cover image Groupon’s Biggest Deal Ever: The Inside Story of How One Insane Gamble, Tons of Unbelievable Hype and Millions of Wild Deals Made Billions for One Ballsy Joker

Groupon’s Biggest Deal Ever: The Inside Story of How One Insane Gamble, Tons of Unbelievable Hype and Millions of Wild Deals Made Billions for One Ballsy Joker

Frank Sennett. St. Martin’s, $25.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-250-00084-2

Groupon CEO Andrew Mason takes center stage in this story about the company’s founding, development, and explosive assent. Tracing the unfolding drama, Sennett (editor-in-chief of Time Out Chicago and author of 101 Stunts for Principals) takes us from November 2006, when Mason first pitched the idea for Policy Tree (Groupon’s precursor) to Eric Lefkofsky, the man who became Groupon’s chairman, to early November 2011, when Groupon finally went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Sennett commendably keeps the story lively, presenting an array of tales about the pranks and hijinks that went on within the company. But the pace inevitably slows as the narrative shifts to details about takeovers and the company’s attempt at getting its IPO approved by the SEC. However, it’s refreshing and enjoyable to read Sennett’s likable portrait of Mason (“the inexperienced CEO hiding a brilliant analytical mind behind a goofball demeanor”) and Lefkofsky (nicknamed “Punchable” by Mason for his hard-edged, “alpha dog” attitude). Sennett succeeds in presenting a balanced view of the company, complete with bad press and “damaging controversy.” Agent: Mel Flashman, Trident Media Group. (June)