The Saga of Saga: The Life and Death of an American Dream [Hardcover]

William F. Scandling (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Scandling cofounded the Saga Corporation as a college student in the 1940s, then helped it grow into a near-billion-dollar catering empire over the next three decades. But his entrepreneurial dream-come-true ended in 1986, when Marriott Corporation launched a devastating takeover. In this plainly written memoir, Scandling tells the company's story in undistorted terms, ultimately delving candidly into the bad decisions that brought it down. Laudably, he largely avoids the blustery tones that weigh down so many other corporate memoirs. Despite its merits, however, this book ultimately belongs to that overcrowded genre. Recommended for large general business collections, especially those with an emphasis on entrepreneurship.
- A.G. Wright, Harvard Coll . Lib., Cambridge, Mass.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 382 pages
• Publisher: Vista Linda Pr; 1st edition (April 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963915002
• ISBN-13: 978-0963915009
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,236,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointment, December 16, 2009

By 

Nancy Laird "Lasergirl" (Rio Rancho, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Saga of Saga: The Life and Death of an American Dream (Hardcover)

I really anticipated reading this book because I worked for Saga Corp. when I lived in California. But I was somewhat disappointed. It was almost like the Bill regurgitated his journals from the early days. There were a lot of gaps and lack of explanation of some phases of the company's evolution. There was little or no mention of the hospital division, of the big new building with the central kitchen in Santa Clara, of some of the incentives and rewards that were given to employees (one of the rewards was a company-paid cruise for District Managers and wives) for the DMs of the region I worked for. I was disappointed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Remembering, October 24, 2008

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Twinkletoes "Oldtimer" (NYC) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Saga of Saga: The Life and Death of an American Dream (Hardcover)

I picked this book because my husband and I attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges where Saga started, so it was kind of nostalgic. What intrigued me was how different it was starting a small business in the 1950's from what it is today, no computers etc.