always protecting bad managers

As a former Amazon engineer (interned then full time), I can tell you that the problem with many of the horror stories is that they were stuck in a team or org that was just bad and couldn't do anything about it. Other companies (Google, Microsoft, whatever) also exploit young engineers, but the difference is that Amazon just lets bad managers get away for it forever without any repercussions. They pay everyone severance to shut up about it, so they always protect the bad managers from being sued or from hearing about their abuse in the press. The only advice I give is to not ever feel trapped. Don't ever feel like you have to stay because it will make you miserable if you think you can't leave. If you don't like your situation, just leave. You got into Amazon, you can also get in anywhere else.