Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal Audiobook by Nick Bilton

The Forced Departure of Evan Williams

• 🤢 Evan Williams was in distress, feeling sick and shaking, just before he was to announce his departure as CEO of Twitter.
• 🗓️ The announcement was imminent, with 45 minutes until he had to address 300 employees and hand over power.
• 📝 A prepared blog post would falsely state that Williams was stepping down "of his own volition" and that Dick Costello would become the new CEO.

The Reality Behind the Coup

• 🔪 Williams was actually forced out in a "malicious, bloody boardroom coup" orchestrated by people he had hired, former friends, and investors.
• 💰 Despite being worth over a billion dollars and dedicating his life to Twitter, he had no choice in the matter.
• 👨‍🌾 Williams, a farmer's son from Nebraska, had arrived in San Francisco with debt but built the company into a giant.

Twitter's Rapid Growth and Impact

• 📈 At the time of the transition, Twitter boasted 165 million registered users sending 90 million tweets daily.
• 🌍 The platform was recognized for its significant role in Middle East revolutions, aiding protests and the fall of dictators in several countries.
• 🤝 Co-founders Biz Stone and Jason Goldman attempted to comfort Williams amidst the turmoil.