American Business Leaders: From Colonial Times to the Present (2 Volume Set) [Library Binding]

Neil A. Hamilton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

Emphasizing the 20th century, this work showcases the lives of 413 visionary men and women who shaped and lived the American dream, spotlighting industrialists, investors, inventors, entertainment moguls, and communications pioneers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Engaging biographies of approximately 400 major figures in the business world. Although the book includes men and women from the "Colonial period to today," the focus is on 20th-century entrepreneurs. Background information, including significant dates, family, and education, is provided as is a discussion of their entrepreneurial claims to fame. The concise, alphabetically arranged entries are generally one to two pages in length and each concludes with a bibliography. Many incorporate a black-and-white photograph, reproduction, or sketch of the subject. Volume II includes a helpful list of the individuals arranged by field of endeavor. While the book is well written, much of the information provided can be found in other resources.
Madeleine G. Wright, New Hampton School, NH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Most libraries are in constant need of good biographical business reference books, which makes this newest general effort by Hamilton (The ABC-CLIO Companion to the 1960s Counterculture in America) all the more disappointing. This two-volume set contains approximately 400 biographies of so-called "major business leaders," from Colonial times to the present. The book's format is simple: name, birth and death dates, and an illustration or photo are followed by an essay averaging two double-columned pages. The essays are written in a clear and easily accessible style. Unfortunately, they tend to cover the subject's general biography in greater detail than his or her business significance. In addition, there is a conscious effort to achieve diversity and relevanceAan admirable goal that has troubling consequences: traditional business giants like Westinghouse, Ford, and Carnegie are accompanied here by the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, the Wrigleys (of gum and Cubs fameAor infamy), Gloria Steinem, all four Warner brothers, Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry's, both Gallo brothers, Jann Wenner, Martha Stewart, Bob Guiccione, and Calvin Klein. Overall, this is an acceptable but finally optional purchase for high school and public libraries. The old H.W. Wilson chestnut Current Biography is still a much better resource and value for contemporary figures.APatrick J. Brunet, Western Wisconsin Technical Coll. Lib., La Crosse
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 791 pages
• Publisher: ABC-CLIO (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576070026
• ISBN-13: 978-1576070024
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.2 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,903,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WELL (AND NOT SO WELL) KNOWN HEAVY HITTERS, January 13, 2004

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This review is from: American Business Leaders: From Colonial Times to the Present (2 Volume Set) (Library Binding)

In his preface to what he hoped would be an encyclopedia for
general readers, Neil Hamilton admits that selecting which business
leaders to include was no easy task. Ultimately, he selected 413
visionary male and female "movers and shakers".

The well-known moguls of American industry are all here,
shoulder to shoulder with the lesser-known. Andrew Carnegie, Bill
Gates and John D. Rockefeller keep good company with Mary Spratt
Alexander, who built a mercantile empire in early Colonial America
while, at the same time, bearing ten children and supporting her
husband's political career, and Madame Sarah Walker, an
African-American who became a millionaire in the 1800's by building
a business based on hair care products for black women.

All the contemporary heavy hitters are represented, from Dick Clark
and Helena Rubinstein to Boone Pickens, Ross Perot and Ben & Jerry.

While the emphasis, naturally enough, is on American business
during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the encyclopedia
covers the period from the seventeenth century to the present day.
The areas of evdeavor include finance and banking, heavy industry,
food processing, broadcasting and communications, computers and
entertainment.

The entries, written in a lively and informative manner, are all
set within the social context of their times, and each is
accompanied by a bibliography.

A good source for researchers, browsers and those seeking inspiration,
this excellent and very readable work also offers an alphabetical
listing of business leaders, a preface, a list of leaders by field
of endeavor and an index.