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  • Bad Blood

  • Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
  • By: John Carreyrou
  • Narrated by: Will Damron
  • Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (2,509 ratings)

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Bad Blood

By: John Carreyrou
Narrated by: Will Damron
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Publisher's Summary

Winner of the Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award.

The shocking true story of the breathtaking rise and collapse of Theranos, the multibillion-dollar biotech startup founded by Elizabeth Holmes, written by the prize-winning journalist who first broke the story and pursued it to the end.

Seen as the female Steve Jobs, Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes was a brilliant Stanford dropout whose startup ‘unicorn’ promised to revolutionize the medical industry with a machine that would make blood testing significantly faster and easier. Backed by wealthy investors, Theranos sold shares that valued the company at more than $9 billion.

There was just one problem: the technology didn’t work . . .

Despite threats of legal action, brave whistleblowers started to talk. They revealed a culture of intimidation and secrecy, technology that repeatedly failed, results sent to real patients that were incorrect but upon which life-changing medical decisions were being made, with devastating consequences.

The riveting story behind The Dropout, in Bad Blood, John Carreyrou investigates the biggest corporate fraud since Enron, a tale of ambition and scandal set amid the bold promises of Silicon Valley.

©2018 John Carreyrou (P)2018 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic Reviews

"Wall Street Journal investigative journalist Carreyrou presents meticulously researched, clearly written evidence of the fraud perpetrated by business wunderkind Elizabeth Holmes. The former CEO of the once-renowned Silicon Valley startup, Theranos, bilked investors of millions and potentially risked the lives of patients around the world with a groundbreaking diagnostic product that did not work reliably. Will Damron is the perfect choice as narrator. His precisely articulated style makes the entire effort sound as if it is a cloak-and-dagger spy novel." (AudioFile)

"Chilling...Reads like a West Coast version of All the President’s Men." (New York Times Book Review)  

"I couldn’t put down this thriller...the perfect book to read by the fire this winter." (Bill Gates)

What listeners say about Bad Blood

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing journalism

The best audio book I’ve been fortunate to listen too. The sheer evil audaciousness of Holmes and Theranous are really something to behold. The persistence of Carreyrou is to be admired also.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

You will never want to stop listening to this masterpiece.

This was one of the most amazing and addictive books I have ever read or listened to and to top it off, it was true. Everyone should listen to this book to realize what can go on in the corporate world and what lies can be told. Also what support can be given to a liar by some of the world’s biggest names.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • P H
  • 15-08-2018

This is why journalism matters

Such an incredible account. I’d love to hear the other side of this story but not sure that will be forthcoming.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Unputdownable

You'll be listening in every spare minute. Quite the story, and the fact that the story is by the journalist who broke the story is extra spice.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Jen
  • 07-10-2018

I wanted to stay home from work just to listen!

This is one of the best books I've bought from Audible. I couldn't stop listening and I know I'll listen to it again.

The story is compelling. We all know what happened to Theranos, but knowing how it will end doesn't harm the story - the writer still keeps you wanting to hear more.

The reader was fine, good - just not great. I gave the reader 4 stars. There was nothing really wrong with the reading, I just didn't love the performance or find it an awesome reading.

I would (and have) recommended this book to everyone!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An in-depth investigation presented masterfully

Carreyrou lays out the immense and complicated story of Theranos with great clarity and insight. The book is very well performed; at times it has the suspenseful tone of a spy thriller and is just as exciting. This story went far deeper than I could have imagined with an extraordinary cast of characters that I know I will be returning to.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Captivating - unbelievable that this is a true story

This book is apparently being made into a movie which would be a hit.

I had not heard of the company prior to listening and was enthralled. A thoroughly well researched book with plenty of detail.

You know it's a good book when you take the long way to work and drive below the speed limit while listening!

Elizabeth Holmes must be admired for her ability to sell her vision to people at all levels of the social and political hierarchy. However the negative traits and acts of continued deception detailed in this book are astonishing. This book will not win her many friends and make her future challenging and if all true will be deserved.

Thoroughly recommended as a captivating listen that will have you driving below the speed limit.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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How to take sociopathy to the next level

That should be the title of this book. It’s interesting to see how Holmes got so far by doing everything wrong,lying and cheating. Only in a culture that puts money above everything else that can go on for as long as it did.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Must read

Brilliant. The world needs more brave and thorough journos like Carreyrou. An enthralling read. Thank you. Oh, and to Elizabeth Holmes, rot in jail.

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  • Ian
  • 11-02-2019

Fascinating, and Horrifying

Great book, well written, excellent narration. This is a story of corporate skulduggery and thuggery at its most bare knuckle level. Amidst this are tales of bravery and honor by whistle blowers and the author in exposing a decade of shameful conduct. Fabulous story.

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