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Showing 161 - 180 of 1800 items
By A. Craig Copetas. 1985
This true story of the multibillionaire who fled to Switzerland &“reads like a mystery novel&” (USA Today). How did…
Marc Rich make over ten billion dollars while paying hardly any taxes? Journalist A. Craig Copetas infiltrated the inner circle of the commodities market and Rich&’s associates to show not only how the metals and minerals trader pulled off the scam, becoming one of America&’s most wanted criminals, but also how other traders have used the same model to evade taxes as well. A continuing figure of controversy even after his death, Rich, a hedge fund manager and the founder of Glencore, was wanted for evading almost ninety million dollars in taxes and if caught, could have spent life in prison. From a former staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal, Metal Men is a story of international intrigue spanning the globe, from the inside of the White House to the Kremlin, a brilliantly researched work that exposes the inner workings of one of country&’s largest scams. &“Mr. Copetas is at his best evoking the high-stakes, fast-paced life of the commodities traders: the greed and corruption that consume them are the stuff of high drama.&” —The New York Times Book ReviewBy Margaret Leslie Davis. 1993
The rise and fall of William Mulholland, and the story of L.A.&’s disastrous dam collapse: &“A dramatic saga of ambition,…
politics, money and betrayal&” (Los Angeles Daily News). Rivers in the Desert follows the remarkable career of William Mulholland, the visionary who engineered the rise of Los Angeles as the greatest American city west of the Mississippi. He sought to transform the sparse and barren desert into an inhabitable environment by designing the longest aqueduct in the Western Hemisphere, bringing water from the mountains to support a large city. This &“fascinating history&” chronicles Mulholland&’s dramatic ascension to wealth and fame—followed by his tragic downfall after the sudden collapse of the dam he had constructed to safeguard the water supply (Newsweek). The disaster, which killed at least five hundred people, caused his repudiation by allies, friends, and a previously adoring community. Epic in scope, Rivers in the Desert chronicles the history of Los Angeles and examines the tragic fate of the man who rescued it. &“An arresting biography of William Mulholland, the visionary Los Angeles Water Department engineer . . . [his] personal and public dramas make for gripping reading.&” —Publishers Weekly &“A fascinating look at the political maneuvering and engineering marvels that moved the City of Angels into the first rank of American cities.&” —BooklistVery few diaries of directors and senior managers of the Big Four railways have survived to enter the public domain.…
There are, however, two notable Southern Railway diarists whose records have been available in archives for some years, but have been largely ignored by historians; Southern Railway General Manager Gilbert Szlumper and Director Leopold Amery. Their remarkable diaries are addressed in this insightful book, which gives a slightly different view of the company in contrast to the almost sanitized histories by some writers.The surviving diaries of Szlumper are far from complete. They begin in 1936 and continue into the war years, but there are several gaps. Throughout, Szlumper comments on individuals and developments, revealing little-known facts and the circumstances that meant he could never truly achieve his potential. Formally retiring in 1942, he died in 1969, after which his diaries entered the public domain.Leopold Amery was director of the Southern Railway from 1932. A Birmingham Member of Parliament for many years, he was a statesman of some stature, his high offices including Secretary of State for the Colonies in the 1920s. In his autobiography, Amery writes very little on the railway, although he does comment on its family atmosphere. His diaries, which are in the public domain in a Cambridge University archive, have been published in two volumes but Amerys fascinating business activities were omitted by the publisher, and like Szlumper he comments on individuals and developments.The diary information of these two exceptional men has been supplemented by information from the railway, state archives and other sources, and many of the photographs have never been published before.By John Gorman. 2002
The Northern Ireland politician and British Army veteran chronicles his storied life in this memoir.After serving in the Irish Guards…
in northwest Europe (where he won a legendary MC for ramming a King Tiger tank), John Gorman’s career included being Head of Security with BOAC, and closely involved with Royal visits. Later he was Europe’s largest landlord running the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. before entering politics and becoming Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Sir John Gorman exudes relaxed charm, humour and impeccable style. This book mirrors all these enviable characteristics and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read.By Alan Bristow, Patrick Malone. 2009
&“You could be forgiven for taking Bristow&’s story as the invention of an action thriller writer . . . One of the…
best flying books you&’ll ever read.&” —Pilot Magazine Alan Bristow was a truly remarkable man. As a merchant navy officer cadet during the war, he survived two sinkings, played a part in the evacuation of Rangoon and was credited with shooting down two Stukas in North Africa. He joined the Fleet Air Arm and trained as one of the first British helicopter pilots, becoming the first man to land a helicopter on a battleship and Westland&’s first helicopter test pilot. He flew in France, Holland, Algeria, Senegal and elsewhere, narrowly escaping many helicopter crashes before winning the Croix de Guerre evacuating wounded French soldiers in Indochina. For four years he flew for Aristotle Onassis&’s pirate whaling fleet in Antarctica before joining Douglas Bader and providing support services to oil drillers in the Persian Gulf. Out of that grew Bristow Helicopters Ltd, the largest helicopter company in the world outside America. Bristow&’s circle included the great helicopter pioneers such as Igor Sikorsky and Stan Hiller, test pilots like Harold Penrose and Bill Waterton, Sheiks and Shahs and political leaders, business giants like Lord Cayzer and Freddie Laker, and the author James Clavell, a lifelong friend whose book Whirlwind was a fictionalized account of Bristow&’s overnight evacuation of his people and helicopters from revolutionary Iran. Bristow and precipitated the Westland Affair when he made a takeover bid which eventually led to the resignation of Michael Heseltine and Leon Brittain, and almost to the downfall of Margaret Thatcher.&“Has all the ingredients of a bestselling novel.&” —FiretrenchBy Anthony Burton. 2017
Most historians recognize the work of three engineers as being the men who developed the railways from slow, lumbering colliery…
lines into fast, inter-city routes. Two are very well known: Robert Stephenson and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The third was Joseph Locke, who should be recognized for having made a contribution just as great as that of the other two.The Locke family had been colliery managers and overseers for many generations and Joseph, once he had completed his very rudimentary education at Barnsley Grammar School at the age of thirteen, seemed set to follow in their footsteps. However, at the age of nineteen he was taken on as an apprentice by an old friend of his father, George Stephenson, and sent to the new locomotive works at Newcastle. His enthusiasm and willingness to learn soon brought promotion, and he became a highly valued assistant engineer on the prestigious Liverpool & Manchester Railway.During his time there he wrote a pamphlet with Robert Stephenson, arguing the case for steam locomotives and had the embarrassing task of having to correct calculations for a tunnel being built under the direct supervision of George Stephenson. After its opening, he moved on to work on the Grand Junction Railway, at the start working alongside Stephenson rather than as his assistant. But before long, they had quarrelled and the directors handed the whole works over to Lockes control. It was the turning point of his life.Locke was to continue as chief engineer on some of the most important lines in Britain, and his reputation grew to the point where he was also in demand for work in mainland Europe, building major routes in France, the Netherlands and Spain. He became a wealthy man, purchasing the manor of Honiton in Devon and sat in Parliament as the Liberal member for that constituency. He received many honors during his lifetime and died while on holiday at Scotland in 1860 at the age of fifty-five.By Janet Wallach. 2012
By Carlos Velázquez Mayoral. 2022
IF YOU WEAR BIG SHOES, YOUR FEET WILL GROW. Secrets & Dreams tells the story of Alejandro Zozaya, a Mexican…
hotelier that built an empire and saved Mexico’s tourism industry more than once. Carlos Velázquez Mayoral, renowned business and travel journalist, sat down with this amazing businessman, who shared his life story through in-depth interviews. Hyatt offered Zozaya 2.7 billion dollars to acquire Apple Leisure Group, the most visited hotel chain by Americans in Mexico, whose success lies in its operator, AMResorts, and brands such as Secrets and Dreams. Its luxury all-inclusive business model has proven to be resilient during crises and has been implemented in important beach destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Spain. Alejandro’s story, however, started when his family lost their house in the 1985 earthquake that devasted Mexico City. This caused him to turn a backpacking trip across Europe into an economic opportunity: He started working at Grupo Posadas, where he discovered his passion for the restaurant and hotel industry and worked his way up from dishwasher and housekeeper to top executive. Alejandro understood the power of creating and managing demand, developing a strategic business platform, and influencing the economy. This has propelled him as a key player and opinion leader during the last crises that have affected the industry, including the AH1N1 flu and COVID-19 pandemics, proposing recovery strategies and encouraging collaboration between business owners. In this book, Carlos Velázquez writing brings to life Alejandro’s knowledge and insights, useful to young entrepreneurs everywhere.By Kristi Coulter. 2023
A candid, intensely funny memoir of ambition, gender, and a grueling decade inside Amazon.com, from the author of Nothing Good…
Can Come from This."A unique and brilliant book." —Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand WeeksWhat would you sacrifice for your career? All your free time? Your sense of self-worth? Your sanity?In 2006, Kristi Coulter left her cozy but dull job for a promising new position at the fast-growing Amazon.com, but she never expected the soul-crushing pressure that would come with it.In no time she found the challenge and excitement she'd been craving—along with seven-day workweeks, lifeboat exercises, widespread burnout, and a culture driven largely by fear. But the chase, the visibility, and, let's face it, the stock options proved intoxicating, and so, for twelve years, she stayed—until she no longer recognized the face in the mirror or the mission she'd signed up for.Unsparing, absurd, and wickedly funny, Exit Interview is a rare journey inside the crucible that is Amazon. It is an intimate, surprisingly relatable look at the work life of a driven woman in a world that loves the idea of female ambition but balks at the reality.By Lisa Leonard. 2023
Women today feel pressure to be the best wife, mom, and professional possible--often at the expense of their own identity.…
But what if you could experience deep peace--knowing you are loved right now, just as you are? In Brave Love, the founder of the multimillion-dollar company Lisa Leonard Designs inspires women to find themselves again amidst the noise and competing demands of real life.This paperback edition includes a new foreword written by Stephen Leonard, exclusive discussion questions for personal reflection, and a Q&A between Lisa and Steve.Brave Love is about what it means to be human, how it feels to be broken and afraid, and what happens when we dare to love deeply. Join Lisa on a journey where you will discover you are worthy and lovable just as you are. You don't have to try harder or be better. You don't have to prove yourself, and you don't have to make others okay. In this freedom you will find more peace and more joy. Most importantly, you will learn that as you stop trying to be everything to everyone, you will love others better.Lisa Leonard shares her story of finding truth and wholeness in the midst of life's competing demands. When she said her marriage vows, she was determined to be the best wife she could be. When her first son was born with a severe disability, Lisa promised herself she would always be the mother he needed. When she began her jewelry business, Lisa committed to giving it her all.Over the years, the exhaustion of trying to be the perfect wife, mother, and businesswoman took its toll. Lisa knew it wasn't working. She wanted to change things, but how? Everyone depended on her. So she kept going, kept pushing, kept trying to prove she could do it all. Until one evening, in tears and desperation, Lisa realized that she could no longer be everything to everyone. Somewhere along the way, she had lost herself.In Brave Love, Lisa shares her story of losing--and finding--her own voice in the clamor of family, career, and internal pressure to prove herself.By Larry H. Miller, Doug Robinson. 2010
Seven months before Larry Miller passed away, he began working with Deseret News writer, Doug Robinson, on his autobiography. It…
covers his early life, his legendary rise in the car business, his ownership of the Utah Jazz, as well as his other ventures as an entrepreneur and humanitarian. The book also contains a thoughtful section on lessons learned along the way&“A propulsive narrative filled with boldfaced names from business and politics. At times, it is a dishy score settler.&”—The New…
York Times For nine years, Rajat Gupta led McKinsey & Co.—the first foreign-born person to head the world&’s most influential management consultancy. He was also the driving force behind major initiatives such as the Indian School of Business and the Public Health Foundation of India. A globally respected figure, he sat on the boards of distinguished philanthropic institutions such as the Gates Foundation and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and corporations, including Goldman Sachs, American Airlines, and Procter & Gamble. In 2011, to the shock of the international business community, Gupta was arrested and charged with insider trading. Against the backdrop of public rage and recrimination that followed the financial crisis, he was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail. Throughout his trial and imprisonment, Gupta has fought the charges and maintains his innocence to this day. In these pages, Gupta recalls his unlikely rise from orphan to immigrant to international icon as well as his dramatic fall from grace. He writes movingly about his childhood losses, reflects on the challenges he faced as a student and young executive in the United States, and offers a rare inside glimpse into the elite and secretive culture of McKinsey, &“the Firm.&” And for the first time, he tells his side of the story in the scandal that destroyed his career and reputation. Candid, compelling, and poignant, Gupta&’s memoir is much more than a courtroom drama; it is an extraordinary tale of human resilience and personal growth.A memoir by the legendary television executive detailing his pioneering work on Saturday Night Live, Sunday Night Football, the Olympics,…
the NBA, music videos, late night, and more.Think of an important moment in live TV over the last half-century. Dick Ebersol was likely involved. Dropping out of college to join the crew of ABC&’s Wide World of Sports, Ebersol worked the Mexico City Olympics during the famous protest by John Carlos and Tommie Smith as well as the Munich Olympics during the tragic hostage standoff. He went on to cocreate Saturday Night Live with Lorne Michaels and later produced the show for four seasons, helping launch Eddie Murphy to stardom. After creating Friday Night Videos and partnering with Vince McMahon to bring professional wrestling to network TV, he next took over NBC Sports, which helped turn basketball into a global phenomenon and made history as the first broadcaster to host the World Series, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, and the Summer Olympics in the same year; it was Ebersol who was responsible for Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta. Then, following a plane crash that took the life of his fourteen-year-old son Teddy and nearly killed him, he determinedly undertook perhaps his greatest career achievement: creating NBC&’s Sunday Night Football, still the #1 primetime show in America. The Today show&’s headline-making hosting changes, the so-called &“Late-Night Wars,&” O.J. Simpson&’s Bronco chase—Ebersol had a front-row seat to it all. From Saturday Night to Sunday Night is filled with entertaining and illuminating stories featuring such boldface names as Billy Crystal, Michael Jordan, Bill Clinton, Jay Leno, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps, and Larry David. (Ebersol even inspired the famous Seinfeld episode in which George Costanza pretends he didn&’t quit his job.) More than that, the book offers an insightful history and analysis of TV&’s evolution from broadcast to cable and beyond—a must-read for casual binge-watchers and small-screen aficionados alike.By Michael Wolff. 2023
THE BOOK THAT BROUGHT DOWN RUPERT MURDOCHMeet the Murdochs and the disastrously dysfunctional family of Fox News. Until recently, they…
formed the most powerful media and political force in America. Now their empire is cracking up and crashing down. In his irresistible trilogy on the chaotic Trump presidency - Fire and Fury, Siege, and Landslide - the journalist Michael Wolff led readers deep into the twisted corridors of the White House. Drawing on years of unprecedented access to the Murdoch family and key players, he plunges us behind the scenes of another empire of influence, and the result is astonishing and unforgettable. Here is Rupert Murdoch, the ninety-two-year-old billionaire - concerned about his legacy, but more concerned about profits. Here are his contentious children, jockeying to take over when the old man is gone. Here is star anchor Tucker Carlson considering a run for the presidency while his bosses have other plans for him. Sean Hannity, the richest man in television, has his own plans: to put Trump back in office. While presenter Laura Ingraham is just trying to survive in a man's world. As the fallout from the 2020 election and the Dominion lawsuit pummels the reputation of the network, the battling Murdoch heirs position themselves for the final act in this riveting drama."Michael Wolff's books were my foundation and port of entry for working on Succession." Jeremy Strong ("Kendall Roy")Praise for Fire and Fury:#1 New York Times bestseller, a Book of the Year in the Guardian, Sunday Times, Observer, Financial Times'The pages of Wolff's book are littered with insults and intrigue, backstabbing and dysfunction' Washington Post'What makes the book significant is its sly, hilarious portrait of a hollow man, into the black hole of whose needy, greedy ego the whole world has virtually vanished' GuardianBy Anthony R. Whitworth. 2023
A captivating and informative portrait of the business of maritime dry bulk shipping.According to the International Chamber of Shipping, a…
global trade organization representing 80 percent of the world&’s national shipowner organizations, 90 percent of world trade moves via the oceans—yet very few people know much about the maritime shipping industry. The Saltwater Highway aims to remedy that. Anthony Whitworth&’s travels and experiences throughout the world have given him a unique perspective on how goods move around the globe on the high seas. From the time he was a young voyage accountant in Fednav, one of Canada&’s largest maritime companies, Whitworth has been captivated by this fascinating, complex, multi-faceted industry. With close to five decades primarily in the dry bulk sector of global transport, Whitworth has seen the industry grow and change to meet the challenges of supplying the world with raw materials. From the great shipyards of Asia to the high-stakes finances of some of the largest corporations in the industry, to the ongoing efforts to combat climate change, The Saltwater Highway highlights Whitworth&’s career as it follows the evolution of modern maritime shipping. Based on personal experiences and an in-depth knowledge of how this invaluable trade works, travel along the Saltwater Highway to such far-flung places as the Arctic Circle, the upper regions of the River Plate, the shores of western Scotland, and various capital cities of the world including London, Moscow, and Beijing to meet some of the people who shaped this business and to discover how maritime transportation impacts our daily lives.By Anderson Cooper. 2023
The number one New York Times bestselling authors of Vanderbilt return with another riveting history of a legendary American family,…
the Astors, and how they built and lavished their fortune. The story of the Astors is a quintessentially American story—of ambition, invention, destruction, and reinvention. From 1783, when German immigrant John Jacob Astor first arrived in the United States, until 2009, when Brooke Astor's son, Anthony Marshall, was convicted of defrauding his elderly mother, the Astor name occupied a unique place in American society. The family fortune, first made by a beaver trapping business that grew into an empire, was then amplified by holdings in Manhattan real estate. Over the ensuing generations, Astors ruled Gilded Age New York society and inserted themselves into political and cultural life, but also suffered the most famous loss on the Titanic, one of many shocking and unexpected twists in the family's story. In this unconventional, page-turning historical biography, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe chronicle the lives of the Astors and explore what the Astor name has come to mean in America—offering a window onto the making of America itself. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobookA quintessential American dream story from a Mexican entrepreneur who shares the tale of building a multi-million-dollar business from scratch,…
complete with both success and failure, and always a vision of hope Leal came to the U.S. penniless as a teenager, speaking almost no English; he literally slept in the boiler room of a Wisconsin cheese factory for months before he was caught. Through hard work, grit, and ingenuity Leal would go on to launch his own business. He is widely credited with introducing Mexican cheeses to the U.S. market and grew his company to a multibillion-dollar success story. Yet, like many successful entrepreneurs, Leal’s great successes were matched by personal failures: the end of a marriage; trouble with law enforcement; and the deeply felt sense that there must be something more to life than great wealth. Leal’s memoir, THE HOUSE THAT CHEESE BUILT, is both a beautiful illustration of the immigrant experience—isolation, fear, and ambition for a better life and assimilation—as well as a thoughtful personal account of entrepreneurship and all its benefits and costs.By Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe. 2023
The number one New York Times bestselling authors of Vanderbilt return with another riveting history of a legendary American family,…
the Astors, and how they built and lavished their fortune. The story of the Astors is a quintessentially American story—of ambition, invention, destruction, and reinvention. From 1783, when German immigrant John Jacob Astor first arrived in the United States, until 2009, when Brooke Astor’s son, Anthony Marshall, was convicted of defrauding his elderly mother, the Astor name occupied a unique place in American society. The family fortune, first made by a beaver trapping business that grew into an empire, was then amplified by holdings in Manhattan real estate. Over the ensuing generations, Astors ruled Gilded Age New York society and inserted themselves into political and cultural life, but also suffered the most famous loss on the Titanic, one of many shocking and unexpected twists in the family’s story. In this unconventional, page-turning historical biography, featuring black-and-white and color photographs, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe chronicle the lives of the Astors and explore what the Astor name has come to mean in America—offering a window onto the making of America itself. New York Times BestsellerBy William Stadiem, Ronald Winston. 2023
This authoritative and intimate biography, written by his only living son, Ronald Winston, marries the Gilded Age glamour and romance…
of Edith Wharton with the ruthless family dynamics of HBO&’s hit series, Succession. Few American success stories rival that of Harry Winston. Born Harry Weinstein, he came from humble roots—his parents were poor Jewish immigrants who left Ukraine around 1890 for New York, where they settled and started a small jewelry business. His genius for spotting priceless gems emerged young. When Harry was twelve years old, he recognized a two-carat emerald in a pawn shop and bought it for 25 cents, selling it two days later for $800—a massive sum in the early 1900s. From that moment on, Harry became obsessed with gems, especially diamonds. A compact, unassuming man with no formal education, but unlimited drive and ambition, Harry Weinstein transformed himself into Harry Winston, the enigmatic figure who created the world&’s most prestigious luxury brand. Harry Winston built his empire while the Depression raged, World War II reshaped the world, and America entered its post-war period of prosperity. In this riveting biography, readers get a bird&’s eye view of the dangers of the diamond trade and the lengths men would go to get their hands on the best of the &“rough.&” There&’s also a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous, who clamored for Winston&’s gems. Although he traveled the world doing business with kings, queens, and movie stars, Winston remained a devoted family man, whose chief wish was that his sons carry on the legacy he had built. Harry&’s older son Ronald Winston worked alongside his father for decades. After Harry&’s death, Ron grew the company into the international brand that is still revered today. He ran it expertly, until he was forced to sell the company, due to his younger brother&’s maligning litigation. This is the story of a family business that survived and thrived for more than a century, until it was undone by one, bitter family member. KING OF DIAMONDS is at once a portrait of American ingenuity at its best, and the story of sibling rivalry that is Shakespearean in its tragedy.By Sheila Johnson. 2023
The cofounder of BET and first African American woman billionaire shares her deeply personal journey through love and loss, tragedy…
and triumph—an inspiring story of overcoming toxic influences, discovering her true self, and at last finding happiness in her work and life. From humble beginnings as a schoolgirl and young violinist in Maywood, Illinois, Sheila Johnson rose to become one of the most accomplished businesswomen in America. A cofounder of Black Entertainment Television, she became an entrepreneur and philanthropist at the highest levels. But that success came at a painful personal cost. Sheila grew up in a middle-class family that encouraged her love of the arts and music. But her idyllic childhood ended at age sixteen when her beloved father announced he was leaving for another woman, an act that shattered her mother and destroyed Sheila&’s trust. She vowed she&’d never be in her mother&’s position—dependent on a man for her sense of self-worth and for financial security. Yet when she was barely out of her teens, Sheila married a man who would take her right down that same unfortunate path. Filled with sharply drawn, emotionally powerful scenes, Walk Through Fire traces the hardships Sheila faced in her marriage and her professional life. Despite her skills as a violinist and music teacher, as well as her obvious entrepreneurial talent, she had to fight to overcome self-doubt and fears of failure. Sheila vividly details her struggles, including battling institutional racism, losing a child, suffering emotional abuse in her thirty-three-year marriage, and plunging into a deep depression with her divorce. And yet, out of that pain came renewed purpose and meaning. In the third act of her life, Sheila Johnson has not only made her mark as the founder of Salamander Hotels & Resorts and the only Black female co-owner of three professional sports teams, she has also, finally, found true love. Walk Through Fire is a uniquely American success story. And it is the deeply personal portrait of one woman who, despite heartache and obstacles, finally found herself and her place in the world.