Steve Blank releases updated book

[davidw]

I don't get what he's got against eBooks. Half the comments are asking him about Kindle versions.

Looks like it could be a very interesting book though, if it's written top to bottom, and not just a bunch of his blog stuff lashed together with duct tape and twine.

I recently read The Lean Startup, against my better instincts, and was duly disappointed. A few key ideas and lots of what felt like hand waving to me. I think Eric is the real deal, but somehow managed to produce a book aimed at the management of large companies, rather than people running actual startups. Steve's book, on the other hand, promises "lots of details" and "metrics that matter". Hopefully, actual things that can be measured, rather than "innovation accounting"...

[bry]

I wondered about that too for "Four Steps to the Epiphany" until I saw this post on Quora: http://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-book-Four-Steps-to-Epiphany-...

Essentially he wants people to be able to use it as a workbook, and not as a quick read (if that's even possible).

[chokolad]

And the Lean Launchpad class is not cancelled and is coming in 60 days based on a new material.

[mmahemoff]

Great news. It seems like everyone who ever mentions Four Steps to Epiphany says the same thing: Amazing content, you should take the time to read it, but I haven't actually been able to get through it yet.

[damoncali]

Actually, skip it. It's not that good. There were some solid ideas in it back when he wrote it, but it was/is very raw, and has been fleshed out and refined by Blank and others in the years since. That, and the writing/editing is really bad - not up to the quality of what you find on his blog, which I like a lot.

[gallerytungsten]

I read the whole thing. Great book. It helps to keep a red pen handy if you're perturbed by typographical and grammatical errors.

[drumdance]

If possible, see Ries or Blank in person. They're both great presenters and I suspect you can get 75% of what you need just from listening to that and taking good notes.

The book probably has some good worksheets in it, though, so maybe worth it for that.

[BadCookie]

Absolutely. It really feels like the book has a lot of useful information, but after the first couple of chapters it becomes almost impenetrable. (And I am used to reading technical papers!)

[freshfey]

Too bad that the Kindle version will come later this year. I'd buy this one instantly.

EDIT: Before you buy, check this link out: http://www.bookdepository.com/Startup-Owners-Manual-Steve-Bl... - it's 25% off + it offers free shipping (worldwide!).

[drieddust]

I will never trust bookdepository. Last year I bought a digital book which was DRM protected. For some reason DRM failed to work so I contacted them within 2 hours of purchase but they just refused to understand my situation. After that incident I stay away from DRM too.

[bry]

Any idea when the book will actually ship? I know it goes to press Feb 14th, but when can we actually expect it in our mailbox?

[desigooner]

I think it releases on March 1.

[rburhum]

Sweeeeeeeet