Inside Intel: Andrew Grove and the Rise of the World's Most Powerful Chip Company

As a former Intel employee, I feel that Tim Jackson got an in-depth understanding of the dual face that Intel has. On one hand, it is one of the most exciting companies in the world today - full of clever people with bright ideas, who create one of the most exciting products in today's world. Intel gives its employees the opportunity to be an active part of the technologic revolution. It also made many employees rich by giving them stock options (although it was much less generous than other companies in the high-tech business, like Microsoft). On the other hand, if the big companies of today are like independent countries, then Intel resembles the former Soviet Union. The walls at Intel's sites are all covered with propaganda posters about how Intel is "A great place to work", and how "Intel culture" makes sure that it will always be so (pretty much like "the communist heaven"...). Employees get regular lessons in "Intel Culture" and its principles - like "Constructive Confrontation" "One on One" "Intel Management by Objective" - teaching them how these great principles make sure that their voice is heard, that they will have an open door in the upper management, and they will be able to express their ideas freely. In practice, however, employees soon find out that the system's main purpose is to provide management a tight control over the ordinary engineers, and make sure that everybody "stays in line", and avoid criticism. The hierarchical system of "key results" and periodical reviews makes sure that any manager would be able to get rid of "trouble makers" reporting to him as soon as possible. As a result, internal politics and the pressure on the workers constantly grow. (In my opinion, this is the reason why Intel couldn't convert its great success in building processors to any other field - like software development or networking products - despite huge investments in these fields). It is amazing that Mr. Jackson had never been an Inter employee himself - as his book gives a fair and accurate description of what it is like inside Intel - with the good and the bad parts.

Considering that Jackson had little or no official access to Grove or Intel, this is an incredible piece of work, filled with interesting and amusing stories from Intel's early years. For my tastes, there's a little too much on Intel's battles with AMD and not enough on its unique relationship with Microsoft. And at times, it reads like a history of Intel's legal department. But overall, it provides great reading and a fascinating view of a corporation built in Grove's own image.

Highly interesting, well-written, and non-technical. Anyone with an interest in the computer industry would enjoy this book.

This book is excellently written!! With personal knowledge of the Grove style to personnel management, Mr. Jackson couldn't be more accurate. There were MANY things written in this book regarding the early history that were hazy to me but now I understand much more clearly. It's a great and innovative company in which many people devote themselves and their families too. Unfortunately, it definitely does take it's toll on family lives. One mistake or disagreement in the eyes of someone with power and your long lasting successful career at Intel is doomed for a short life. If you've lost your family along the way as well........then when the shoutings over - you are on you own, literally. Mr. Jackson did a wonderful job of writting such an accurate book with only a few interviews and court documents. This is journalism at its best. A recommended read for anyone who works in the integrated circuit industy (especially at Intel). I think most [people] will be surprised to see how this large Corporation conducts in external and internal business. Intimidation is the key word and burnt out employees are becoming more and more common.

Inside Intel gives us a rare look into the world of corporate America as we know it today - and a look at a company with a technology that in many ways it literally stumbled upon (some would say stole) but to that end, you sure will have a conclusion of your own after this read.