‘Bitcoin Billionaires: A True Story of a Genius’ by Ben Mezrich

“Bitcoin Billionaires” is the latest addition to Ben Mezrich’s impressive nonfiction bibliography, which features best-selling titles such as “Bringing Down the House” and “The Accidental Billionaires,” each later being adapted into the Hollywood blockbusters “21” and “The Social Network,” respectively. This story details the triumphs and tribulations identical twins and Olympic athletes Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss traverse, beginning at the end of a long-lasting mediation with former “friend” and world-famous CEO Mark Zuckerberg over a Facebook-related dispute dating back to their tenure at Harvard University.

Though its outcome proved beneficial, in some ways, to the ambitious duo, their attempt to invest in Sand Hill startups afterwards was hugely lackluster, due to bad blood between them and Zuckerberg. However, one night on the Spanish island of Ibiza, the pair’s luck seemed to turn around, as they were approached by a mysterious and enthusiastic character, who claimed to have his foot in the door on a revolutionary new investment called cryptocurrency.

After returning to New York, Tyler and Cameron were contacted by their Ibiza friend, and soon introduced to their life-changing business partner Charlie Shrem, a Jewish Bronx native and eccentric CEO of BitInstant.

This book offers readers both a compelling story arch, filled with drama, doubt and determination, along with a simple explanation to the background and workings of the bitcoin currency system. In addition, this novel sheds light on the misconception the general public has towards the brothers, redefining the identities of the Winklevoss twins, and redeeming Mezrich’s poor analysis of these men in a previous work. All in all, a fun, fiery, fantastic read.

The book will be featured at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 in conversation with Nadia Bilchik, CNN editorial producer and best-selling author.

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