discrimination and harassment. In this powerful exposé, Emily Chang reveals the toxic workplaces and the brave women who are fighting back./n/nDrawing on insider interviews and high-profile cases, Chang shows how Silicon Valley's culture has shut women out of immense wealth creation. She offers solutions to break up the boys' club and create a more inclusive industry.

Reviews
Cathartic Life · 2022-05-31
enthusiastic 4.50

The book is praised for its detailed narrative and for giving voice to women in the tech industry. It is considered a wonderfully written exposé on the culture of Silicon Valley.

The reviewer from Cathartic Life highly praises Brotopia for its detailed narrative and its ability to put the story back in the hands of women. They find the book wonderfully written and appreciate how it delves into the history and current state of the tech industry. The reviewer believes that the book is a powerful tool for understanding the systemic issues faced by women in Silicon Valley. They highlight the book's ability to give voice to women and to challenge the dominant narrative in the tech world.

Quick quotes

    It is a wonderfully written book that goes into great detail and puts the narrative back in the hands of fellow women.

    All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding the systemic issues faced by women in the tech industry.

    The book is a powerful tool for understanding the systemic issues faced by women in Silicon Valley.

nytimes.com · Unknown · 2018-03-19
important 4.00

Brotopia by Emily Chang is an important read that highlights the disparities in gender representation and pay inequities in the tech industry. The book emphasizes the need for more women in leadership positions and a shift from a meritocracy myth to a more inclusive culture.

Brotopia by Emily Chang is an eye-opening book that delves into the gender disparities and pay inequities prevalent in the tech industry. The reviewer, with nearly 30 years of experience in tech, shares personal anecdotes and observations that align with Chang's findings. They appreciate the book's focus on the 'brogrammer' culture in social media companies but suggest that a more holistic view, including traditional IT companies, would have been beneficial. The reviewer agrees with Chang's call for more women in leadership positions, resolving pay inequities, and fostering a more inclusive and diverse culture. They also emphasize the responsibility of women in tech leadership to recruit and promote more women.

Quick quotes

    An interesting, important read.

    However, while the larger telecom and IT companies do not have openly misogynistic, lewd cultures, they do harbor serious rank and pay inequities among men and women.

    I wholeheartedly agree with Emily Chang that the industry could accomplish so much more by promoting more women to management/leadership positions, resolving pay inequities for women and minorities, seeking out diverse recruits from different industries, and changing their culture from the myth of a meritocracy, which only encourages white males to hire more white males, to an inclusive, creative, and diverse one.

Jobbio Blog · 2018-02-20
insightful 4.00

The book is described as gripping and insightful, with the reviewer suggesting it should be compulsory reading for male tech employers. It is seen as a thorough critique of the tech industry's gender issues.

The reviewer from Jobbio Blog finds Brotopia to be a thoroughly gripping and insightful read. They believe it should be compulsory reading for every male tech employer due to its thorough critique of the tech industry's gender issues. The reviewer appreciates the depth of research and the compelling narrative that Chang presents. They highlight the book's ability to expose the systemic issues within the tech industry and its impact on women. The reviewer also notes that the book is not just a critique but offers solutions and ways forward, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in tech and gender equality.

Quick quotes

    Despite this critique, 'Brotopia' is a thoroughly gripping and insightful read.

    A text that should be compulsory for every male tech employer.

    It offers solutions and ways forward, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in tech and gender equality.

The New York Times · 2018-02-07
critical 3.50

The book provides a detailed critique of Silicon Valley's sexist culture, though some of the writing is criticized for being bland. It highlights the systemic issues within the tech industry.

The reviewer from The New York Times acknowledges the book's strong critique of Silicon Valley's sexist culture, noting that it effectively exposes the systemic issues within the tech industry. However, they also point out that some of the writing could be more engaging and that the author has a tendency towards making worthy proclamations. Despite these criticisms, the book is seen as a significant contribution to the conversation about gender discrimination in tech. The reviewer appreciates the depth of research and the important points raised, even if the delivery could be improved.

Quick quotes

    Some of the writing is blander than it needs to be, and she has a soft spot for worthy proclamations.

    The book effectively exposes the systemic issues within the tech industry.

    It's a significant contribution to the conversation about gender discrimination in tech.

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