American Entrepreneur: The Fascinating Stories of the People Who Defined Business in the United States [Hardcover]

Larry Schweikart (Author), Lynne Pierson Doti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2009

Ever since the first colonists landed in 'The New World', Americans have forged ahead in their quest to make good on the promises of capitalism and independence. This book vividly illustrates the history of business in the United States from the point of view of the enterprising men and women who made it happen. Weaving together vivid narrative with economic analysis, "American Entrepreneur" recounts fascinating successes and failures, including: how Eli Whitney changed the shape of the American business landscape; the impact of the Civil War on the economy and the subsequent dominance of Andrew Carnegie and J. P. Morgan; the rise of the consumer marketplace led by Asa Candler, W. K. Kellogg, Henry Ford, and J.C. Penny; and, Warren Buffett's, Michael Milken's, and even Martha Stewart's experience in the 'New Economy' of the 1990s and into today. It is an adventure to start a business, and the greatest risk takers in that adventure are entrepreneurs. This is the epic story of America's entrepreneurs and the economy they created.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"…provides readers with fresh insight into the past and a hopeful vision of the future." --ForeWord Magazine

“A history of America told through the lens of our most innovative businessmen, AMERICAN ENTREPRENEUR, is an informative collection of biographies.” -- San Francisco Book Review

“A great book to read.” -- “The Entrepreneur” column by syndicated columnist Marc Kramer

“…offers a crash course in the history of U.S. business…you'll leave with a much better understanding of the 400 years of America's capitalist experiment.”

-- Forbes.com

Book Description

Ever since the first colonists landed in “The New World,” Americans have forged ahead in their quest to make good on the promises of capitalism and independence. This book vividly illustrates the history of business in the United States from the point of view of the enterprising men and women who made it happen.

Weaving together vivid narrative with economic analysis, American Entrepreneur recounts fascinating successes and failures, including: how Eli Whitney changed the shape of the American business landscape...the impact of the Civil War on the economy and the subsequent dominance of Andrew Carnegie and J. P. Morgan...the rise of the consumer marketplace led by Asa Candler, W. K. Kellogg, Henry Ford, and J.C. Penny...and Warren Buffett’s, Michael Milken’s, and even Martha Stewart’s experience in the “New Economy” of the 1990s and into today.

It is an adventure to start a business, and the greatest risk takers in that adventure are entrepreneurs. This is the epic story of America’s entrepreneurs and the economy they created.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (September 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814414117
• ISBN-13: 978-0814414118
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars American Entepreneur, February 18, 2011

By 

Brendan Lindner - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Entrepreneur: The Fascinating Stories of the People Who Defined Business in the United States (Hardcover)

This book is a strong example of how in today's world we longer see economic problems through the scope of "Austrian Economics." While the stories in this book may be very one-sided at times (aka Lincoln supposedly having built the transcontinental railroad to increase his real-estate assets) it is definitely a must read for students interested in economic policy and how government decisions are made from monetary incentives. This book discusses reasons for why the central bank was made, political entrepreneurs (greedy politicians) v market entrepreneurs (innovators), and how projects that benefit politicians are often disguised as "public interest spending."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Text Book About Historical Business Conditions, Rather than Stories, February 22, 2010

By 

A. Arroyo (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Entrepreneur: The Fascinating Stories of the People Who Defined Business in the United States (Hardcover)

Given that it was written by two college professors, I get the feeling that it was written primarily as a textbook for their students (and an extra way for them to make money off of their positions). I love profiles and hoped that it provide wise, well-researched insights on a variety of great American entrepreneurs. Instead, it just provides a historical explanation of the business environment that allowed entrepreneurship to flourish. It doesn't really tell me anything new that I didn't already know; it just says it a lot more words and points to other people, aka academics, who have also said the same thing. For example, the US Constitution allowed business enterprises to flourish since it prohibited states from exacting commercial barriers to protect their own constituents.

Bottom line: I feel like I'm reading a lengthy grad school thesis rather than an enjoyable, informative book about actual entrepreneurs. If it weren't on clearance at the borders, I would take it back for a refund.

4.0 out of 5 stars Marc Kramer's World's Best Business Books selection, May 30, 2010

By 

Marc Kramer (Philadelphia, Pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Entrepreneur: The Fascinating Stories of the People Who Defined Business in the United States (Hardcover)

We chose this book because it was inspiring and provided a historical account of how the United States became the launching pad for many of the world's greatest companies. Anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur should read this book because it reminds everyone that you can come from any background and start an enterprise at any age. Government officials at all levels that are considering laws that would restrain free enterprise would benefit from reading this book because it will remind them why we need to fight to perserve and nuture the world's greatest innovation and job creator. It's a story that I am sure leaders in other countries have read and try to emulate. Lastly, I also teach a class in entrepreneurship at Drexel University and I have mad this book required reading.