The Book of Business Wisdom: Classic Writings by the Legends of Commerce and Industry (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Andrew Grove, Lee Iacocca, P. T. Barnum, Muriel Siebert, Jack Welch, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, and John D. Rockefeller. Imagine the priceless advice you could reap from these immortals of the business world. The Book of Business Wisdom offers you the opportunity to share the insights and wisdom of more than 50 of the greatest business minds that ever lived. Never before have the writings of such a large and diverse group of business heroes been collected between the covers of a single book.

In The Book of Business Wisdom, more than 50 business legends, past and present, share their passion for excellence and their views on success in business. You'll hear from Andrew Carnegie and Victor Kiam about the road to business success, David Ogilvy and Richard Sears on leadership, Carl Icahn and Bernard Baruch on what it takes to succeed on the Street, and Mary Kay and John H. Johnson on connecting with customers, just to name a few.

For easy reference, the 54 essays featured in The Book of Business Wisdom are organized into eight categories, covering how to get ahead, character, leadership, management, selling and customer service, individuality, entrepreneurship, and investing. Throughout the book, pearls of wisdom from each contributor have been highlighted to draw attention to some of the more memorable and quirky ideas. Each essay is preceded by a brief introduction that offers interesting and insightful information about its author's life and career, and places the essay in historical perspective.

A collection of timeless and universal essays from the sharpest business minds ever, The Book of Business Wisdom is an indispensable source of ideas and inspiration for everyone who wants to succeed.

"This book is a delight to read and a revelation. It contains a wealth of wisdom about how to succeed not just in business, but in life." —Daniel P. Tully Chairman of the Board, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

Lee Iacocca: "If you make believe that 10 guys in pin-striped suits are back in kindergarten class playing with building blocks, you'll get a rough idea of what life in a corporation is like."

Andrew Carnegie: "Boss your boss just as soon as you can; try it on early. There is nothing he will like so well if he is the right kind of boss. If he is not, he is not the man for you to remain with — leave him whenever you can, even at a present sacrifice, and find one capable of discerning genius."

Malcolm Forbes: "A big shot who has never laid an egg . . . is in the position of a hen under a similar handicap, about to be made a meal of." bl12

Muriel Siebert: "Everyone said that the reason there had never been a woman on the floor of the Stock Exchange before was because no lady could stand the language. So I learned the language."

"This serious and well-researched anthology should be in the personal library of anyone who aspires to or desires insight into business leadership." —R. D. Kennedy former Chairman and CEO, Union Carbide Corp.

"A very useful collection which points up the size, scope, boldness, and ever-changing nature of American business and its legendary leaders. The essays are informative, provocative, useful, inspiring, and sometimes funny. In an age when endlessly new information flickers across our computer screens, it is satisfying to hold something that deserves to be bound in leather." —Glen L. Urban, Dean Sloan School of Management, MIT

"This book is a way of getting a century of ideas and experience into the bloodstream of a new generation of entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Perhaps, most of all, it will help revivify the American Dream." —Peter G. Peterson, Chairman The Blackstone Group former U.S. Secretary of Commerce

From the Publisher

From Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie, to Lee Iacocca and David Ogilvy, this dynamic anthology includes 54 essays and speeches on business success, from some of the greatest business leaders of all times. Designed for easy-reference, it features sections on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and more. Notable quotes are called out in larger type in each article. Finally, two indexes cross-reference authors alphabetically and chronologically.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (August 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471165123
• ISBN-13: 978-0471165125
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #376,371 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich Insight into the Motivation of Great Business Leaders, October 13, 1999

By	Scott B. Heintzeman ([e-mail]) (Carlson Hospitality - Minneapolis MN) - See all my reviews

This is a collection of 54 2-5 page essays by giants of business over the past 200 years.

I have found it to be simply fascinating... providing rich insight into the thoughts, values and strategies of great business leaders.

After reading this book, I am convinced that any great business leader only becomes so through the application of a STRONG personal conviction about a specific view of customers, partners, hard work, employees, life, etc.

One of the opportunities we all have is to help our children and co-workers discover or develop deep personal convictions that can be leveraged into a successful personal vision. This book could be a catalyst to develop this kind of vision.

Reading this book is a great investment of your time... for yourself, and for those you have a chance to influence.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun read for perspective and history on business leaders, June 25, 2006

By	Lars Bergstrom "LarsBerg" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The writings of the business leaders of years ago can provide both some interesting perspective on how they set up their companies and a glimpse at the foundation of the practices that we've codified today. Reading this shows just how some of these people got ahead so far: they practiced business in ways that are only today becoming common.

It's also interesting to get a more personal insight on some of these people. From religious extremists to elitists to people you wouldn't mind having live next door, these business leaders cover a wide range. These insight into their personal lives and beliefs also helps to explain why they were able to try out some of the practices they used, and in turn what corporate cultures they tend to be most successfully used in.

But if you're looking for the most modern, polished, well-researched thought, this isn't the book for it. It's more of a historical look at business thought than a modern-day guidebook.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, May 8, 1999

By A Customer

This book is well worth the price. I hope I read this 15 years earlier when I was a teen. Although lots of the advices are common sense, they are still very valuable reminders. If you have a chance, read it.