The General: David Sarnoff and the Rise of the Communications Industry (Hardcover)

~ Kenneth Bilby (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Early champion of home radio, creator of the first national broadcasting network and pioneer of color TV, RCA's president Sarnoff did more than anyone to bring electronic technology to the public, in the view of Bilby, a corporate associate. With empathy, he traces Sarnoff's life and career, the rise of RCA and its decline after Sarnoff's departure, and television's impact on the life patterns, cultural values and politics of Americans. The Russian-Jewish-immigrant wireless operator, a disciple of Marconi, rose rapidly to the presidency of RCA at age 39 and ruled for 35 years an empire that included the NBC network, manufacturing, RCA Victor phonograph and RKO motion pictures divisions. During World War II, RCA converted to defense production while Sarnoff as a reserve colonel, and later general, headed Allied communications in Europe. Postwar activity centered on color TV in fierce rivalry with CBS. In appraising Sarnoff's autocratic managerial style, Bilby makes comparisons with the Japanese who have the same kind of long-range commitment and perseverance.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This is a perceptive account by a young American of one year as a teacher in a "Coloured" school in the Cape Flats area of Cape Town, South Africa. While lacking the long-term perspective of Joseph Lelyveld's Move Your Shadow (LJ 11/15/85) or James North's Freedom Rising (LJ 5/1/85), the book is a valuable presentation of the realities of apartheid. Finnegan does not offer solutions but describes his own growth in understanding the tremendous inadequacies of the educational system and the evil of the entire political system. A large part of the book describes the school boycott of 1980, which began in the Cape Flats. Finnegan's well-written stories of individuals seen through middle-class American eyes should appeal to many readers. Valuable for public and college libraries. Maidel Cason, Univ. of Delaware Lib., Newark
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 326 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (August 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006015568X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060155681
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,152,963 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before Bill Gates, there was David Sarnoff, September 18, 2001

By A Customer

Painstakingly researched, fascinating, and authoritative biography of a business leader who wielded enormous influence over the course of the 20th century. David Sarnoff's life reads like an American Dream; from impoverished Russian-Jewish immigrant to visionary autocrat of high technology, his leadership remains the touchstone for today's high-tech CEOs.

Students of business as well as avid biography-readers will find much to learn here. Comparisons of the corporate regulatory environment, such as the RCA anti-trust hearings to Microsoft's current situation are inevitable. But perhaps most interesting of all is how Kenneth Bilby traces the roots of one man's power, influence, and vision.

What is Greatness in the corporate world? Read, and find out.