Details Condition: New Format: Paperback ISBN: 9780753555200 Publisher: Virgin Books Age Range: Adult / Business Readers Overview Zero to One is Peter Thiel's landmark guide to building companies that create new value rather than competing in crowded markets. Co-written with Blake Masters from Thiel's celebrated Stanford lecture notes, it argues true progress comes from doing something genuinely new — going from "0 to 1" — rather than copying what already works. Sharp, contrarian and endlessly quotable, it remains one of the most influential business books of the last decade, essential reading for founders, investors and anyone curious how breakthrough companies are really built. About the Book Peter Thiel co-founded PayPal and was the first outside investor in Facebook, and in Zero to One he distils the thinking that has guided his most successful bets. The book's central premise is provocative: horizontal progress — copying things that work, taking the world from 1 to n — is easy and unremarkable, while vertical progress, creating something entirely new, is rare and valuable. Thiel argues the next great innovator won't build another search engine or social network; they'll do something nobody has done before. Drawing on lessons from PayPal, Palantir and the wider technology industry, Thiel and Masters explore why competition destroys profits, why monopolies built through genuine innovation drive progress, and why planning, boldness and secrets matter more than iteration and guesswork. Chapters tackle topics from startup ownership and team-building to sales, distribution and long-term thinking. The tone is direct and deliberately contrarian, challenging much of the conventional Silicon Valley wisdom around lean startups and rapid iteration. Praised by figures including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, Zero to One has become required reading on start-up and MBA course lists worldwide, valued as much for its philosophical framing of progress and technology as for its practical business advice. Key Benefits Written by a co-founder of PayPal and early Facebook investor — real-world credibility Concise, quotable chapters ideal for busy founders and students Challenges conventional startup thinking with a genuinely contrarian framework Widely recommended reading on business and entrepreneurship courses Compact paperback, easy to carry, re-read and reference A modern business classic that still shapes start-up thinking today About the Author Peter Thiel is a technology entrepreneur and investor best known for co-founding PayPal, and for co-founding Palantir Technologies and making the first outside investment in Facebook. He has provided early funding for companies including SpaceX, LinkedIn and Spotify, and runs the Thiel Foundation supporting emerging tech talent. Blake Masters was a Stanford Law student whose notes on Thiel's 2012 startup class became an internet sensation; he later served as President of the Thiel Foundation and COO of Thiel Capital, and co-wrote this book. Why You'll Love This Book A sharp, opinionated masterclass in building something genuinely new, from one of Silicon Valley's most influential investors — essential, quotable reading for founders, students and anyone fascinated by how real innovation happens. Please Note: Cover design may vary slightly; this listing is for the UK edition (ISBN 9780753555200) as shown.