Bringing Nothing To The Party: True Confessions Of A New Media Whore (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I downloaded the book since I enjoy following Carr on twitter and the sample was engaging enough. His writing style is classically British and terribly funny, and he takes pains to explain the people and events that influenced his story.I was underwhelmed as the book dragged on - I only finished reading because by the time I got bored I was 60% or more of the way through. The fact that Carr's business would fail is evident from the beginning, which was part of why I grew so bored. His love interests and drinking escapades were entertaining, but the eventual outcome was so obvious that it felt pointless to continue.I'm glad I finished the book, but certainly glad I didn't pay full price for the Kindle edition. Wry, self-deprecating account of Paul Carr's experiences as a dotcom 2.0 journo/entrepreneur/hanger-on/ligger(1). Often very funny, albeit that the style seems a bit derivative and Charlie Brookeresque at times.(2) The author seems to have spent quite a lot of the time being offhandedly rude to someone and then realising later on that the someone could make a big difference to his career. How he describes these incidents is funny and entertaining, just like it is when a pub raconteur starts off "you'll never guess what a dick I made of myself...". But it isn't as entertaining, I find, when the raconteur launches into what is basically the same story, in almost the same words, for a third or fourth time. This book is guilty of the same thing. It's not a fatal weakness, it's still great fun, but maybe if someone had proof-read it a bit more thoroughly(3) they'd have suggested cutting/rewriting 20 or 30 pages. Would have made for a better book.(1) all perfectly honourable, and fun, things to be - which comes across vividly and amusingly(2)... and often with little sarcastic footnotes(3)the author's sex life was really of no interest at all either.
What do You think about Bringing Nothing To The Party: True Confessions Of A New Media Whore (2008)?
Few books have made me laugh manically on the tube. It helps that I work in a London start-up.
—MrsKitty
Nice little trip down memory lane from the days of the uk internet bubble
—Lauren
Amusing romp through the world of London entrepreneurs.
—NileshBhatt
