「這本書是我讀過最棒的商業書。」──比爾‧蓋茲
福特汽車公司因推出愛德索新車慘虧3.5億美元,全錄以驚人的速度驟然崛起,奇異與德州海灣硫磺公司鬧出令人難以置信的醜聞,但這些故事有什麼共同之處?它們每一個都是經典商業例證,說明一家標竿性公司可能因為特定一刻的榮光或惡名,帶給世人難以抹滅的印象。誠如這本睿智、有趣且發人深省的書所示,這些例子為我們帶來的商業教訓歷久彌新,直到今天仍然切身中肯。
有關華爾街的故事,總是充滿戲劇轉折與冒險,突顯財經世界奇謀詭計與變化多端的特性。本書作者布魯克斯見解獨到的報導,不僅非常深刻、具有人性,對重要細節歷歷如繪的描述,也讓人覺得無論是1962年美國股市駭人聽聞的重挫、一家著名經紀公司的瓦解,或是美國銀行家為拯救英鎊而採取的大膽行動,歷史都是不斷地重演。
在同樣迷人的主題上還有另外5個故事,成就了這本讀來令人興味無窮又獲益匪淺的故事集。長期為《紐約客》雜誌撰稿的布魯克斯,活潑、生動地說了12個永垂不朽的經典故事,從華爾街到各大城主街,美國企業與財經世界透過他的生花妙筆,栩栩如生地展現在我們眼前。《商業冒險》著實是最活潑、最文采粲然的真正財經新聞報導。
布魯克斯被《紐約時報》譽為「他那個時代的麥可‧路易士(Michael Lewis)」,本書獲得全球兩大商業巨頭比爾‧蓋茲(Bill Gates)與華倫‧巴菲特(Warren Buffett)一致推薦,並譽為商業書經典代表之作。蓋茲表示:「在巴菲特把它借給我看20多年之後,在這本書首次問世45年以後,《商業冒險》仍是我讀過最棒的一本商業書。」
What do the $350 million Ford Motor Company disaster known as the Edsel, the fast and incredible rise of Xerox, and the unbelievable scandals at General Electric and Texas Gulf Sulphur have in common? Each is an example of how an iconic company was defined by a particular moment of fame or notoriety.
These notable and fascinating accounts are as relevant today to understanding the intricacies of corporate life as they were when the events happened.
Stories about Wall Street are infused with drama and adventure and reveal the machinations and volatile nature of the world of finance. John Brooks's insightful reportage is so full of personality and critical detail that whether he is looking at the astounding market crash of 1962, the collapse of a well-known brokerage firm, or the bold attempt by American bankers to save the British pound, one gets the sense that history really does repeat itself.
This business classic written by longtime New Yorker contributor John Brooks is an insightful and engaging look into corporate and financial life in America.