Giants of Enterprise: Seven Business Innovators and the Empires They Built

by Richard S. Tedlow

Seven business innovators and the empires they built. The pre-eminent business historian of our time, Richard S. Tedlow, examines seven great CEOs who successfully managed cutting-edge technology and formed enduring corporate empires. With the depth and clarity of a master, Tedlow illuminates the minds, lives and strategies behind the legendary successes of our times: . George Eastman and his invention of the Kodak camera; . Thomas Watson of IBM; . Henry Ford and his automobile; . Charles Revson and his use of television advertising to drive massive sales for Revlon; . Robert N. Noyce, co-inventor of the integrated circuit and founder of Intel; . Andrew Carnegie and his steel empire; . Sam Walton and his unprecedented retail machine, Wal-Mart.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, History, Leadership, Biography, Entrepreneurship, Economics

512 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fascinating stories to me of business success against severe challenges. The individuals chosen exhibited similar drive, strengths and faults.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of biopics of seven of the greatest visionaries who transformed American industry and/or retail, these being Andrew Carnegie (steel magnate), George Eastman (Kodak), Henry Ford (Ford Motors), Thomas J Watson Senior (IBM), Charles Revson (Revlon), Sam Walton (Walmart) and Robert Noyce (Intel & inventor of the silicon chip). The author argues, quite convincingly, that most people 'march backward into the future' whereas these innovators either adapted to or created a whole new future, for example Revson and his use of the new medium of television to create a brand identity and loyalty or Eastman who set out to create a camera at a price that could be affordable to everyone and not just a select few, thus creating an enormous market for both the camera itself and for the follow-up developing services. I found these biopics interesting, informative and intriguing: the latter because many of these inventions or developments appeared to come as a result of coincidence, chance or at great risk, which may or may not have paid off - how different a world we would be in now if these visionaries had not seen their dreams come to fruition! 8.5/10

[Vanessa Neumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read more than half of it over Christmas, when I had time. I loved the perspective: 7 Americans who changed industries, and therefore America and then world. It's honest as to why it's all White men: they had the privileged access in those times and places. It examines their innovation as uniquely American and analyzes how their business decisions were reflections of their personal backgrounds. Very enlightening. It can be uneven in its style sometimes, especially as the author at the end tries to espouse a "the rich are different" perspective at the very end of the book, which makes it remarkably incongruous.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

At another time, I might finish this book, but right now it's just been good at putting me to sleep at night. I've only gotten 8% in, but it seems to be swimming in too many details and lacks a cohesive format that delivers a clear message to the reader. The first part talks about Andrew Carnegie and has some interesting information about his early life and rise to wealth, but it also kept comparing him to another man (can't remember who and couldn't find it) before I had any background on either man. It served to confuse and bore me early on. Like I said, this really might be worth a read, but it didn't draw me in enough to spend more time on it.

[CarlyKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting read. Sheds light on Tota.software the businesses world. .

Good. I guess I would recommend to others. Pretty interesting history of some of the USAs most influential people ever.

[Leticia Salomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Giants of Enterprise" by Richard S. Tedlow delves into the lives of seven influential business leaders, including Andrew Carnegie and Sam Walton, exploring how they built their corporate empires. The book offers insightful narratives about their strategies and challenges, providing valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. While some readers find it dense, many appreciate its depth and historical context.

[Liliana Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Giants of Enterprise* by Richard S. Tedlow is a fascinating deep dive into the lives and strategies of seven legendary business leaders who shaped entire industries. From George Eastman revolutionizing photography with Kodak to Sam Walton redefining retail with Walmart, Tedlow masterfully unpacks how these innovators harnessed cutting-edge technology and built lasting corporate empires. A must-read for entrepreneurs, business enthusiasts, and history buffs alike.

[Ross Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Richard does a great job threading a difficult needle of summarizing long complex lives and motives from various people in different eras with a relatable and ethical lense. Particularly around commentary of wealth causing derangement and what it means to be good vs great. Can’t wait to read the rest of what Richard has to offer.

[Ben Russell]

It's like 8 good, balanced biographies bookended by some drivel about equality.

Especially enjoyed reading about NCR's illegal sales practices and how the escaped most of the criminal penalties for it via "ehh they *did* save the town from the great flood, and anyways they don't even work at NCR anymore... So yknow just don't do it again"

[Suditi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing about the book is that it doesn't overly glorify or present the innovators as heroes.

Their mistakes and flaws are highlighted and they are inherently presented as imperfect beings and it is left to the readers to decide whether they want to idolize them or not.

[David Liu · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good overview of the life of a group outstanding entrepreneurs.

[Rohit N · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a mixed bag biopic. Some stories were researched well and had a great narrative, some went haywire. I'd not consider this as essential reading.

[Akita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful.

[Kiki Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! 😁

[Davied Lubinson]

@kindle

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you've never red a business history book and don't know anything about guys like Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, Sam Walton, Thomas Watson, etc., then this might be OK to get start. But if you are familiar with them, then you've won't learn much here.

I read to learn more about the careers of George Eastman, Carles Revson, and Robert Noyce. But there are better, more detailed books out there on these businessmen.

A survey, mainly.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book because I was interested in the topic - learning about the most successful people in business over the last approx. 100 years. The writing and the way the book was organized was average.

[Jonathan Mah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about the seven influential business figures presented in this book. Especially some of the figures you don't hear much about. Most know of Ford and Carnegie, but fewer know of Revson and Noyce. Nothing amazing, but well written and well done.

[Stefania Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning how Ford and Rockefeller got their start is interesting, even if you think you’ve heard it all before. This profiles innovators in the late 19th century to show how their brilliant minds would still stack up today. Creativity and leadership never goes out of style.

[Otis Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring profiles of 7 great businessmen: Andrew Carnegie, Thomas J. Watson, George Eastman, Robert Noyce, Charles Revson, Sam Walton, and Henry Ford. The author is an HBS professor.

[Luke Kanies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for perspective, but not truly informative. Somehow a gripping read, though, for non-fiction.

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book on entrepreneurial success stories for the knowledge worker or aspiring entrepreneur.

[Mansour Alshammari · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think this book basically its talk about management and how deal with ,and im still reading it

[Alex Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful little stories about early 1900's business giants. Tedlow is a little turgid.

[Edikan Udoh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing informs more than history. When history is brought together under a focus, as Richard Tedlow does with this work of art, value expectation can never be too high. It's well crafted.

[Tirath · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please don't read it.
A complete waste of time for a serious reader.

It's written more like a text book for school kids.
A poorly executed book.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tedlow seemed to go of on random tangents that were often wholly unnecessary and distracting.