I think it's a pretty strong statement to state every entrepreneur. I've been reading Feld since he started blogging but that statement assumes every entrepreneur reading TechCrunch is planning on chasing VC money.

On the other hand if you're bootstrapping I'd recommend Start small, stay small: an entrepreneurs guide to launching a startup by Rob Walling. That is until patio11 writes the definitive guide.

You could also read 'Do More Faster' by the same authors as this VC book. I've read that one and it's solid.

I'm against strong general statements like this. But this is a really really nice book.

I bought it after reading Fred Wilson recommending it and it's been awesome so far. It reads like a book, not a manual, and minus a few parts (term sheets), it really wasn't hard to follow at all.

I'm about half-way done with it and it's good to get all this knowledge from a VC. I'm part of an accelerator this summer and I've recommended it to everyone else participating...it's really a wealth of knowledge presented in a clear and concise manner.

Am I more likely to succeed by reading this book and participating more directly in my negotiations, or by spending more time on my work and hiring a lawyer with a reputation for understanding these negotiations?

I don't think hiring a good lawyer and understanding these things are mutually exclusive. IMO, you will be much more successful and less screwed by understanding how it works and participating directly in your negotiations while working with a good lawyer.

Whether this book helps in understanding or not I don't know since I haven't read it, yet.

Adding another data point: Bought it, reading it, so far very impressed.

Can we just buy a PDF version?

But then it wouldn't be just "like having Brad whispering in your ear when you pitch VCs," as one Amz customer revr said.

It's on Kindle.

I wish it were not $30 on Kindle, but I bought it anyway.

I feel like $30 pales in comparison to $8mm.

Or to the $800/HR lawyer, even.