Agent Palmer

Of all things Geek. I am…

The Founders demystifies the dot-com era success of PayPal

The Founders The Story of PayPal and The Entrepreneurs Book Review

How did the PayPal service that we take for granted today come to pass? How close did it come to going under more than once? Just how precarious was its position in the fintech field?

These questions are answered in The Founders: The Story of PayPal and The Entrepreneurs who Shaped Silicon Valley by Jimmy Soni. This book is more than just a story about the supposed PayPal Mafia; it’s the story of Silicon Valley success.

Declassify >

In a three network world, always be the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

Dangerously Funny always be the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

Today, the average content creator is likely to get “canceled” by either the right or the left because what they said was ideologically different.

But decades ago, the Smothers Brothers were removed from the airwaves because they were ideologically ahead of their time, and perhaps because they were trying to ruffle a few feathers along the way.

The point is, Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” by David Bianculli is more than a walk through a different time.

Declassify >

Fact Over Fiction: Why I’m Watching More Documentaries Than Ever Before

Fact Over Fiction: Why I’m Watching More Documentaries Than Ever Before

I don’t know about you, but I’ve recently found myself being more intrigued by documentaries and docu-series than with the fiction that’s being released right now. It could be my age, the current state of fiction, or just the state of content right now.

But what I do know is that it’s the truth. And maybe it’s that truth is often stranger – or more attention-grabbing – than fiction.

Declassify >

A Life Full of Positive Achievements: Memoir! Celebrates Sid Meier

Sid Meiers Memoir by the creator of Civilization

Sid Meier’s Memoir! A Life in Computer Games is a collection of anecdotes from his life, his gameography, and his philosophies. In his games, he sought to put good into the world, and he has done the same with this book. He acknowledges that bad things have happened in his life, but he doesn’t dwell on them.

I’ve previously written about some of the games Sid had a hand in creating, including a few that had his name on the box: Sid Meier’s Civilization, Sid Meier’s Colonization, and even Magic The Gathering Duels of the Planeswalkers.

Declassify >

‘Man in the Arena’ builds new autobiographical medium as it celebrates Tom Brady

Man in the Arena - Tom Brady ESPN Plus

Love him or hate him, Tom Brady has been a winner throughout his career. With Man in the Arena, he may also prove himself as a pioneer.

I absolutely love reading biographies, and I know that as autobiographies you need to take the information with a grain of salt.

Man in the Arena is Tom Brady’s video autobiography. With 9 of the ten episodes released, I can tell you that it’s possible that we’ll see more series like this in the future.

Declassify >