Mike Isaac

Mike Isaac is a technology journalist and author best known for his work as a technology correspondent for The New York Times, where he covers Silicon Valley and the tech industry. His 2019 book "Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber" became a New York Times bestseller and was later adapted into a Showtime television series starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The book chronicles the rise and fall of Uber's founder Travis Kalanick and provides an inside look at the company's controversial history. Isaac's reporting has focused extensively on major tech companies including Facebook, Twitter, and Uber, with particular attention to corporate culture, leadership, and the broader social impact of technology platforms. His work has earned him recognition in the technology journalism field, including being named a finalist for the Gerald Loeb Award for business journalism. Prior to joining The New York Times in 2014, Isaac worked as a senior editor at Recode and as a reporter at AllThingsD and WIRED. He continues to cover breaking news and write in-depth investigations about the technology industry's most influential companies and figures.

Readers praise Isaac's investigative depth and ability to turn complex corporate stories into engaging narratives. His book "Super Pumped" receives particular attention for its detailed reporting and pacing. One Amazon reviewer noted: "Reads like a thriller but packed with well-researched facts." Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of technical concepts - Behind-the-scenes access and insider details - Fast-moving narrative style - Balance between business analysis and human drama Common criticisms: - Some readers find portions too detail-heavy - A few note repetitive sections - Some wanted more technical/financial specifics - Questions about source attribution methods Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: 4.3/5 (24,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) - Audible: 4.6/5 (3,000+ ratings) Notable reader quote: "Isaac manages to be thorough without being boring - no small feat when covering corporate history." (Goodreads review)

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber (2019) An investigation into the rise of Uber, focusing on the company's aggressive growth tactics, corporate culture, and the eventual ouster of CEO Travis Kalanick.

Brad Stone has written extensively about Amazon and tech companies, with books like "The Everything Store" and "Amazon Unbound" providing detailed accounts of Jeff Bezos and corporate expansion. His investigative style and focus on tech industry power dynamics mirror Isaac's approach to covering Silicon Valley.

John Carreyrou exposed the Theranos scandal through Wall Street Journal reporting that became "Bad Blood," documenting Elizabeth Holmes's fraud. His methodical investigation of a tech startup's deception and downfall parallels Isaac's examination of Uber's controversial practices.

Sarah Frier wrote "No Filter" about Instagram's founding and acquisition by Facebook, based on extensive insider interviews. Her focus on social media's impact and startup culture evolution aligns with Isaac's coverage of major tech platforms.

Nick Bilton authored "Hatching Twitter," chronicling the power struggles between Twitter's founders through detailed reporting. His narrative approach to tech industry drama and corporate politics matches Isaac's storytelling methods in "Super Pumped."

Sheera Frenkel co-wrote "An Ugly Truth" about Facebook's internal challenges and external impacts, based on years of reporting. Her work examining tech platform controversies and leadership decisions follows similar themes to Isaac's coverage of Silicon Valley.