An interesting business book highlighting 50 companies that the author felt changed the world. From The East India Company to Google, the book spans many centuries. I feel that the book is greatly geared to a British target audience but this American found the book well worth the read. I learned a lot and got background on many companies that I would never have researched myself. I was disappointed by a few companies that were missing, but as I said, it had included a few companies that I would never have thought of. I also would have liked more in depth reports included in the book. Some of the reports did not give a business description but rather the history of one of the company’s main products. Still, the book had many examples of various businesses and their products over the centuries. If business is truly cyclical, having a better understanding of these companies could prove to be truly helpful. ( )

В этой замечательной книге собраны истории великих компаний, оказавших значительное влияние на ход прогресса и развитие человечества: от созданной в семнадцатом веке East India Company до современной нам Google, Inc. Мир без них был бы совсем другим. Вы узнаете о жизненных перипетиях таких бизнес-гигантов, как Kodak и Disney, IKEA и CNN, Coca-Cola и Microsoft, с самого их появления на свет.

Безупречно составленная и изданная книга послужит превосходным подарком ценителю эксклюзивных изданий, тому, кто видит историю за привычной упаковкой.

Profiles and commentary about 50 companies that have made a lasting impact on technology, culture, and business. Any such list is obviously subjective. This author draws across industries, geographies, and types of impact. You could suggest reasonable alternatives, but the companies included are truly interesting for the impact they made and how it occurred. The portrayal of each selection is fair, though he does often end with a parting shot at politically unpopular leaders. ( )