The reporting and writing of this book would not have been possible without the guidance, encouragement, and trust of many people—from those who patiently walked me through the complex worlds of theoretical computer science, content delivery networks, and the Israeli Special Forces, to my talented editors and the friends and family who offered me their unfailing support.
For entrusting me with the story of his lifelong best friend, I thank Marco Greenberg. Marco has undertaken numerous efforts to keep Danny’s legacy alive, and when I set out to write this book he cheered me on at every turn, always repeating his conviction that Danny would want his story to be told. Marco also spent countless hours sharing memories and mementos of his friendship, details that no amount of reporting could have unearthed.
9My sincere thanks also goes to Tom Leighton, Danny’s best friend, mentor at MIT, and Akamai co-founder, for generously making the time for several lengthy interviews. Although he was promoted to CEO of Akamai during the writing of this book, Tom proved ever the gracious professor in his willingness to walk a journalist with limited schooling in the sciences through basic concepts in theory and computing. Tom’s wife, Bonnie Berger, was also giving of her time, drawing on her recollections of Danny and Tom’s extraordinary journey from MIT to Akamai.9
To the Lewin family—Peggy, Charles, Michael, and Jonathan—I am most grateful. When I first contacted them in late 2011 (after an introduction by Marco Greenberg) to explain that I planned to write a book about Danny, the Lewins kindly agreed to a meeting with me. I traveled from New Jersey to Jerusalem without knowing what, exactly, they would be comfortable sharing. But they warmly welcomed me into their home, and spent a long evening reminiscing about the life, and loss, of their son and brother.
9Thank you also to Anne Lewin Arundale. Although she did not make herself available for interviews for this book, Anne was willing to contribute a few significant details to the story, and generously allowed for the publication of several family photographs.
To Michael Salort, I owe a heartfelt expression of gratitude for first calling on me to help produce a documentary film about Danny, which we screened in a private tribute held at Akamai on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Mike’s unflagging belief in the beauty of Danny’s story and my ability to tell it helped me through the more challenging moments of my reporting and writing.
For the facts and colorful anecdotes I needed to chronicle Akamai’s beginnings and wild ride through the dot-com boom and bust I credit several current and former employees of the company, all of whom agreed to interviews in the interest of expanding Danny’s legacy. In particular I thank Paul Sagan, who recounted stories in the kind of detail that only a former newsman could. Paul also responded, always promptly and good-naturedly, to my many emails filled with follow-up questions.
Jeff Young, who heads Akamai’s media relations, helped a great deal in my reporting of company milestones, clarifying seemingly conflicting facts and tracking down the company’s archival photographs and press material. George Conrades shared stories about Danny with the perspective of a seasoned executive who also loved speed. Laura Malo and Nancy Henry kindly managed all my queries for interviews with Akamai executives. Laura also dug up old photographs and many stories of her own.
John Sconyers always made himself available to answer my queries about Akamai’s first customers and the race to sign them up. Melanie Wynkoop candidly recalled the exhilarating, exhausting buzz at the company before and after its IPO and the intensity of working with Danny. Mike Afergan vividly recalled the story of his first day of work, when Danny assigned him to spearhead a major project with Apple. Lior Netzer gave much of his time to interviews, thoughtfully expounding on Danny’s character not only as a co-worker, but also as a proud Israeli and soldier in the elite unit of Sayeret Matkal.
Thanks also to David Judson, who agreed to a difficult interview in which he detailed his conversation with Danny on the morning of 9/11, less than an hour before he was killed on American Airlines Flight 11.
I’m grateful to the many former employees of Akamai who gave willingly of their time for this book, beginning with Jonathan Seelig. Jonathan was the first to explain the dizzying concept of consistent hashing to me on a whiteboard, which required a good deal of patience. Jonathan also endured a few lengthy interviews, and spoke freely of his friendship with Danny, which formed before the legendary 50K competition at MIT.
Earl Galleher carved out the hours for interviews in both Cambridge and Washington, D.C., and served up some of the most entertaining anecdotes for inclusion in the book. With his characteristic humor and candor, Earl described the early days at Akamai with much-appreciated flare, summing the time up with words that stuck with me: “We just knew we’d never have another experience like that.”
I’m also grateful to Julia Austin, who shared her experience as one of the few female employees of Akamai to have worked directly and regularly with Danny, often clashing with him, but also admiring him greatly and appreciating his friendship. And to Will Koffel, Yoav Yerushalmi, Sef Kloninger, Bill Bogstad and Randall Kaplan—all of whom provided colorful details about their experience at Akamai.
There were many people who worked directly with Danny whose memories and thoughts informed this book. They include Art Bilger at Shelter Capital Partners, Todd Dagres at Spark Capital, Glenn Kaino at OWN and Gil Friesen, the legendary entertainment executive, who sadly passed away before the completion of this book.
Some of Akamai’s early customers gave me invaluable details about how Danny and other company executives won them over, including Randy Dragon (Disney), David Filo (Yahoo), Sam Gassel (CNN), Farzod Nazem (Yahoo), Sean Moriarity (Ticketmaster), and Eric Schvimmer (The Washington Post). I am especially grateful to Sam Gassel, who painstakingly recalled the crush of Web traffic on 9/11, when CNN’s Internet operations had to rely heavily on Akamai to deliver news of the tragedy worldwide.
And I am hugely indebted to Dwight Gibbs, formerly of The Motley Fool. Dwight dropped everything to reminisce about Danny, ending many of our long interviews—after which I apologized for taking up so much of his time—with the heartfelt statement: “Anything for Danny.” Dwight also helped me explain, in layman’s terms, exactly how the Internet works—stripping some of my early drafts of unnecessarily complex detail.
Chris Pasko at Blackstone Advisory Partners walked me through every step of Akamai’s historic IPO, which he led for Morgan Stanley. Chris kindly offered to read a few early drafts of this chapter of the story, which he edited with much thought and precision.
For taking me back to the atmosphere at MIT’s renowned Lab for Computer Science in the mid-90s—specifically to the Theory group class of 1996—I credit Be Blackburn, Yevgeniy Dodis, Eric Lehman, Anna Lysyanskaya, Rina Pinagrahy, Amit Sahai and Salil Vadhan. Thanks also to Mark Gorenberg of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, who shared his recollections of Akamai’s performance at the 50K competition.
In Israel, in addition to the Lewin family, I am indebted to Professor Freddy Bruckstein at the Technion. More than two decades after Danny began classes at the university in Haifa, Freddy remembered Danny as a student and friend. Freddy was also kind enough to introduce me to Haifa; I’ll never forget the sunset over Mount Carmel. I also thank Dan Perry at the Associated Press and Stephen Miller in the office of Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, who both greeted me in Israel and helped me to map out my travel there. And a sincere expression of gratitude to Mayor Barkat, who took time out of his demanding schedule to share his thoughts on Danny’s Israeli spirit, entrepreneurism and heroism on 9/11.
Also helping me to refine and insert detail into a story that transpired more than a decade ago were several of Danny’s former co-workers at IBM’s Research Lab in Haifa and friends/acquaintances in Israel, including (in alphabetical order) Roni El-Bahar, Orli Gann, Yuval Ishai, Moshe Levingale, Dean Lorenz, Ziv Maniawski, Brad Rephen, Meir Samson, Ronen Sarig and Shmuel Ur.
The creation of any book, of course, is a process—at times a highly collaborative one. I could not have seen this story to print without the help and expertise of several people, beginning with my agent, Nathaniel Jacks at Inkwell Management. Nat read one of my magazine features, tracked me down using social media, and asked me if I had any ideas for a book. Two years later, we have a book. Thank you, Nat, for pushing me to take the leap and write, and for diligently working to find a home for this story.
To everyone at my publisher, Da Capo Press, thank you, thank you... First to my editor, John Radziewicz, for his editorial wisdom and for the important, sage reminder that a great book is never really finished. To Jonathan Crowe, formerly of Da Capo, who enthusiastically supported my proposal from its inception. Also thanks to Fred Francis, Justin Lovell, Kevin Hanover, Sean Maher, and Kate Burke for serving as the force behind this book. Finally to freelance editor Marco Pavia, who stepped in during the last mile and shepherded the book, and the author, through the difficult final stretch with such good humor, encouragement, and patience. Mille grazie!
To the friends and extended family who expressed faith in me throughout the book-writing process, I am blessed and lucky to have you in my court. A special shout out to Jamie Stiehm, my dear friend and writing companion at the Georgetown Public Library, for a year of stellar support, counsel and brainstorming sessions over afternoon espressos.
I am also indebted to the discerning readers who bravely dove into a manuscript in the rough, taking the time to edit and share feedback. They include my mother, author Amy Knight, who caught errors even the best copyeditors could not have found at the last hour; Kari Niles, dear friend, talented writer and my arbiter of good literary taste; and veteran journalist and award-winning author Jim Wooten, who broke from his own writing to read my manuscript not just once, but three times, and offer invaluable feedback and encouragement.
A gesture of thanks also to research assistant Jasmine Adams at Georgetown University, and to Dan Monken at the US Army War College for inviting me to speak at the awards event in Danny’s honor.
For never failing to communicate the sentiment that my successes are also theirs, I thank my parents, Malcolm and Amy Knight. While raising three spirited girls my Mom managed to write five books, and my Dad traveled to and worked in what seemed like every corner of the world. I’m still not sure how they did it, but I know they proved to me that anything is possible with drive, curiosity and passion. I also owe a lot to my sisters, Diana and Allie Knight, for their support. Diana, thank you for accompanying me on a whirlwind, unforgettable reporting trip to Israel. And to my amazing extended family—Maggie and Buzz, who swept in during my absences and long work hours to help run the ship at home and care for our little girls. I could not have done this without your unflagging love and support.
For making this book possible, I thank my husband and best friend, Matt Raskin, for his tireless support of all my creative endeavors. During every stage of the book-writing process he stuck with me, pushing me when I faltered and counseling me when I crashed. Thank you for believing in me, and for understanding better than anyone why it is I need to write. And, finally, to the sunshine in my life: Sophie and Claire. The two of you inspire me not only to be a better Mom, but also a better journalist and citizen of the world. This book is for you.