What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBurn Book
Kara Swisher · Book
If you loved Burn Book, start with Pivot (New York Magazine, 2026) — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Burn Book across media.
What hooked you in Burn Book was the way you witnessed the unchecked ambition and ethical erosion driving Silicon Valley giants.
Films on the same thread
The Social Network
David Fincher · Film · 2010
Explores: Ambition, Betrayal, Friendship.
Much like the founders critiqued in Burn Book, the central figures here grapple with the messy intersection of personal betrayal and the massive scale of their own creation.
BlackBerry
Matt Johnson · Film · 2023
Explores: Innovation, Business Ethics, Technological Disruption.
This film mirrors the cautionary tone of Burn Book by examining how the intoxicating mix of corporate hubris and technological disruption leads to an inevitable, spectacular downfall.
The Big Short
Adam McKay · Film · 2015
Explores: Economic collapse, Corporate greed, Systemic corruption.
If you appreciated the investigative rigor of Burn Book, you will find this deep dive into systemic corruption and greed a perfect companion to understanding financial collapse.
Paris Is Burning
Jennie Livingston · Film · 1991
Explores: Found family, Intersectionality, Performative identity.
While different in subject, this documentary captures the same raw, unfiltered observation of subculture and power dynamics that defines the journalistic approach found in Burn Book.
Series on the same thread
Shark Tank
Mark Burnett · Series · 2009
Explores: Business Pitches, Venture Capital, American Dream.
This series offers a practical look at the venture capital ecosystem that Kara Swisher dissects in Burn Book, revealing the high-stakes pressure behind every modern tech pitch.
Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber
Brian Koppelman · Series · 2022
Explores: Silicon Valley, Corporate Culture, Ambition.
This dramatization provides a narrative extension to the themes of destructive corporate culture and unchecked ambition that you explored while reading through the pages of Burn Book.
Halt and Catch Fire
Christopher Cantwell · Series · 2014
Explores: Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Personal ambition.
The moral ambiguity and intense personal stakes depicted here echo the complex human stories behind the technological breakthroughs documented so sharply within the pages of Burn Book.
Silicon Valley
Dave Krinsky · Series · 2014
Explores: Startup Culture, Corporate Greed, Intellectual Property.
This show turns the lens on the same startup culture critiqued in Burn Book, using sharp satire to expose the absurdity of those who fail to manage success.
Podcasts on the same thread
Pivot
New York Magazine · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Burn Book: corporate accountability.
As a direct continuation of the analytical voice found in Burn Book, this podcast provides the same unfiltered scrutiny of power dynamics within the current tech landscape.
Acquired
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal · Podcast · 2026
Explores: entrepreneurial growth, market disruption, strategic decision-making.
If the business history aspect of Burn Book resonated with you, this podcast offers the granular strategic analysis needed to truly understand how these massive companies emerge.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Burn Book a memoir or a history of the tech industry?
Burn Book is a comprehensive overview of the tech industry written by journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher. The book examines the evolution of the sector while detailing the specific foibles and behaviors of the founders who built these major technology companies.
What topics does Burn Book cover regarding tech founders?
Burn Book focuses on the tech industry and provides an analysis of the various foibles demonstrated by its founders. Kara Swisher uses her experience as a journalist and podcast host to document the history and development of the tech landscape.
Who is the author of Burn Book?
Burn Book was written by Kara Swisher. She is a well-known tech journalist and podcast host who utilizes her professional background to provide an overview of the tech industry and the personal failings of the founders who shaped it.
Should I read Burn Book if I am interested in tech industry history?
Yes, Burn Book is suitable for those interested in the tech industry. The book offers an overview of the industry's history and includes insights from Kara Swisher regarding the various foibles of the founders who have led these major technology companies.