This is a superbly written and balanced book about IBM from its earliest days through the early 1990s. It covers the development of the company from the early punched card days through the System 360 and AS400. It provides an interesting and through discussion of the culture and the ability of the Watsons to guide the company through what was really a highly competitive market. It is a great discussion of IBM's organizations and some of the key people instrumental in its development as a well managed and profitable company.
What I found missing were the attempts to expand into other business ventures such as the early days of videotext, which morphed into the Internet. I also did not see any extensive discussion of the R&D areas. Also missing was a detailed discussion of the antitrust battles as well as the developments of the PC. Fundamentally it is a book about the IBM management and sales style.
This is well worth the read to understand how companies developed in the early and mid 20th century. Yet it is unlikely we will ever see companies having a company song again.
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