Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed

In his thoroughly engaging and insightful first book, Reddit cofounder Ohanian extols the importance of a free Internet and exhorts fellow entrepreneurs to follow their dreams. Starting title-free cover and continuing throughout, Ohanian cheerfully breaks numerous business rules. After detailing how he and college friend Steve Huffman created the site reddit.com as undergrads at the University of Virginia (later selling it to Conde Nast), Ohanian then presents a helpful blueprint for readers%E2%80%94including how to identify genuine need in the marketplace, doing the research, and attacking problems. While some pages are devoted to the fruits of Ohanian's labor, he passionately addresses what he sees as job- and innovation-killing legislation: the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). Ohanian convincingly argues for vigilance regarding legislation designed to limit their personal freedoms%E2%80%94no matter how appealing the plans sound when coming from lobbyists. Despite some annoying asides, the book is worthwhile reading for all budding entrepreneurs. (Oct.)