Executive Reading: November

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“eBoys” 

By Randall E. Stross

Reviewed by Margaret Teichert and Oleg Kaganovich

In the world of reality TV, certain types of voyeurism don’t qualify as a guilty pleasure anymore. Lucky thing. “eboys,” (Published by Crown Publishing/Random House, May 2000, U.S.; 0-8129-3095-9), Randall Stross’ inside account of life within a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, is pure fun.
    “eBoys” is an adventure story with considerable insight into the world of venture capitalists. The tale of six “venture guys” who backed eBay, Webvan, and other billion-dollar startups in their portfolio of companies is incredibly detailed — in part because of the author’s intimate level of access to the key players.
    In the mid-1990s, Stross, a business history teacher at California State University, San Jose, wanted to pen a book about the inner workings of venture capital, then a little-understood aspect of the financial world. Benchmark Capital allowed him a surprising level of contact — virtually unlimited — with the firm’s employees and its boardroom conversations.
    His timing was the stuff of dreams for a business historian: Shortly into his stay, a little “online flea market” called eBay came looking for funding. As he put it, “The eBay story happened to unfold right in front of my eyes — and my tape recorder; I must confess I was as surprised as anyone.”
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