“The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power” by Dana Mattioli is a book that delves deep into Amazon’s dominance and the practices that led to the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust suit against the company. Mattioli interviewed over 600 people, including current and former senior Amazon leaders who provided insights into the company culture established by Jeff Bezos and other senior leaders.
Amazon disputes some of the book’s assertions, particularly regarding the company’s internal use of confidential data. The FTC lawsuit took a new turn with the agency requesting details about the internal use of Signal’s disappearing messages by Bezos, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and others. Amazon refutes these claims, stating that they have been forthcoming on the issue and have strict policies in place to protect confidential information.
Mattioli’s reporting on the book spanned three years, during which she gathered hundreds of internal documents and interviews with numerous sources. She uncovered Amazon’s lax internal controls for protecting confidential data, leading to instances where employees had unauthorized access to proprietary information. Amazon refutes these claims, stating that they thoroughly investigate any reports of misuse of confidential information and have strict policies in place to prevent such incidents.
The book also highlights Amazon’s unique corporate culture, which puts immense pressure on employees to perform and compete against each other. This competitive environment can lead to employees engaging in unethical practices to avoid being in the bottom 6%. Amazon denies these claims and asserts that their culture is centered around innovating for customers’ benefit.
The book draws parallels between Amazon and historical monopolies like Standard Oil, citing instances of predatory pricing and tactics used to stifle competition. Amazon’s impact on prices is also discussed, with the FTC alleging that the company’s fees to sellers have led to increased prices for consumers. Amazon refutes these claims, stating that they fundamentally disagree with the FTC’s allegations and that their success is driven by continual innovation for consumers and small businesses.
Overall, the book aims to lift the veil on Amazon’s secretive practices and reveal instances where the company may have skewed competition in its favor. Mattioli hopes the book will shed light on Amazon’s strategies and encourage readers to critically assess the company’s impact on the corporate landscape. Amazon maintains that their success is built on improving customer experiences, enabling small businesses, and fostering competition in the retail industry.
