What do you think?
Rate this book
TATA vs MISTRY : The Battle for India's Greatest Business Empire
In December 2012, Ratan Tata, the legendary chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company that oversees the vast and sprawling Tata empire, retired at the age of seventy-five. After two decades at the helm he passed on the baton to young Cyrus Mistry, the scion of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the construction conglomerate instrumental in shaping the skyline of Mumbai. The Mistrys, who like the Tatas belong to the close-knit Parsi community, own 18 per cent of Tata Sons, second only to the charitable Tata Trusts. But in October 2016, Cyrus Mistry was sacked by the board of Tata Sons during a dramatic meeting at which his onetime mentor Ratan Tata was also present. Something had gone terribly wrong between the two. Based on extensive interviews and email correspondences of the key players, minutes of meetings and court records, this book by financial journalist Deepali Gupta reconstructs the events that led to and followed Mistrys removal. In the process, Gupta takes us behind the facade of the iconic Tata Sons and its intertwined history with the construction tycoons of the Mistry family. This is the sensational story of a battle that engulfed one of Indias most beloved and philanthropic business houses, with a cast of characters that spans the biggest names of corporate India.
- GenresNonfictionBusiness
272 pages, Hardcover
Published June 17, 2019
17 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 22, 2019
My views-
Frankly, i had next to zero knowledge about the whole episode, and when i say that the book was well researched, i mean it. Google can't give you such an insight about Tata and Mistry, as this book.
The author gathered a lot of information by mean of interviews, by referring to court and press releases.
The book is in a gray area, we can't conclude who won, but definately i got the insight of the problems they had and the legal matter they faced.
I believe the book's aim was to just clear out the picture for people, not to give a verdict. (obviously we can't).
The book is a neutral toned drawing of the whole analysis and made me wonder, was Tata afraid to lose his empire or Was Mistry really sacked?
Overall, a well researched and an interesting book. An eye opener.
Frankly, i had next to zero knowledge about the whole episode, and when i say that the book was well researched, i mean it. Google can't give you such an insight about Tata and Mistry, as this book.
The author gathered a lot of information by mean of interviews, by referring to court and press releases.
The book is in a gray area, we can't conclude who won, but definately i got the insight of the problems they had and the legal matter they faced.
I believe the book's aim was to just clear out the picture for people, not to give a verdict. (obviously we can't).
The book is a neutral toned drawing of the whole analysis and made me wonder, was Tata afraid to lose his empire or Was Mistry really sacked?
Overall, a well researched and an interesting book. An eye opener.
July 31, 2019
Tata vs Mistry is a book which doesn't only divulge into intimate details of the business transaction of the Tata & Mistry family but also explores many aspects of their private affairs and their interpersonal relationship. The book flows into a very smooth narration and is concerned with the immediate corporate governance of the business giant that the Tata Co is. The book is extremely reader-friendly as when I picked it up I wasn't sure if I will understand the fiduciary relationship and the economics involved but author Deepali Gupta has done a splendid job in explaining the family structure as well as the economic structure.
Tata vs Mistry is an extremely mind-boggling book which makes you gasp with the number of twists and turns involved, that you can't help but imagine how money makes ties sour basely purely on ethics.
Tata vs Mistry is an extremely mind-boggling book which makes you gasp with the number of twists and turns involved, that you can't help but imagine how money makes ties sour basely purely on ethics.
July 26, 2020
In case one reads the business news on a regular basis, one can skip the book as per me.
But if one hasn't kept themselves updated on the news about the Tata's vs Mistry saga, then one can get a consolidated information all together.
There is a little information in the book not available in public domain for sure but doesn't probably help in investment decision making.
I purchased to understand how it will impact my investment in Tata companies.
But if one hasn't kept themselves updated on the news about the Tata's vs Mistry saga, then one can get a consolidated information all together.
There is a little information in the book not available in public domain for sure but doesn't probably help in investment decision making.
I purchased to understand how it will impact my investment in Tata companies.
July 3, 2019
The book is an easy and informative read and gives you great insight into one of India's largest corporate houses. Nicely detailed and to the point.
July 6, 2019
Starts well, light read; not particularly insightful
July 1, 2020
While this book is strictly for those familiar with the boardroom battles between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry, and will likely not engage others, it's a comprehensive and pain-staking compilation of what transpired during that period.
Ratan Tata had chosen Cyrus Mistry to succeed him in December 2012 as the first non-Tata chairperson of the vast Tata conglomerate but fired him in October 2016, even before his first term was complete, due to a significant fall-out between them. This book covers the events leading to the fall-out and subsequent ones, leading eventually to the court cases, the coverage is comprehensive and in 20 succint chapters (although the chapter titles towards the end could have been a little less juvenile). Gupta is a financial journalist and her writing style, which is easy and fluid, is especially suited for the book.
Gupta has cast herself in the role of a narrator of facts and does not attempt to superimpose her own views on them -- given her profession, it is likely that she may not have wanted to be seen to take sides. Reading between the lines, this fight has been positioned as one between a professional who coldly evaluates the businesses (Mistry) and a Tata with an emotional connect to the brand who is probably driven by his individual passions too. The former is focused on immediate gains to minority shareholders while the latter cares about the long-term impact on the brand. It is tough to conclude who is right from the narrative, and that is probably Gupta's objective as well.
While picking up a book of this nature, one would expect some "insider" insights or even some credible gossip. That, sadly, is missing for the most part. So, for a reader like me, who was closely following the events, there is not much new to learn. But I would still give it 4 stars for the comprehensive coverage of events and I would recommend this book to any reader who has a basic familiarity with this saga but is unaware of the details.
Pros: Well-written, painstakingly compiled, a solid overview of this saga
Cons: No new information for one who had closely followed the events, will not engage a reader completely unfamiliar with them
PS: Please visit http://ananthabookreviews.blogspot.com for other book reviews.
Ratan Tata had chosen Cyrus Mistry to succeed him in December 2012 as the first non-Tata chairperson of the vast Tata conglomerate but fired him in October 2016, even before his first term was complete, due to a significant fall-out between them. This book covers the events leading to the fall-out and subsequent ones, leading eventually to the court cases, the coverage is comprehensive and in 20 succint chapters (although the chapter titles towards the end could have been a little less juvenile). Gupta is a financial journalist and her writing style, which is easy and fluid, is especially suited for the book.
Gupta has cast herself in the role of a narrator of facts and does not attempt to superimpose her own views on them -- given her profession, it is likely that she may not have wanted to be seen to take sides. Reading between the lines, this fight has been positioned as one between a professional who coldly evaluates the businesses (Mistry) and a Tata with an emotional connect to the brand who is probably driven by his individual passions too. The former is focused on immediate gains to minority shareholders while the latter cares about the long-term impact on the brand. It is tough to conclude who is right from the narrative, and that is probably Gupta's objective as well.
While picking up a book of this nature, one would expect some "insider" insights or even some credible gossip. That, sadly, is missing for the most part. So, for a reader like me, who was closely following the events, there is not much new to learn. But I would still give it 4 stars for the comprehensive coverage of events and I would recommend this book to any reader who has a basic familiarity with this saga but is unaware of the details.
Pros: Well-written, painstakingly compiled, a solid overview of this saga
Cons: No new information for one who had closely followed the events, will not engage a reader completely unfamiliar with them
PS: Please visit http://ananthabookreviews.blogspot.com for other book reviews.
February 25, 2021
This book has no narrative style at all and just presents facts without bothering to properly clarify much of the things. The technicalities, the stakes, and the different roles - none of these were explained and it felt like the author had kept rambling on. I had to breeze through pages just to finish it.
I don't know anything at all about the whole showdown and picked this book up in the hopes that it would clarify this uncharacteristic fight that happened at the Tata's. But I was probably better off not knowing anything at all rather than have read this.
I don't know anything at all about the whole showdown and picked this book up in the hopes that it would clarify this uncharacteristic fight that happened at the Tata's. But I was probably better off not knowing anything at all rather than have read this.
October 18, 2021
I was searching for a detailed on the boardroom battle between Cyrus and Mr Tata. This book has not done much justice to the topic as it doesn't talk about the intricacies. Much of what is written in the book is there in social media and I don't think the book is well researched.
However, it gives you a comprehensive and collective account of sequence of events that happened during the fiasco which will go down in history as one of the biggest boardroom battle.
However, it gives you a comprehensive and collective account of sequence of events that happened during the fiasco which will go down in history as one of the biggest boardroom battle.
January 26, 2020
Its a definite 4 star because of its writing which is quite intrigued and keep you interested in the stuff. Definitely a must read for finance and legal folks as there might be some terms that will be difficult for a layman to understand. But i am sure its gonna change the common man outlook about Tata's and its culture
April 20, 2020
A deep and thorough casework.
May 21, 2023
Just a Corporate politics and clash of interest ! No take always
January 13, 2020
A good read and reference book if someone wants to study Tata Vs Mistry fight. Many board room drama came to light and who has how much stake in whom was also interesting. Influence and Politics at highest corporate level was interesting to read. Not many of us are aware of board room functioning and the read could be really interesting from that point as well.
August 19, 2019
The millennial generation in India, of which I am a part, is well aware of the Tata Group. We consume everything, from cars to tea supplied to us by this business empire. Every Indian must have at least once used one of their products or services. And Tata does own a software company. This is one rare achievement by any business owner, not just in India but across the whole world. From Tata Steel to Tata Tea, the common man's life is touched by the Tata Group. Shapoorji Pallonji Group is well known in Mumbai and among the business people in the construction and real-estate sector. Although, in Kerala, where I am from, Tata is more of a household name than Mistry, apart from Rohinton Mistry, the novelist.
Ratan Naval Tata is the chairman emeritus of the Tata Group. Cyrus Mistry is the second son of Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, a legendary construction and real estate businessman. The story I am going to tell you revolves around these two personalities. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group is divided between the two sons of Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry. The group owns 18 per cent shares in Tata group. Naturally, Cyrus Mistry is in the director board of Tata Sons, the main company in the Tata Group. There is a lot of history of the growth of India's industrial and economic sector attached with these names.
In 2012, Cyrus Mistry was nominated as the new chairman of Tata Sons on the retirement of Ratan Tata. This retirement is also the tip of an iceberg. Deep-seated in this event lies the many changes that affected not just the Tata group but the Indian economy in general. After taking the post of the chairman though, the relationship between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry strained to an irreparable extent. The clash between these titans is a chapter that could keep you mulling over some serious multilayered discourses for the rest of your life. It will haunt you for certain. Here is a book that reveals it all in a highly readable, lucid, clear, and well-thought-out language.
for more from the review, please visit: https://anu-lal.blogspot.com/
Ratan Naval Tata is the chairman emeritus of the Tata Group. Cyrus Mistry is the second son of Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, a legendary construction and real estate businessman. The story I am going to tell you revolves around these two personalities. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group is divided between the two sons of Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry. The group owns 18 per cent shares in Tata group. Naturally, Cyrus Mistry is in the director board of Tata Sons, the main company in the Tata Group. There is a lot of history of the growth of India's industrial and economic sector attached with these names.
In 2012, Cyrus Mistry was nominated as the new chairman of Tata Sons on the retirement of Ratan Tata. This retirement is also the tip of an iceberg. Deep-seated in this event lies the many changes that affected not just the Tata group but the Indian economy in general. After taking the post of the chairman though, the relationship between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry strained to an irreparable extent. The clash between these titans is a chapter that could keep you mulling over some serious multilayered discourses for the rest of your life. It will haunt you for certain. Here is a book that reveals it all in a highly readable, lucid, clear, and well-thought-out language.
for more from the review, please visit: https://anu-lal.blogspot.com/
July 10, 2019
We are all aware of the high voltage unceremonious oust of Mistry as a chairman of Tata Sons and from the Tata group of companies. I was shocked, honestly, because I thought he was there till his retirement. And was following religiously the entire spat and wanted to know what transpired.
If you have a little knowledge about this Tata and Mistry tussle for power and want to get acquainted with the entire episode then definitely go for this book.
Deepali Gupta had conducted many interviews to gather the inside information, referred to various documents like press releases, court recordings, meeting minutes to fill in the gaps in the entire episode of Tata and Mistry row. She managed to draw a wholesome picture for us to imagine the boardroom spat and functioning, voting and power of shareholders.
But the book seriously lacks any new insights or some real solid analysis helping you to come to a conclusion, take you deep down to the roots of the problem. Obviously, without the inputs from the two lead protagonist it is not possible to dig any further.
Somehow I failed to draw any conclusions. Was Ratan Tata really finding it difficult to let go the reins of his corporate empire or it was really half hearted attempts by Cyrus Mistry to turn around the fortunes of many loss bearing companies in the Tata group?
Ultimately, you have to rely on court verdict. Judges know better than anyone else. It comes in detail at the end of the book.
Read more bookworld.in
If you have a little knowledge about this Tata and Mistry tussle for power and want to get acquainted with the entire episode then definitely go for this book.
Deepali Gupta had conducted many interviews to gather the inside information, referred to various documents like press releases, court recordings, meeting minutes to fill in the gaps in the entire episode of Tata and Mistry row. She managed to draw a wholesome picture for us to imagine the boardroom spat and functioning, voting and power of shareholders.
But the book seriously lacks any new insights or some real solid analysis helping you to come to a conclusion, take you deep down to the roots of the problem. Obviously, without the inputs from the two lead protagonist it is not possible to dig any further.
Somehow I failed to draw any conclusions. Was Ratan Tata really finding it difficult to let go the reins of his corporate empire or it was really half hearted attempts by Cyrus Mistry to turn around the fortunes of many loss bearing companies in the Tata group?
Ultimately, you have to rely on court verdict. Judges know better than anyone else. It comes in detail at the end of the book.
Read more bookworld.in
Read
August 16, 2019For an average Indian, to see an Indian company being a global power is a moment of pride. Little do they think about the inside stories and how tough it is to run the firm and moreover the fact that it could run into losses. Deepai Gupta, through her book Tata VS Mistry.
The book opens an new window of information about the much talked about legal battle between the two sharks in Indian economy. Mistry, though comparatively unknown to the laymen, came into limelight with the controversy. To write a book on this subject, the author must do extensive research, and thorough homework with an open and unbiased mind.
The unbiased approach of the author is the USP of the book. Not in a single instance does the author unduly supports any of the parties. Author has managed to have a testimony from both sides and analyse the situation. Author has portrayed each event like a fiction author puts forward a suspense thriller.
The climax is obvious as those who have followed the altercations already know what happened but to include a subtle suspense there also shows the finesse of the author.
The book opens an new window of information about the much talked about legal battle between the two sharks in Indian economy. Mistry, though comparatively unknown to the laymen, came into limelight with the controversy. To write a book on this subject, the author must do extensive research, and thorough homework with an open and unbiased mind.
The unbiased approach of the author is the USP of the book. Not in a single instance does the author unduly supports any of the parties. Author has managed to have a testimony from both sides and analyse the situation. Author has portrayed each event like a fiction author puts forward a suspense thriller.
The climax is obvious as those who have followed the altercations already know what happened but to include a subtle suspense there also shows the finesse of the author.
February 1, 2021
A really detailed and insightful book on the topic. It not only focusses just on the reasons but the author wonderfully dates the reasons back to where it first started. It gave an apt introduction of not only every (significant) character in the book but also of the companies involved in this public spat which turned out to be one of the biggest sh*tshow between an idealistic and sanctimonious person and a businessman with a great track record which unfortunately did not end the way I had expected and wanted.
Although I would have loved if more emphasis had been given on the TTSL which was one of the main reasons for Mistry's firing.
Although I would have loved if more emphasis had been given on the TTSL which was one of the main reasons for Mistry's firing.
October 1, 2019
A short and informative presentation of the public spat between a giant of industry and his temporary successor. While the book presents the facts in a concise bite, the lack of an analysis leaves the reader hungering for much more.
In the end, you may praise Ms. Gupta for attempting to present the story as neutrally as possible; you cannot however claim she seamlessly succeeded.
In the end, you may praise Ms. Gupta for attempting to present the story as neutrally as possible; you cannot however claim she seamlessly succeeded.
January 1, 2021
Felt like collection of news articles. Good effort in combing through thousands or court filings but missed the deep underlying motivations behind the actions that led Tata group to this debacle. Particularly liked the clarity on Tata sons vs Tata trusts vs Tata operating companies - never knew it was this complex. Mind boggling. Otherwise a breezy quick read.
July 3, 2019
Excellent read! The book captures in very intricate detail the inner workings of the largest corporate house in India and one of the most interesting corporate battles in recent times. Liked the way the author has managed to beautifully articulate her thoughts.
August 8, 2019
" When you come at the king, you best not miss".
The book was informative but the content was mostly taken from the public domain. The book would have been more complete if the author would have presented facts from Tata's side. Felt very Pro-Mistry. A lot of lazy writing.
The book was informative but the content was mostly taken from the public domain. The book would have been more complete if the author would have presented facts from Tata's side. Felt very Pro-Mistry. A lot of lazy writing.
June 28, 2019
Reduces my overall trust in the corporate structure and my investment s in the market even further.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews