Fiat: The Secrets of an Epoch

by Giorgio Garuzzo

This book is an authentic historical document, supported by extensive analytical information, in which former Fiat top manager Giorgio Garuzzo passionately recounts his experience within Fiat between 1976 and 1996. It is a narrative from the inside that sheds new light on events that have remained cloaked in mystery: the arrival and departure of Carlo De Benedetti, the “march of the forty thousand”, the sacking of Vittorio Ghidella, the clashes between Umberto Agnelli and Cesare Romiti, the Group’s involvement in the “clean hands” scandal, the role of Gianni Agnelli and his relationships with his brother and Cesare Romiti and the intervention of Mediobanca. Garuzzo discusses the issues connected with the range of cars and marques, touching on major themes of national or international relevance that were unrelated to Fiat but nonetheless conditioned its activities: terrorism and the unmanageability of the factories, inflation, the devaluation of the lira, the role of the trade unions and the General Confederation of Italian Industry, Japanese competition and European integration.

Genres: History

439 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 2012

Reviews

[Norbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molto interessante e senza fronzoli.

Una prospettiva "dall'interno" del gruppo FIAT

Peccato l'ebook sia migliorabile, senza un indice facilmente raggiungibile e con le note alla fine del capitolo invece che alla fine del volume, come secondo me, è meglio

[Richard Garnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fascinating

A must read for all Business owners big or small as the author describes how a huge company works but in language the small guy can understand

[Jeronimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In general terms I liked the book and, being one of my favorite topics the car industry and company history, I enjoyed learning a lot on Fiat Holding, which I hardly new little. The cursory path shown by the author was instructive, and on a personal perspective some of his experiences were inspiring too. In addition, all along the pages we meet several basic concepts on management and car industry, either production or marketing side, that enlighten us on why automakers take certain actions; same can be said on M&A passages. I believe to the author when he says he is proud of his work, and certainly agree is good from him to had shared his rich experience.

Notwithstanding above, it must also be said that the book is strongly tied to Mr. Garuzzo's views - he never hid it - and certain matters are not presented impartial but from that standpoint. In the light of these facts it also can be said, on the other hand, that the pages show us the blood in the eye of a man who was not treated as he deserved in the end. That bitter feeling is anticipated to the reader accross the several chapters yet without being a spoiler, since we all are supposed to know who the author is and what happened to him. As a matter of fact, I consider it a plus for the book to, somehow, comfort those who have gone through the dissappointing experience of having served to ungrateful or uncaring bosses. I will not walk the path of saying the counterpart are villains because I had not myself other reference, though I value most the way one can face those awkward moments, if you had the misfortune of going through them.