Book Review: Fools Rush In: Steve Case, Jerry Levin, and the Unmaking of AOL Time Warner
Photo by Tookapic
I’ve always been fascinated by mass
media platforms and the inner workings of media conglomerates. In honor of the
twentieth anniversary of the AOL Time Warner merger, I decided to do a book
review on this intriguing time period in media history. If you love media
conglomerates, technology, bold characters, history and drama in a real world
setting, Fools Rush In: Steve Case, Jerry Levin, and The Unmaking of AOL Time
Warner is a must read.
My first takeaway after finishing the
book was “Wow. What an incredible story!”
You may have heard about the AOL Time
Warner merger at the turn of the millennium, but the story begins several
decades prior with the founding of Time Inc. by Henry Luce, who set out on a
noble mission to provide informative and quality journalism from all corners of
the world to the general public. In the wake of a technological revolution, a
bullish market for Internet stocks and of course the quest for power and
control, Fools Rush In: Steve Case, Jerry Levin, and The Unmaking of AOL Time
Warner peels back all the layers of the origins of Time Inc, it’s merger
with Warner Communications in 1990, the rise of America Online, all of the
events leading up to the merger of Time Warner and AOL and the fallout of one
of the most controversial mergers in history.
The story is gripping from start to
finish, mainly because of its characters. Love him or hate him, Jerry Levin is
an icon of the media industry, from his contributions to HBO and the
acquisition of Turner Broadcasting, amongst others, all outlined in this book.
Steve Case, the bold visionary of AOL who could seemingly do no wrong by Wall
Street’s standards in the late 1990s, Bob Pittman, radio industry icon, Steve
Ross, one of the leading drivers of the merger between Time Inc. and Warner
Communications, Ted Turner, broadcasting mogul and other giants of the
multimedia industry all played critical roles in this story as well.
The book introduces each main character
with a miniature biography of their life and career and how their individual
paths led to the merger of the two companies. In addition to their unique
journeys, their individual strengths and career accolades are highlighted in
detail, which sets up the story arch to perfection. By the middle of the story,
you are intrigued to see how these big personalities interact with one another.
Fools Rush In: Steve Case, Jerry Levin, and The Unmaking of AOL Time Warner gives you a behind
the scenes look at one of the biggest power struggles in media history during a
time period where consumer behavior and communication were evolving through the
usage of new technologies. Experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows
in this unbelievable story.
Have you read Fools Rush In: Steve Case, Jerry Levin, and The Unmaking of AOL Time Warner? We want to hear your thoughts.
Let us know what you think about the
book and the merger of AOL Time Warner @MarketWren on social media.
Purchase the book on Amazon at:
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