BUSINESS ADVENTURES

by John Brooks ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 6, 1968

The title, however apt, doesn't indicate the fascination of the book in which Mr. Brooks dramatizes thirteen recent parlous, sometimes perilous, episodes on Wall Street. Three of the essays appeared in his previous collection, The Fate of the Edsel and Other Business Adventures (in very slightly different form) and many have appeared in The New Yorker. But all of the material seems quite fresh. Here again is the classic ""American antisuccess story"" of the Edsel, paired with the happier fortunes of Xerox. The federal income tax is anatomized, as is the devaluation of sterling (some of the brokers lost faith as well as money), and the market fluctuation of 1962. GE price-fixing appears again as does the story of Piggly-Wiggly. Perhaps the most interesting essays are on David Lilienthal's post-government career as financial consultant, the Stock Exchange's public-spirited (and tormented) decision to back a foundering firm in ""making the customers whole,"" and, finally, the case of Goodrich vs. Latex over the issue of executive raiding--fought in the courts over ""trade secrets"" and its derivative question for all technocratic executives--""Am I married to my job?"" Surprisingly few of these adventures involve piracy--it's more a quest for a grail of gold--with great stress on the public-spirited nature of some of the entrepreneurs. Rare pro-business portraiture which will stand up among the best financial journalism.

Pub Date: Jan. 6, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Weybright & Talley

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION