Play Nice But Win by Michael Dell |James Kaplan [Hardcover] [rare books]

Book Summary

Play Nice But Win (published October 5, 2021) is Michael Dell’s candid memoir of the three pivotal battles that defined Dell Technologies: launching the startup, fighting to retain control, and transforming the company into a modern tech powerhouse. Dell narrates his evolution—from operating his computer venture out of his University of Texas dorm bathroom to confronting activist investor Carl Icahn during a major leveraged buyout fight.

The narrative is fast‑paced, humorous, and personal—revealing mentors who shaped him, competitors who became allies or opponents, and the sharks that circled during the company’s struggles. It spotlights his innovative direct-to-customer model, Dell’s adaptation to e‑commerce, missed opportunities in mobile, and strategic reinventions, including going private in 2013 to reshape the business, later re-emerging publicly in 2018.

Themes include values-driven leadership, transparency, trust, experimentation, experimentation, and agility. Dell emphasizes that technology is ultimately about people and cultivating long-lasting organizational culture and vision. Praise from the likes of The Economist, Walter Isaacson, Sheryl Sandberg, and Bill Gates highlights the book’s candid tone, narrative momentum, and strategic insight.

About the Authors

Michael S. Dell (born February 23, 1965 in Houston, Texas) is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell Technologies—one of the world’s leading providers of tech infrastructure. He began his entrepreneurial journey by assembling and selling PCs from his dorm room while studying at the University of Texas, later dropping out to focus fully on his company. Dell led a major privatization of Dell Inc. in 2013, later taking it public again in 2018, and orchestrated the record-breaking acquisition of EMC in 2016. Known for his customer‑first philosophy and belief in technology’s potential to benefit society, he and his wife co-founded the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. As of mid‑2025, his net worth is estimated at $125 billion, making him one of the world’s richest individuals.

James C. Kaplan (born September 10, 1951 in New York City) is a renowned author, journalist, and biographer whose work includes profiles and long-form storytelling for The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Esquire, New York Magazine, and The New York Times Magazine. He is the author of celebrated biographies such as Frank: The Voice and Sinatra: The Chairman, and has co-authored bestselling memoirs with John McEnroe (You Cannot Be Serious) and Jerry Lewis (Dean & Me). A Guggenheim Fellow, Kaplan brings narrative flair and readability to Dell’s business memoir