The Contrarian

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A New York Times Notable Book, this biography explores the life of venture capitalist and entrepreneur Peter Thiel, a significant figure at the crossroads of technology, business, and politics. Since the late 1990s dot-com bubble, Silicon Valley has transformed the world, with Thiel playing a pivotal role in shaping its landscape. As a billionaire venture capitalist, he has influenced various aspects of modern life, from everyday technologies to the intricate power dynamics involving Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and Washington. Despite his impact, Thiel remains a mysterious figure. In this first major biography, Max Chafkin examines Thiel's unique life and perspective, detailing his upbringing as the son of immigrants, his time at Stanford as a conservative thought leader, and his ventures, including founding PayPal and Palantir, as well as early investments in Facebook and SpaceX. The book highlights Thiel's relationships with tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, and his efforts to extend his influence beyond Silicon Valley, including funding the lawsuit that took down Gawker and supporting far-right political candidates, particularly Donald Trump in 2016. This eye-opening and well-researched account offers a revealing look at a distinctive leader and the complex, often controversial tech industry he has helped shape.