A look at the founder of Federal Express describes how, in 1970, just back from Vietnam, Smith envisioned a streamlined fleet of airplanes that could deliver packages overnight and how he transformed that idea into a billion-dollar industry. 25,000 first printing.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The wordplay in the title of this instructive business history cum biography is misleading, for Federal Express had immense difficulties procuring financing for its first official flight in 1973, and did not become profitable until 1976. Smith, the son of an entrepreneur who sold his bus company to Greyhound and who then ran a series of restaurants successfully, served with distinction in Vietnam before he put into operation the delivery company he conceived at Yale in 1970. In the process of raising money, he was accused of forging papers to save FedEx from bankruptcy; later he was acquitted on criminal charges of bank fraud. Once the company became established, its annual income moved into the stratospheric range, with a gross of $7.7 billion in 1991. There have been mistakes, especially the failed attempt to expand into Europe, but FedEx's future looks bright, in the view of Trimble ( Sam Walton ). Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
When the business world's future leaders need more inspiration, consolation, or good advice than magazine articles can provide, there is finally a place for them to turn: this captivating history of Federal Express and its dynamic founder, Fred Smith. Trimble, the author of a previous business biography ( Sam Walton , LJ 9/15/90), will have would-be CEOs turning pages in every airport in the country with his short, action-filled scenes, extensive quotes from lords of corporate finance, and willingness to delve systematically into the considerable dirt surrounding Smith's personal and professional life, which includes divorce, death, naivete, a hunger for power, and a penchant for dumping used-up friends. His book does not teach readers how to be transportation moguls, but it does spotlight just how exciting and expensive the flight to success can be. Strongly recommended.
- Kenneth M. Locke, Radford, Va.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Kenneth M. Locke, Radford, Va.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Tired Simplifications and Dirt-Dishing,
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This review is from: Overnight Success: Federal Express And: Frederick Smith, Its Renegade Creator (Hardcover)
"Overnight Success" will not provide readers useful ideas on how to create a very large corporation from scratch, nor how to innovate and maintain success after the initial start-up.
Read something else.
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