From Nothing: A Novel of Technology, Bar Music, and Redemption - Hardcover

Goldstein, Ken

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1611882540 ISBN 13: 9781611882544

Publisher: Story Plant, 2018

Synopsis

Victor Selo had blown up his life. A wannabe rock star turned tech savant, he'd wagered his Silicon Valley executive position on a corporate inside straight and lost. Having security escort him out of the building was the best thing that happened to him that day. The rest left him in the hospital, broken, broke, and with no prospects. That's when a shadowy stranger with questionable motives came with an offer: a chance to get his life back - and better - if he simply cooperates. It would require becoming invisible for a while, but he would be hiding in the spotlight, playing guitar in a Vegas cover band. Reluctantly, Victor accepts and begins an odyssey he never could have imagined. One that involves a charismatic lead singer who owns the stage but aspires to own an Elvis wedding chapel, a mesmerizing woman who can play anything on her keyboards and can really play with Victor's head, and two specters from his old life offering competing devil's bargains. Suddenly, multiple futures are opening up in front of Victor. All of them offer opportunity - and each comes with potentially catastrophic risk. Populated with a wide array of colorful characters, brimming with reflections on everything from love to God to the price of commitment, and backed by a great soundtrack, From Nothing is an endlessly engaging work of fiction that will resonate like your favorite song. Praise for Ken Goldstein's novel This is Rage: "This is Rage is that rare book - a fascinating, fast-paced, really smart thriller. Part action/adventure story set in the wilds of Silicon Valley, and part insider's exposition of some of the major inner workings of our contemporary economy and of the secrets of today's High Tech 'Masters of the Universe' - Ken Goldstein succeeds in making this a debut that will make your heart race - even as it gives you plenty to think about." - Naomi Wolf, author of Give Me Liberty "I worked with Ken Goldstein at Disney: and since I knew he could write, I encouraged him to do just that, to write a novel. As impressed as I always was with him as an executive, I'm equally impressed with what he accomplished with a pen (or maybe a computer)." - Michael Eisner "Ken Goldstein knows the ins and outs of Silicon Valley - the customs of the land and where the bodies are buried. I would read anything he wrote, nonfiction or fiction, set on that fascinating terrain." - Will Schwalbe, author of The End of Your Life Book Club

About this title

Review

"In his third book, From Nothing, I was hooked from the very first page by Ken Goldstein's masterful storytelling. Only he could weave a story of competing vulture capitalists with eyes on a distressed software company with that of a Las Vegas cover band chasing dreams of superstardom--and teach us important lessons about leadership along the way."--Scott Freiman, Founder, Deconstructing the Beatles

"From Nothing to a HIT! I was drawn in through Victor, a complicated character who connected with my heart and psyche. I was delighted by the action, suspense, conflicts, and twists in the story. From Nothing" becomes the soundtrack of your life and you'll put it on your top ten list."--Karen Nishimura, co-author, You've Heard These Hands

"From Nothing is the most imaginative, fully-realized book I've read in a long time. The pacing was superb--rollicking plot, richly detailed landscape, and characters with insights that stayed with me long after I put the book down. I walked into the plot and stayed right there with the characters the entire journey. The combination of high-stakes corporate greed in a software start-up, the pursuit of a rock and roll dream, and a hint of spirituality and philosophy thrown in is a brilliant combination that gives From Nothing its own unique voice and resonance. From Nothing is everything. I wanted to read it all over again the minute it ended."--Lisa Hickey, Publisher, The Good Men Project

"From the boardroom to the bandstand, Goldstein's From Nothing doesn't miss a beat, taking readers on a wildly unpredictable but wholly believable tale of 21st century rock n' roll soul redemption. Crackling dialog, tantalizing peeks into the cutthroat world of Silicon Valley, and vibrant scenes of unvanquished rock n' roll dreamers make From Nothing a must-read."--Robert Burke Warren, author of Perfectly Broken

"I grew up with the music, but the author introduced me to the inner workings of modern tech. A fascinating look at the world of startups, innovation, corporate greed, and personal responsibility wrapped up in a gripping, high-stakes thriller."--Wilson Milam, Tony-nominated stage director

"Only a Silicon Valley insider with the soul of a classic rock musician could have authored this penetrating story of a man who finds his true identity after suffering the sting of betrayal from the men who promised to help fulfill his dreams. From Nothing is the perfect book-end to Ken Goldstein's now-classic novel This is Rage--a more personal, yet universal story about one man's struggle to embrace an elusive faith and receive the redemption he may or may not deserve. A book rich with insight and human introspection, From Nothing is also a page-turning thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end."--Stephen Jay Schwartz, Los Angeles Times bestselling author of Boulevard and Beat

"In From Nothing, Ken Goldstein perfectly blends rock n' roll and Silicon Valley with an unforgettable cast of characters. Storytelling at it's very best!"--Fauzia Burke, author of Online Marketing for Busy Authors

"From Nothing is a well-crafted, multilayered work of fiction that is all too real. Greedy CEO's. Conniving investment bankers. Spineless board of directors. Powerless employees. But it's deeper than that. It's a brilliant story of life's choices--career or true love, loyalty or betrayal, honesty or dishonesty, morals or money, stagnation or innovation. It's about beliefs in fate or free will, in God or Godlessness. It puts raw talent on a pedestal yet makes it clear that talent can only go as far as luck decides. This isn't just a novel. Goldstein, the artist, has woven a tapestry of life. Read it deep."--Gene Del Vecchio, author of Creating Blockbusters

"From Nothing is a taut thriller with plenty of soul, action, and percolating dialogue."--Culture Sonar

"This is one of the best books I've had the pleasure to review in a long time The best advice I can give to you folks is go out and get this book..."--Book Room Reviews

About the Author

Ken Goldstein advises start-ups and established corporations in technology, entertainment, media, and e-commerce. He has served as chief executive officer and chairman of the board of SHOP.COM, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online, and as vice president of entertainment at Broderbund Software. He speaks and teaches frequently on topics of leadership, executive management, and innovation. His first book, This Is Rage: A Novel of Silicon Valley and Other Madness, was published by The Story Plant in October 2013 and adapted by the author for stage production. He is also the author of Endless Encores: Repeating Success through People, Products, and Profits.

About this edition

• Publisher: Story Plant
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1611882540
• ISBN 13: 9781611882544
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352