An Empire Undone: The Wild Rise and Hard Fall of Chris Whittle (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Enjoying the cooperation of Whittle and his friends, family and associates, Trimble's work is more official history than critical biography. By accentuating the positive and minimizing the negative, Trimble (Sam Walton) diminishes what is otherwise a good story. While at the University of Tennessee, Whittle and three mates published a freshman guide that, after several difficult years, evolved into the 13-30 Corp. and profitable enough to acquire Esquire magazine. A falling out with his partner, Phillip Moffitt, resulted in his colleague's taking control of the magazine and leaving Whittle with the remainder of the business, which he renamed Whittle Communications. In 1989, Whittle started the controversial TV program for students, Channel One. This shift to a video-oriented company, coupled with Whittle's inability to control either his own or his company's expenses, sowed the seeds for financial disaster. By January 1995 Whittle was shorn of everything but his stake in the Edison Project, designed to own and operate for-profit schools. A scaled-back version began recently in Texas. Whittle's decline was in many ways more fascinating than his ascent, and deeper analysis of his demise would have made Trimble's biography better rounded. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

A revealing look at the life of entrepreneur Chris Whittle explores Whittle's early successes in advertising and as the creator of Channel One TV, shows how his empire collapsed as his educational ideas failed, and discusses his Edison Schools Project.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 371 pages
• Publisher: Carol Publishing Corporation (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559723092
• ISBN-13: 978-1559723091
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,408,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book for anyone that is in business, September 17, 1997

By	A. Parish "Mainstream Baptist" (Windermere, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Trimble does an excellent job researching. I've personally talked with Dr. Spiva who financed Chris Whittles first venture, and he feels the book represent the dramatic story of Chris Whittle. This book is a must read for any University of Tennessee graduate. Much of what made Chris was based upon his undergraduate work at the university