[.ca] Forbes Greatest Business Stories of All Time (ISBN 0471196533)

From Amazon.com:
Historian and journalist Daniel Gross has produced a collection of profiles of corporate high-achievers that is exceptionally informative, extremely entertaining, and endlessly inspiring. In Forbes Greatest Business Stories of All Time, Gross examines 20 pioneering risk-takers who refused to compromise and were ultimately rewarded for their efforts. From the richest man in America during Revolutionary times (Robert Morris) to its richest man today (Bill Gates), the book tracks industrialists, corporate kings, financiers, and visionaries, including J. P. Morgan, Walt Disney, Ray Kroc, and Mary Kay Ash in a manner that shows why all are worth studying.

They Really Are:
Each chapter offers a profile of a major contributor to the evolution of American business history, beginning with one of my ancestors, Robert Morris (America's "first real businessman"), and concluding with Bill Gates ("Microsoft's cofounder and guiding spirit"). In between, Gross and his associates also examine other great leaders such as McCormick, Rockefeller, Morgan, Ford, Merrill, Sarnoff, Disney, Johnson, Ogilvy, Kroc, Wilson, Ash, Walton, and McGowan as well as major corporations such as American Express, Intel, Harley-Davidson, and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. The reader is told, "This book is about heroes" and it really is. Using the most effective strategies and devices of a storyteller, the authors examine biographical information within an historical context, sustaining interest with anecdotes while providing insights as to the causes and effects of each subject's accomplishments. For Morris, essentially the economic survival of thirteen colonies during their struggle for independence. For McCormick, the industrialization of agriculture. For Rockefeller, the creation and development of the modern corporation. For Morgan, saving a nation's financial system. For Ford, mass-producing affordable personal transportation. For Merrill, broadening the base of stock ownership to include those, among others, for whom the Ford Motor Company manufactured automobiles. Each of the other "heroes" discussed made equally important contributions. A brief review such as this can only suggest (albeit inadequately) the wealth of information to be found in Greatest Business Stories of All Time. The prose has snap, crackle, and pop. The focus is crystal clear. The lessons to be learned from the careers examined are of incalculable value. Although this book will be of interest to almost anyone, it will have special importance for school, college, and university students who may sometimes wonder if there are any "secrets to success." The answer is yes. The specifics are to be found in the lives of those who are discussed in Greatest Business Stories of All Time.

An index for further reads...:
The distinct brown box arrived and I tore open the packaging! I had eagerly awaited the arrival of this book and I wasted no time in diving into the pages. I started typing an illustrative review of what I thought about each "chapter", but I think that I will cut away the fluff and just let you know what I thought. Out of the 20 businesses that the book profiles, I thought that on the most part 13 of them were just plain boring. I tried to read the book in one shot but found myself falling asleep as I trudged through the pages. A better way to read the book, I discovered, was to read it chapter by chapter, on different days and at different times. You will gain insights into the different companies, which will enable you to appear insightful when participating in conversations, unfortunately your knowledge will be rather skin deep as the book does not probe very far beneath the surface. The book enabled me to sort through the stories, pick the best ones, and now I will go out and buy other books which are about those companies or people that interested me, (such as David Ogilvy). I also found that the book made great use of language and I was always equipped with a pen, writing down and looking up numerous words.

Well written stories on people who have inspired the Future:
A great book about the people who made a real difference in shaping the present that we live in and influencing the future as it will become. From Robert Morris to Bill Gates; the books takes you on a promonade into their kingdoms. Explaining to the reader many valuable information about each "tycoon's" personality, enterprise, industry, and the general business environment in his particular era. I personally enjoyed the chapters on David Ogilvy, Ray Croc, Sam Walton, Walt Disney, Joseph Wilson, Henry Ford and Harley Davidson. The book portrays many successful personalities and companies that will be of interest to people in varying specializations within Business. An enjoyable read and a good reference. Also read "Lessons from the Top" and "Radical Marketing"

Insightful Summaries:
I found the stories in the book very interesting. They covered a a wide spectrum of industries and spanned over a long time frame. The stories clearly illustrated the most important business figures of the particular time and industry. However, I thought the stories were lacking in detail to make it truly a great read. After reading the book, I felt that I was introduced to the great figures in business. But to know them better, I have to read another book. For example, I knew something about Henry Ford before reading the book. In the story about Henry Ford, I found it superficial. However, in other stories that I was not familiar with the protagonist, like McGowan, I found the story illuminating. I never knew the telecommunications business could be so interesting. As such, I recommend this book to people who wants to know some of the greatest people in business. But to those who want to find out about the secrets to their success, the answer will lie in other more detailed books.

Greatest Stories For The Last Century Is A Better Title:
This book is interesting and has moderate readability. I bought it in the Vancouver airport for my flight to Japan. On the 9 hour flight I found myself drifting off and had to trudge through a few dry chapters. The stories inside do make you marvel at the trials and tribulations entrepreneurs and dreamers faced in building their fortunes. From the country's economy collapsing around you (Robert Morris and J.P Morgan) to fierce competition (Henry Ford) to having your first money making idea stolen from right under your nose (Walt Disney) it shows there has never been an "overnight" success in business. Most of the stories here are those that have changed the way we live or the whole world, Ford, Bill Gates and Cyrus McCormick (cotton reaper) to name a few. Yes, they are great business stories of great men and one woman (Mary Kay Ash) but the best of all time....I don't know. This book is good for motivation and you can learn a lot about big companies and how they got where they are today. Another book that I think is really good for a diverse amount of stories is Conversations With Millionaires. It is not is slick but is a really good read and has the same motivational qualities. I really wanted to give this book 3.5 stars but Amazon.ca only works in whole numbers.