Holt Paperbacks

Wonder Boy: Tony Hsieh, Zappos, and the Myth of Happiness in Silicon Valley

A Legacy Defined by Both Triumph and Tragedy

**Wonder Boy** delves into the captivating life of Tony Hsieh, the visionary entrepreneur who revolutionized both the tech world and corporate culture through his pioneering work at Zappos. The book chronicles Hsieh's extraordinary journey, from his early entrepreneurial ventures selling personalized buttons and study guides to building the billion-dollar online shoe empire that became a symbol of employee-centric leadership.

The Rise and Fall of a Silicon Valley Icon

The narrative unfolds as a poignant tale of ambition, innovation, and the elusive pursuit of happiness. Hsieh, a man who achieved unprecedented success at a young age, dedicated himself to creating a workplace that fostered genuine happiness among his employees. This commitment made Zappos a global phenomenon, inspiring countless other companies to adopt similar employee-centric models.

**Wonder Boy** explores the evolution of Zappos’s renowned culture, highlighting the transformative impact of Hsieh's leadership. However, the book also sheds light on the darker side of his story, tracing his descent into mental health struggles and drug addiction. As Hsieh's personal life spiraled, his inner circle shifted from supportive friends to enablers, fueling his downward trajectory.

A Compelling Portrait of a Complex Figure

Through extensive interviews with individuals who knew Hsieh intimately, journalists Angel Au-Yeung and David Jeans paint a nuanced and deeply human portrait of the entrepreneur. **Wonder Boy** goes beyond mere biography, offering a critical examination of the Silicon Valley culture that often glorifies success at the expense of mental well-being.

**Ultimately, the book serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of chasing happiness as a singular goal and the importance of seeking balance and support in the face of overwhelming ambition.** **Wonder Boy** is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of leadership, the relentless pursuit of success, and the human cost of achieving the "Silicon Valley dream."

The Sixth Extinction: An Urgent Call to Action (10th Anniversary Edition)

This Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, now with a new epilogue, is a chilling and essential read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet. Elizabeth Kolbert, a two-time National Magazine Award winner and renowned writer for The New Yorker, takes us on a gripping journey through the history of extinction, revealing a stark truth: we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction event.

A Legacy of Loss: The Sixth Extinction

Over the past 500 million years, Earth has witnessed five devastating mass extinctions, each wiping out a significant portion of life. In "The Sixth Extinction," Kolbert meticulously documents the current extinction crisis, which is unprecedented in its scale and speed.

This time, the cataclysm is not a meteor impact or volcanic eruption, but rather a consequence of our own actions. Human activity is driving species to extinction at an alarming rate, from the vibrant Panamian golden frog to the majestic Sumatran rhino.

A Journey Through Time and Science

Kolbert masterfully blends history, science, and field reporting to paint a vivid picture of the unfolding crisis. She accompanies researchers across the globe, from geologists excavating deep ocean cores to botanists tracking the shrinking tree line in the Andes.

Through their stories, we witness firsthand the devastating impact of climate change, habitat destruction, and invasive species on the natural world.

Facing the Unthinkable: A New Perspective on Humanity

"The Sixth Extinction" is not just a scientific treatise; it's a profound reflection on the human condition. Kolbert explores how our understanding of extinction has evolved over time, from its initial recognition by Georges Cuvier in revolutionary Paris to the present day.

She challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truth: we are not separate from nature, but rather an integral part of it. Our actions have consequences that reverberate throughout the entire ecosystem, and the extinction crisis forces us to reconsider our place in the web of life.

An Urgent Call to Action

In the ten years since its initial publication, the evidence of the Sixth Extinction has only intensified, making the book's message even more urgent. Kolbert's powerful and thought-provoking narrative serves as a wake-up call, urging us to act before it's too late.

"The Sixth Extinction" is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our planet. It's a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the responsibility we have to protect it.

<p>Wandering Souls</p>

<p>Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Excellence in Fiction 2024</p>

<p>Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023</p>

<p>“Wandering Souls is a poetic, heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant celebration of the human spirit. Casting well-known history in new light, Pin offers a capacious rendering of the love, loss, and hope of migration. Stunning and unforgettable.” ―Qian Julie Wang, New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Country</p>

<p>There are the goodbyes and then the fishing out of the bodies―everything in between is speculation.</p>

<p>After the last American troops leave Vietnam, siblings Anh, Minh, and Thanh journey to Hong Kong with the promise that their parents and younger siblings will soon follow. But when tragedy strikes, the three children are left orphaned. Reckoning with survivor’s guilt, the siblings are unmoored by their parents’ absence. After a twist of fate lands the trio in Britain, their paths diverge further with every choice they’re forced to make, until it’s unclear if love alone can keep them together.</p>

<p>Wandering Souls captures the lives of a family marked by loss yet relentlessly pursuing a better future. It affirms that the most important stories are those we claim for ourselves, establishing Cecile Pin as a masterful new literary voice.</p>