Idea Man

2011 memoir by Paul Allen

This article is about the 2011 memoir by Paul Allen. For the 2024 documentary film about Jim Henson, see Jim Henson Idea Man.

Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft

Author| Paul Allen
Language| English
Genre| Memoir
Publisher| Penguin Group (U.S.)

Publication date

| April 19, 2011
Publication place| United States
Media type| E-book, Print (Hardback and Paperback), and Audiobook
Pages| 384 pp.
ISBN| 978-1-59184-382-5
OCLC| 635459397

Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft is a memoir by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, published in 2011 by Portfolio, a Penguin Group imprint. A New York Times Best Seller, the book recounts how Allen became enamored with computers at an early age, conceived the idea for Microsoft, recruited his friend Bill Gates to join him, and launched what would become the world's most successful software company.

The book, reveals the often conflicted partnership between Allen and Gates, and how—when Allen was recovering from cancer—Gates unsuccessfully conspired to dilute Allen's 36 percent share of Microsoft. Idea Man also explores Allen's business and creative ventures following his 1983 departure from Microsoft, including his involvement in SpaceShipOne, his purchase of the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, his passion for music, and his ongoing support for scientific research.

## Reviews

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The Guardian: “There's an important lesson here that has subsequently been airbrushed out of the Microsoft legend: Allen's contributions to the partnership were as critical as Gates's. Without the tools that he developed, and his insight into the infrastructure that software development requires, Microsoft's subsequent growth would have been impossible.”[1]

Kirkus Reviews: ..."surprisingly profound and refreshingly frank."[2]

USA Today: “…complete and candid…”[3]

The New York Times: “The book reads well.”[4]

## References

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1. ^ Naughton, John (8 May 2011). "Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft by Paul Allen – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
2. ^ "Idea Man Kirkus Review". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
3. ^ Weinberg, Steve. "Microsoft co-founder's memoir candid, complete". USA Today. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
4. ^ Rivlin, Gary (6 May 2011). "Paul Allen: Microsoft and Me". The New York Times.

## External links

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* Penguin Group's article on Idea Man
* Discussion with Allen on Idea Man at the Computer History Museum
* Lesley Stahl speaks to Allen about Idea Man on 60 Minutes
* Paul Allen's adaption from Idea Man featuring in Vanity Fair

*[OCLC]: Online Computer Library Center number