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Conspiracy

Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue

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Conspiracy

By: Ryan Holiday
Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
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About this listen

In 2016, one of the giants of modern journalism fell: Gawker Media, infamous for saying what other outlets wouldn't say, was sued for publishing Hulk Hogan's sex tape, lost the case and went bust. After countless other lawsuits it seemed that Gawker had finally run out of luck. But luck had nothing to do with it.

Peter Thiel, PayPal founder and billionaire investor, had masterminded the whole thing. Still furious at an article that had outed him 10 years previously, and increasingly disgusted at Gawker's unscrupulous reporting methods, Thiel had spent nearly a decade meticulously plotting a conspiracy that would lead to the demise of Gawker and its founder, Nick Denton. After a multiyear proxy war through the Florida legal system, the settlement of $140 million in favour of Hogan ended it. The verdict would stun the world, and so would Peter's ultimate unmasking as the man who had set it all in motion. Why had he done this? How had no one discovered it? What would this mean - for free speech? For privacy? For culture?

In Holiday's masterful telling of this nearly unbelievable conspiracy, informed by exclusive interviews with all the key players, this case transcends the narrative of how one billionaire took down a media empire or the current state of the free press. It's a study in power, strategy, and one of the most wildly ambitious - and successful - secret plots in recent memory.

©2018 Ryan Holiday (P)2018 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about Conspiracy

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great book

the most ironic part of this book is that fact that Facebook and cyber bullying has caused more damage than Gawker ever did.

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Wonderful

Should be a tv series or movie....thought provoking and like all of Holiday's books always worth the read.

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Great book, terrible narration

This is the second Holiday book I've read, and he's certainly improved as a writer. I was captivated by the narrative throughout, and even though there's perhaps a little too much analysis the paving was good enough to keep me enthralled.

But Holiday. Stop. Reading. Your own. Books. Your pauses. Hurt. My ears. You are far. Too. Monotonous. You are not. A good. Narrator. I don't know if it's a cost saving tactic, but it really doesn't make me want to read another of your books.

Overall a great read, I can't deny that. I'm glad I got the book. But geez Holiday you make it a difficult decision.

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3 people found this helpful

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Shakespearean drama played out in modern times.

Ryan Holiday has reached a new level in telling this tale of conspiracy in the modern age. As much a lesson on the nature of conspiracy as an engrossing tale of power, the author leverages his relationships with the protagonists to lift the veil on a story that could have been at home in a Shakespearean drama. I loved every moment of this, including Ryan's musings on the players and their drives. Well narrated and utterly spellbinding. Highly recommended.

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interesting story but drawn out

This was an interesting story but it felt a bit long winded and repetitive at times.

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Fine Story but Ignore the last three chapter

It's a fascinating story but the last few chapters are completely irrelevant to the story of Peter Thiel vs Gawker via Hulk Hogan.

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hard to put down

great story that challenges your thoughts on right and wrong. Another great book from Ryan

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interesting!

didn't know what to expect but gave it a go because I'm a fan of the author. well narrated and considered as always, interesting listen.

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Great thought food

Very good story, thoughtfully told. Plenty of grist to chew on.
Would have preferred a different narrator for the audio version. I realise this was the author reading, but not always best choice

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Fascinating story!

Amazing story, interspersed with Holiday's usual historical anecdotes and contemplations.

The narration is a little distracting but the content shines thru.

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