Just $0.99/month for the first 3 months on Audible. Limited-time offer. Start now.
Enjoy this audiobook free + more
Free title with your free trial!
$0.00
  • Click above to get a preview of our newest plan - unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $17.19
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use. and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

Only the Paranoid Survive: How to Exploit the Crisis Points That Challenge Every Company Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,565 ratings

Andy Grove, founder and former CEO of Intel shares his strategy for success as he takes the listener deep inside the workings of a major company in Only the Paranoid Survive.

Under Andy Grove's leadership, Intel became the world's largest chip maker and one of the most admired companies in the world. In Only the Paranoid Survive, Grove reveals his strategy for measuring the nightmare moment every leader dreads - when massive change occurs and a company must, virtually overnight, adapt or fall by the wayside - in a new way.

Grove calls such a moment a Strategic Inflection Point, which can be set off by almost anything: mega-competition, a change in regulations, or a seemingly modest change in technology. When a Strategic Inflection Point hits, the ordinary rules of business go out the window. Yet, managed right, a Strategic Inflection Point can be an opportunity to win in the marketplace and emerge stronger than ever.

Grove underscores his message by examining his own record of success and failure, including how he navigated the events of the Pentium flaw, which threatened Intel's reputation in 1994, and how he has dealt with the explosions in growth of the internet. The work of a lifetime, Only the Paranoid Survive is a classic of managerial and leadership skills.

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $7.49 after you buy the Kindle book.
$0.99/month for the first 3 months
For a limited time, save 90% on Audible. Get this deal

Product details

Listening Length 5 hours and 15 minutes
Author Andrew S. Grove
Narrator Jason Leikam
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date June 21, 2021
Publisher Upfront Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B097CGG6ZB
Best Sellers Rank #99,496 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#255 in Organizational Behavior (Audible Books & Originals)
#622 in Company Business Profiles (Books)
#931 in Business Management (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,565 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and essential for senior leaders. They describe it as an interesting and fun read with a clear, concise writing style. The ideas are considered interesting and eye-opening. However, opinions differ on the story quality - some find it relatable and interesting up to the last page, while others consider it repetitive and boring.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

55 customers mention "Insight"55 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights into managerial aspects. They find it provides a good understanding of Intel culture at its core. The book offers an insightful perspective on thriving in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. Readers say it's essential reading for senior leaders and managers alike.

"...reader is the CEO of their career, and urging vigilance and preparedness to effectively respond to changes in the business environment that could..." Read more

"...into corporate dynamics and personal growth, this is essential reading for senior leaders, though managers and emerging leaders will also find value...." Read more

"...One of the best business, strategy, and leadership books I’ve ever read. GenAI is a huge strategic inflection point...." Read more

"...Andy Grove's insights are invaluable, offering a unique perspective on thriving in a fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape...." Read more

49 customers mention "Readability"49 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and worth reading. They say it explores how to think and is a great choice for managers. However, some feel the second half of the book repeats the same material.

"...I found “Only the Paranoid Survive” to be an engaging and informative read, still relevant twenty-five years after publication." Read more

"Terrific book. I wish I read it when it came out 27 years ago. One of the best business, strategy, and leadership books I’ve ever read...." Read more

"...blends personal anecdotes with actionable strategies is both engaging and enlightening...." Read more

"...It's a case study right? Pul-leassse. It's a well written book that excels at entertaining and letting the corporate heads at Intel pat their own..." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"15 positive3 negative

Customers find the writing style clear and concise, with real-world examples. They describe it as an excellently written book that provides insights in a straightforward manner. The book includes diagrams to help express complex concepts more clearly. Overall, readers appreciate the clear explanations and framework provided by Grove for understanding and prospering from these insights.

"...Mr. Grove’s clear and candid writing style makes this book an enjoyable and enlightening read...." Read more

"...Grove's writing style is clear, concise, and peppered with real-world examples that make the concepts easy to grasp. "..." Read more

"...Some concepts are explained in juvenile, but clear diagrams to express these theories clearer...." Read more

"...as well as how to best adapt to one with perfect strategic and operational clarity. An impactful book; I’ll be re-reading this in 5 years’ time." Read more

10 customers mention "Idea value"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and timeless. They say it's an eye-opener and a great complement to Kotter's leadership books.

"...Great opportunity to learn a lot about Intel's and Grove's failures and successes in this book." Read more

"...It's an interesting and timeless e-book on management. This is a great choice, if you are a manager!" Read more

"...To me the most interesting, resonating, applicable part of the book was the last part where he writes we are each CEOs of the business of our own..." Read more

"Andrew Grove was a terrific CEO and explains the ins and outs that Intel went through many years ago...." Read more

15 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story. Some find it relatable and interesting until the end, with good examples from everyday business. Others feel the writing is repetitive, out of date, and boring.

"...What Intel and Mr. Grove achieved is amazing and the story worth telling...." Read more

"...It was incohesive, inconsistent, juggling ideas, repetitive with weak construction, weak grammar, and language...." Read more

"...Though 16 years in the past, Grove's management advice and stories remain worthwhile. I consider the excerpt above to be the best part...." Read more

"...There are a few really great chapters that discuss how you can create and reign in chaos to drive new business opportunities...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2020
    I’ve wanted to read this book for many years, finally ordered a copy and was not disappointed.

    “Only the Paranoid Survive” was published in 1996 during Andy Grove’s tenure as CEO of Intel. At the time Intel was reaping the benefits of their strategic shift from memory chips to microprocessors. Mr. Grove describes the challenges that Intel faced when it became apparent to him that the profitability and viability of their core memory chip business was threatened by lower cost competitors. The situation exemplified what Mr. Grove terms a “strategic inflection point”, when a fundamental change in the business environment forces a company to make substantial changes to survive. Mr. Grove uses his experience navigating the transformation from memory chips to microprocessors to illustrate the multifaceted challenges posed by strategic inflection points. Further he explains how to mobilize an organization and lead through the uncertainty (referred to as “the valley of death”) to achieve transformation.

    Chapter 9 discusses the growth of the Internet and considers if the Internet will pose a strategic inflection point for Intel’s business. Mr. Grove anticipated the potential for the Internet to transform the media and telecommunications industries, and the opportunities that the Internet would create for Intel’s business (for example the need for more powerful microprocessors to enable PCs to replace televisions).

    The last Chapter was written in 1999 after Mr. Grove stepped down from his CEO role. This chapter applies the strategic inflection point concept to career management, asserting that the reader is the CEO of their career, and urging vigilance and preparedness to effectively respond to changes in the business environment that could threaten their career. This chapter resonated with my own experience working in technology-based industries for the past 30 years.

    Mr. Grove’s clear and candid writing style makes this book an enjoyable and enlightening read. His ability to analyze a problem holistically and draw on diverse perspectives from across his organization is well demonstrated. The need for clear messaging and decisive action is also emphasized.

    I found “Only the Paranoid Survive” to be an engaging and informative read, still relevant twenty-five years after publication.
    16 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
    Andrew Grove’s Only the Paranoid Survive is a powerful examination of what it takes for businesses—and individuals—to thrive in times of disruptive change. The author introduces the concept of the 'strategic inflection point,' a critical moment when the fundamentals of a business shift drastically, creating a potential turning point for growth or failure. These moments can open doors to unprecedented success, but they’re equally capable of signaling the beginning of the end. This concept is crucial for CEOs and leaders who need to recognize and respond to such shifts swiftly; unattended, they can prove deadly for any organization.

    One of the author’s most compelling arguments is that leaders should approach planning as a fire department would: adaptable, prepared, and capable of responding to unexpected challenges. This readiness requires breaking down silos, where 'knowledge power' (those with technical expertise) and 'organizational power' (those managing resources) work collaboratively toward strategic results. Furthermore, the author emphasizes creating an environment that fuels a fear-driven passion to compete and win, where the fear of competition or missing critical changes keeps the team vigilant and responsive.

    The book’s advice extends beyond corporate strategy to career management, framing one’s career as a business in itself—a sole proprietorship that requires personal accountability and proactive adaptation. In the later edition, the author highlights how the principles of strategic inflection points can apply to professional growth. Just as companies must monitor for '10X changes' in technology or customer expectations, individuals need to assess when industry shifts mean it’s time to acquire new skills or reframe their career paths. He urges readers to take ownership of their careers and adapt before it’s too late, reinforcing that nobody owes you a stable career path; it’s your responsibility to navigate the changes in your field.

    With its insights into corporate dynamics and personal growth, this is essential reading for senior leaders, though managers and emerging leaders will also find value. However, it’s perhaps best suited for those ready to explore the nuances of navigating high-stakes, transformational changes, rather than as an introductory management book. Its insights about leadership, strategic clarity, and timing offer a blueprint for those willing to face disruption head-on. With its depth and actionable guidance, it’s a solid 4/5 (second half is 5/5). Highly recommended for any leader committed to guiding their organization—and themselves—through turbulent times.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
    Terrific book. I wish I read it when it came out 27 years ago. One of the best business, strategy, and leadership books I’ve ever read.

    GenAI is a huge strategic inflection point. Larger than the internet. Larger than microchips. Companies not working toward rapid adoption are choosing to fail on purpose.

    Great opportunity to learn a lot about Intel's and Grove's failures and successes in this book.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
    "Only the Paranoid Survive" is an absolute game-changer! Andy Grove's insights are invaluable, offering a unique perspective on thriving in a fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape. The way Grove seamlessly blends personal anecdotes with actionable strategies is both engaging and enlightening. His emphasis on the importance of being vigilant, adaptable, and willing to challenge the status quo resonated deeply with me. This book is a goldmine of wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone navigating the complexities of modern business. Grove's writing style is clear, concise, and peppered with real-world examples that make the concepts easy to grasp. "Only the Paranoid Survive" is a must-read that equips you with the mindset and tools needed not just to survive but to truly excel in today's competitive world. I can't recommend it enough!
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Eduardo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interessante!
    Reviewed in Brazil on December 26, 2023
  • Carlos Sanchez Gonzalez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 5, 2023
    Every company goes through inflection points and this book helps them get through it.
  • ROBERT
    5.0 out of 5 stars incontournable pour chauque HOMME
    Reviewed in France on October 2, 2024
    incontournable pour chauque HOMME
  • mohammad
    5.0 out of 5 stars Management
    Reviewed in Canada on October 13, 2020
    In my opinion this book should read once a year because you can find appropriate approaches for enhancing your professional careers.Amazing book for all managers.
  • obstoaga
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gehört unter die Top 10 aller Business Bücher !
    Reviewed in Germany on December 4, 2019
    In dem Buch beschreibt Andy Grove die Schwierigkeiten die Intel hatte von einem Speicherchip und Transistorhersteller zu einer "microcomputer company" zu werden.
    Wenn man damit klarkommt, daß das Buch vor 25 Jahren geschrieben worden ist, ist dies vermutlich das Beste Business Buch aller Zeiten !
    Die Vorraussichten die postuliert werden, und heute auch eingetroffen sind, sind bemerkenswert.
    Die Erfahrungen die er hier teilt sind unschlagbar zutreffend auch in der heutigen Zeit. Eine Fa. zu führen heisst eben nicht nur "we're gonna be a billion dollar company by the year xyz" zu postuliueren ( Frei nach "wir schaffen das" :-).
    In einer Zeit, in der "Manager" die meisten Chefetagen verseuchen präsentiert er wie wichtig "Leadership" mit klaren Prioritätsvorgaben auch bei großen unternehmen ist. Da reichen ein Paar aus Umfrageergebnissen destillierte "Corporate Values" bei weitem nicht aus.Die meisten "Corporate Values" und "Mission Statements" sind so trivial generisch und nichtssagend, daß sie für jede Schuhfabrik als auch alle Würstelbuden zutreffen würden.
    --- Kurz: Lesenswert ! ----
    (Der aktuelle Preis von 16 Eur für die Taschenbuchausgabe ist für den gebotenen Inhalt ein Schnäpchen.)