
Leigh Gallagher is an assistant managing editor at Fortune and cochair of the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit. She is a frequent guest on MSNBC's Morning Joe and public radio's Marketplace; appears frequently on CNN, CNBC, and other outlets; and speaks regularly on business and economic issues. The End of the Suburbs is her first book. (Biographical blurb from the back of The End of the Suburbs.)
by Leigh Gallagher
Rating: 4.1 ⭐
• 6 recommendations ❤️
This is the remarkable behind-the-scenes story of the creation and growth of Airbnb, the online hotel platform that has become, in under a decade, the largest provider of accommodations in the world. At first just the whacky idea of co-founder CEO Brian Chesky, Airbnb has disrupted the $500 billion hotel industry, its $25.5 billion valuation is now equal to Hilton and larger than Marriott. Airbnb is beloved by the 80,000 million members of its host community and the travelers they shelter every night. And yet, even as it has blazed such an unexpected path, this is the first book solely dedicated to the phenomenon of Airbnb.Fortune editor Leigh Gallagher explores the success of Airbnb along with the darker side of the story. Regulators want to shut it down; hotel industry leaders wrestle with copying or killing it; residents resent the constant parade of travelers; some hosts see property damage; and some analysts feel Airbnb is dangerously overvalued. This is also the first in depth study of Airbnb's leader, Brian Chesky, the quirky and curious young CEO, as he steers the company through increasingly uncharted waters.
A Fortune journalist examines why the suburbs are transforming and losing their appeal—and why that’s not a bad thing Over the past few years, the American suburbs have undergone a dramatic shift, with millions of once coveted homes now stamped with foreclosure signs and once-pristine neighborhoods plagued by crime and poverty. According to Leigh Gallagher, this phenomenon isn’t merely about the housing bust; it reflects fundamental changes in our society. For example:The nuclear family is declining: Since the Baby Boom, birthrates and marriage rates have shrunk, reducing the demand for big homes in suburbia.The era of “bigger is better” is over: As we become more concerned about the environment we opt for smaller homes and avoid the gas-guzzling nature of suburban sprawl.Our cities are having a renaissance: New research shows that urbanized living actually makes for happier, healthier lifestyles. Blending economic data, analysis, and on-the-ground reporting, Gallagher paints a surprising and fascinating portrait of how the American Dream isn’t over; it’s simply changing.
With Zoom, Fortune magazine extends one of its most successful franchises, 40 Under 40, to bring you original insight on the best-kept secrets of top entrepreneurs, business leaders, and rising tech stars. Discover how Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh built a uniquely attractive corporate culture, how Under Armour founder Kevin Plank took on Nike, and what Marissa Mayer told herself before leaping from a safe post at Google to the high-risk top job at Yahoo. Zoom features the fascinating profiles of these and other young innovators and provides readers with tips to fast-track their own career success. Additional contributors Omar Akhtar; Katie Benner; Ryan Bradley; Erika Fry; Miguel Helft; Michal Lev-Ram; Pattie Sellers; Anne VanderMey; and Kurt Wagner. Praise for "Zoom shocases dozens of today's brightest young business stars... An entertaining and accessible read." - Reid Hoffman, co-founder and chairman, LinkedIn; co-author, The Start-Up of You "Make way, Boomers - here come the Zoomers... A smart and lively book." - Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell is Human and Drive"Compelling profiles of young innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders... It is also a fascinating read!" - Tory Burch, CEO, Tory Burch LLC "Zoom is chock-full of inspirational stories... Fortune 500 leaders will benefit enormously by applying the lessons in this book." - Jim Stengel, former CMO of Procter & Gamble; author of Grow