**An investigative behind-the-scenes story of the creation and growth of
the highly disruptive start-up Airbnb.
**In under a decade, Airbnb became the largest provider of
accommodations in the world. At first just the wacky idea of cofounders
Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb has disrupted
the $500 billion hotel industry--and its $30 billion valuation is now
larger than that of Hilton and close to that of Marriott. Airbnb is
beloved by the millions of members in its "host" community and the
travelers they shelter every night. And yet, even as the company 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 more controversial side of its story. Regulators want to curb
its rapid expansion; hotel industry leaders wrestle with the disruption
it has caused them; and residents and customers alike struggle with the
unintended consequences of opening up private homes for public
consumption. 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
into new markets and increasingly uncharted waters.