Breaking Windows

"Dave Winer Founder and CEO, UserLand Software, Inc. Microsoft has long appeared to be a well-oiled machine, moving in lock-step toward goals set by Bill Gates. In ""Breaking Windows, "" however, a different picture emerges. The agony inside and around Microsoft is the theme of Bank's fantastic book. David Readerman Partner and Director of Software and Internet Strategy, Thomas Weisel Partners David Bank has broken new ground in uncovering the fault lines within the seemingly monolithic and golden Windows franchise. This is a fast-paced, enlightening read that exposes the inner workings of Microsoft. I recommend it for investors as a must-read. James Fallows author of ""Free Flight"" and ""Breaking the News"" I thought I had seen every possible account of the Microsoft drama, but David Bank's reporting adds a new and fascinating perspective. Connecting the internal struggles over Microsoft's direction to the company's external legal and market battles, he convincingly explains why Microsoft has run into difficulties -- but may well return stronger than ever. Kara Swisher author of ""aol.com"" Combining bold writing, clear-headed analysis, and the keen insight that comes only from many years of reporting, ""Breaking Windows"" finally makes sense of the company that many have written about but few have understood. If you can read only one book about Microsoft, this is the one to pick. Lawrence Lessig Professor of Law, Stanford Law School and author of ""The Future of Ideas: The Fate of the Commons in a Connected World"" This is not just another Microsoft book. It is an extraordinary account of the struggle for the soul of perhaps the greatest company in American history. If Bank is right -- and his argument is meticulous and powerful -- then it also shows why the government can safely take its antitrust case and go home. Michael A. Cusumano Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management, and coauthor of ""Microsoft Secrets"" and ""Competing on Internet Time"" A truly riveting account, based on volumes of confidential e-mails and personal interviews, of one of the great internal corporate struggles in business history: the debate within Microsoft over how to deal with the Windows legacy in the face of the challenge presented by Internet technology. A must-read for anyone interested in how high-tech companies make strategy and deal with disruptive change. Paul Andrews author of ""How the Web Was Won"" and coauthor of ""Gates"" Laced with formidable reporting and probing analysis, ""Breaking Windows"" dares to defy Gates, Ballmer & Co. with the proposition that a post-Windows Microsoft might be better for everyone -- including Microsoft. Walter S. Mossberg Personal Technology columnist, ""The Wall Street Journal"" This is the best book I've read on Microsoft as it exists today. It goes far beyond the well-worn accounts of the company's battles with the government to provide a fascinating tale of Microsoft's battles with itself -- and with the future. James Fallowsauthor of ""Free Flight"" and ""Breaking the News"" Kara Swisherauthor of ""aol.com"" Combining bold writing, clear-headed analysis, and the keen insight that comes only from many years of reporting, ""Breaking Windows"" finally makes sense of the company that many have written about but few have understood. If you can read only one book about Microsoft, this is the one to pick. Lawrence LessigProfessor of Law, Stanford Law School and author of ""The Future of Ideas: The Fate of the Commons in a Connected World"" This is not just another Microsoft book. It is an extraordinary account of the struggle for the soul of perhaps the greatest company in American history. If Bank is right -- and his argument is meticulous and powerful -- then it also shows why the government can safely take its antitrust case and go home. Paul Andrewsauthor of ""How the Web Was Won"" and coauthor of ""Gates"" Laced with formidable reporting and probing analysis, ""Breaking Windows"" dares to defy Gates, Ballmer & Co. with the proposition that a post-Windows Microsoft might be better for everyone -- including Microsoft. Walter S. MossbergPersonal Technology columnist, ""The Wall Street Journal"" This is the best book I've read on Microsoft as it exists today. It goes far beyond the well-worn accounts of the company's battles with the government to provide a fascinating tale of Microsoft's battles with itself -- and with the future."