Book Description
Like many of his generation, Bill Bryson backpacked across Europe in the early seventies -- in search of enlightenment, beer, and women. Twenty years later he decided to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth. The result is Neither Here Nor There, an affectionate and riotously funny pilgrimage from the frozen wastes of Scandinavia to the chaotic tumult of Istanbul, with stops along the way in Europe's most diverting and historic locales. Like many of his generation, Bill Bryson backpacked across Europe in the early seventies--in search of enlightenment, beer, and women. Twenty years later he decided to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth. The result is Neither Here Nor There, an affectionate and riotously funny pilgrimage from the frozen wastes of Scandinavia to the chaotic tumult of Istanbul, with stops along the way in Europe's most diverting and historic locales.
Customer Reviews:
Great way to travel- just read about it.......2007-10-15
This is my third Bryson book, and so far so good. The AT book was a bit better, and the Short History was a bit broader, but so far they all follow a simple but successful format. Bryson goes somewhere, observes and then writes about it. The writing is not usually laugh out loud funny, but it has enough funny moments and humorous observations that when these are combined with the interesting facts tossed out by Bryson that you end up feeling that you got your money's worth.
Neither Here nor There starts with his second (major) trip to mainland Europe (he lived in semi-Europe, that is, England, for seventeen years) and he starts with an epic bus trip to view the northern lights in the Nome of Norway. At least I think it was Norway, it was some non-descript Scandinavian country. In any case he captures well the feeling of being on the edge of nowhere in a community so bland it makes your last Young Republican rally seem like the Watts riots. He alternates between being wryly bemused and clinically depressed, but weaves it all together when he finally does get to see the lights, in all their glory.
The wry bemusement versus clinical depression seems to be a common theme of the book, if not his life, and it helps you kind of root for him as he goes gallivanting like a trust fund baby through all of Europe. Italy, Germany, Yugoslavia, Belgium, even Liechtenstein- he doesn't miss much. I think Spain and Greece got bypassed somehow, but pretty much everywhere else he hit. Even a brief hangout time at pre-war Bosnia, a bit surreal.
I really don't find any great weakness in the book, other than there is no traveling partner of any kind to give dimension. Some of the better bits are his reminisces, if they can be called that, of his earlier trip with his friend Katz. Katz is a character, to say the least, with all the in-your-face-humanity of a Homer Simpson without the FCC to keep him in check. He should've tried to get old Katz out of by-gosh Iowa for one more trek of the Old Country. We do get to run into him again in the Appalachians in another Bryson book, but Europe would've benefited by him, too, in my opinion.
I've only ever been to Austria (which he slams a bit) and Switzerland which he also slams a bit, but from my limited experience his observations seemed to be at least in the ballpark. Switzerland is very expensive (sehr teuer) and Austria is full of Austrians and both are full of beautiful mountains. And if you don't like German it doesn't matter- everybody speaks English, most likely as well as you do.
Very funny, but missing the "fun".......2007-09-24
Bill Bryson's humor is, as always, top-flight. One reviewer mentioned a series of jokes that he found "tiring" ... personally I found the caricatures very funny. Of course Bryson's comments are generalizations, many of them over-generalizations for humor's sake, many of them are grossly inaccurate I am sure. But the reality is that we *all* generalize, and while I understand the European point of view, I would ask the critics of this book who cry xenophobia to think about all of the over-generalizations Europeans have of America and Americans. But hey, we're all entitled to our own opinion, and humor perhaps more than anything is something that is lost in translation. I don't think the European audience is the one Bryson is targeting anyway, and I'm sure there exist many books in Europe that lampoon America to a degree that most Americans would similarly take offense at. C'est la vie.
While the humor itself rates 5 stars, the "travel" part is 3~4 stars at best. I do agree with the critics that note Bryson's somewhat formulaic style becomes a little weary after a while, and aside from the funny stories and interludes, Bryson's travels are actually on the dull side. In many ways, it felt like a sequel that was a watered down version of the original--I wondered if Bryson wouldn't have been better off writing about just his *original* youthful travels around Europe with Katz instead of this version we had--Europe: Part Deux. Bryson himself seemed to lose interest in his own travels around Italy, and often it felt like he was more interested to leave the last town than to enter the next one. By Istanbul, Bryson was clearly just going through the motions. Bryson's general lack of attachment to these places keeps the reader at arm's length as well.
In the end, I think the reader's opinion of this book will depend on how the humor is received. If you don't find it funny, this book will be a miserable read. For me, and I believe most people, the humor is hilarious enough and the flashbacks are interesting enough to carry the reader's interest from beginning to end. Still, I agree with those who say it does not match the level of Bryson's other works. The style remains but this book is missing a bit of the soul that makes Bryson's works such interesting and entertaining reads.
A gem for travelers, or travel-wannabes.......2007-06-27
It helps to already be a Bryson fan, but if you are new to the joys of reading his books, settle in, and enjoy. Bryson has been an outsider himself, having lived in England for many years. He moved back to the USA after two decades, tried it for a while, and moved back to England. He knows about being a stranger in a strange land. When he makes observation on the eccentricities, endearing qualities, advantages, and frustrating foibles of the places he visits (including those in the USA), he does it with humor, intelligence, a satirical bent, a very precise eye,insight--and did I say, humor? You will laugh out loud at least once. The paperback is inexpensive, the enjoyment immense.
The perenially likeable Bryson does it again.......2007-06-03
An account of the author's rambles across Europe. Bryson is always entertaining, and his writing alternates from downright hilarious to the point of absurdity to dealing with some very sobering statistics. This is a wonderful mix and he's a very gifted writer whose works sound like a really great story you once heard from a friend.
Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe.......2007-06-01
Having been in a few places in Europe, I can relate to what Bill Bryson is talking about. But if I had never been, I still could relate. His humour, the way he has of connecting past musings with his present surroundings is skillful and funny. I sit by myself and giggle at the way he takes a thought and stretches it like PlaDoh into a ridiculous mental play with him playing the star fool. He does not spare himself and he does not disappoint. We are entirely there with him. A wonderful read.
Book Description
Bryson brings his unique brand of humour to travel writing as he shoulders his backpack, keeps a tight hold on his wallet and heads for Europe. Travelling with Stephen Katz--also his wonderful sidekick in A Walk in the Woods--he wanders from Hammerfest in the far north, to Istanbul on the cusp of Asia. As he makes his way round this incredibly varied continent, he retraces his travels as a student twenty years before with caustic hilarity.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Neither Here Nor There
Bill Bryson
Manufacturer: Corgi Audio
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ASIN: 0552147133 |
Book Description
14 million Megatrends books sold!
Once in a great while a book comes along that challenges conventional wisdom and opens the floodgates to the future. Megatrends 2010's blend of meaning, morals and bottom-line economics celebrates the demise of Business as Usual and the birth of Conscious Capitalism.
In Megatrends 2010, Patricia Aburdene, co-author of the bestselling Megatrends 2000, investigates corporate social responsibility and identifies seven megatrends that will redefine business in the coming years.
Megatrends 2010:
Explains why firms like Timberland, Wainwright Bank, 3M, Chiquita Brands, Motorola, Intel and others are taking a stand for corporate social responsibility Shows that more than 63 million Conscious Consumers prefer to buy from companies who share or reflect their values and lifestyle Describes the surprising power of conscious techniques to enhance productivity Shows that socially responsible and green funds often outperform mainstream mutual funds Explores the New Economy of Consciousness and the quest for ethics in business within the legal confines of modern capitalism
Aburdene demonstrates that significant numbers of both new-economy and old-guard companies are tapping into the wave of conscious capitalism to clean up the corporate image, save the environment, help the less fortunate—and boost the bottom line.
Customer Reviews:
A top pick any business and public lending library must have........2007-09-02
Both MEGATRENDS and MEGATRENDS 2000 were top bestsellers predicting shifts key to economic and business worlds alike: now MEGATRENDS 2010 documents the rise of 'conscious capitalism' and what corporate responsibility means to business trends and activities. Any business library or businessman interested in corporate change will appreciate the data and insights documenting corporate scandals and ethics transition points being fostered by grassroots efforts and managers. A top pick any business and public lending library must have.
Enterprise in an Integral Age.......2007-08-24
Being a futurist myself, I have enjoyed all the 'Megatrends' books. I am heartened to see that the trends Patricia Aburdene reported on have not gone unnoticed. She demonstrates powerfully that businesses are comprised of living human beings who have significant impact on our collective future. This is a far cry from the Cogs-in-machine image of the past. These trends indicate that perhaps business rather than being solely an outlet for human greed, may shape the future of human communities as much or more than religion or politics. Three cheers for Patricia for moving the dialogue forward and leading with hope for a better future.
Megatrends 2010: The Rise of Conscious Capitalism.......2007-07-16
In the past, there has been a well defined line between those who wanted to make money in industry and those interested in the spiritual, cultural, and environmental future of our world. Megatrends 2010: The Rise of Conscious Capitalism states that this division is becoming more and more blurred. In fact, a new trend is growing in business. This new development is blending industry with spiritual, cultural, and environmental awareness to create Conscious Capitalism.
As I read this book, I wasn't sure whether I should applaud Conscious Capitalism or whether I should be appalled. I could see that in some cases, this new practice was beneficial. Employers were looking at ways to improve the lives of employees and trying to make strides to connect with the modern consumer's needs. Some of the companies described were also thoughtfully examining how their products added to the wealth of our future. However, I can see how Conscious Capitalism could easily become a strategy used as a promotional method but not actually practiced by these businesses. In these cases, consumers, employees, and our children would be the losers.
More missionary zeal than hard facts.......2007-03-01
As other reviewers pointed out, Aburdene argues that the 21st century will be transformed by ecological awareness, spirituality and other positive trends.
First, the author fails to see contradictions among those trends. One person's spiritual belief (e.g., only marriages count as meaningful relationships) conflicts with someone else's (e.g., relationships with partners, dogs and friends can be meaningful). No problem until these beliefs get translated into benefits and norms, i.e., "Your family celebration doesn't count."
Second, the widespread discussion of "spirituality" can lead to shallow interpretations. I don't always agree with Carolyn Myss, an example of New Age spirituality. But I have to respect her. She walks the talk. She studied. She doesn't promise easy answers and in fact she warns that being spiritual is very hard.
In contrast, I once attended a bookstore talk where the leader asked everyone, "Raise your hand if you are on a spiritual path." Gimme a break.
I've also heard spirituality defined as attracting what you want, including money, love, and beauty.
Third, the book ignores a counter-trend, the rise in books about atheism and a backlash against organized religion. My career clients aren't reporting a great wave of love and humanity in their working worlds.
The book also ignores other trends, such as the shrinking world, the increased access to information and choice, and the kinds of trends described in The Long Tail.
But my biggest complaint is the author's obvious enthusiasm and support for these trends. Earlier megatrends books seemed more impartial and objective. There's nothing wrong with enthusiastically embracing ideas, but I like books that let you know up front whether you're dealing with argument or analysis. It's especially frustrating to expect the latter and get the former.
Transforming the Capital in "Capitalism" is the answer.......2007-02-12
I give it four star for bringing much hope amid all desperations and dysfunctions of global capitalism we are witnessing today. Identifying the trends is one way to shift the energy and resources from the treadmill of insane greed and suicidal profit making by the War making military-intelligence-corporate-media-thinktank-banking complex. Yet the true Conscious Capitalism will address deeper systemic problems arising out of and inherent in the faulty structure of financial system we are all unconsciously participating in. Search "Transforming Money" at Yahoo or google to educate yourself and others about the systemic design problems of capitalism.
Book Description
This wise and optimistic book examines the rampant scandals that plague American corporations today and shows how companies can reverse the resulting climate of mistrust. By seizing the opportunity to address some of the nation’s—and the world’s—most serious problems, business can strengthen its reputation for integrity and service and advance to a new stage of ethical legitimacy. Daniel Yankelovich, a social scientist and an experienced member of the corporate boardroom, describes the toxic convergence of cultural and business trends that has led inexorably to corporate scandals. Yet he offers reassurance that opportunity exists for positive change. Creative business leaders can advance market capitalism to its next stage of evolution, building upon business norms that simultaneously emphasize the legitimacy of profit making and the importance of the care that companies give to employees, customers, and the larger society.
The book asserts that American culture has abandoned its old tradition of enlightened self-interest, of “doing well by doing good.” A narrow legalism has taken over (“I didn’t break the law; therefore I didn’t do anything wrong”). Yankelovich argues that attempts to deal with such flawed ethical norms by means of more laws and regulations cannot succeed. He offers a series of case histories to show how and why stewardship ethics can strengthen individuals, corporations, the nation, and the world economy.
Customer Reviews:
Lots of Stimulating Thought in a Small Book.......2007-08-09
Daniel Yankelovich is a social scientist who has also served on several corporate boards. That gives him a unique perspective on the ethical challenges that face board members.
Yankelovich, to use his term, is a "privileged witness," who sees business from the outside, but has seen its inner workings up close. Even more important in some ways is the fact that he and his company have been among the firms tracking changes in society over several decades.
Here is why he wrote this book: "The purpose of this short book is to suggest that the business community can turn the scandals of recent years to good use, both for business itself and for the larger society."
Yankelovich sees three causes for these scandals. They are: 1) deregulation; 2) linking the biggest part of CEO compensation to stock price; and, 3) the importing of wider social norms into business, resulting in what he calls "unenlightened self-interest."
In the first half of the book he outlines changes in social norms in both business in society over several decades. Business, according to Yankelovich is more likely establish the norms he desires than society as a whole. And, he thinks, if business does so it will "help dispel moral confusion in the culture at large."
He says: "My main argument in the book is that the time has come for market capitalism in the United States to advance to a new stage of enlightened self-interest."
To do that he advocates something he calls "Stewardship Ethics," which he defines as "commitment to care for one's institution and those it serves in a manner that responds to a higher level of expectations." He devotes the second half of the book to describing what a set of norms based on "stewardship ethics" might look like and how they might come about.
In one of the most helpful sections of the book, Yankelovich spends time outlining the difference between his Stewardship Ethics and the bundle of beliefs and positions that come under the heading of "Corporate Social Responsibility."
If you're like me, you'll find Yankelovich's position a refreshing change from the "profit is evil" approach of most CSR types. If you are someone who sees the pursuit of profit by companies as, at best, a necessary evil, you will be very uncomfortable with this book and its ideas.
This book has two key strengths. First, Yankelovich himself is both knowledgeable and logical. Second, the book is short, only around 170 pages of text. Those are also the book's weaknesses.
Because Yankelovich himself is knowledgeable, he often leaves terms undefined. I could not find a definition, for example, of one of his key terms, "market capitalism." It may be that everyone indeed defines that term the same way, but I doubt it.
The shortness of the book means that some arguments are made without adequate support. For example, on page 96, Yankelovich says, "How well a company conceives and executes stewardship ethics as a community has a direct bearing on its long term profitability." He then offers the example of Wegman's as proof. Alas, a single example without supporting evidence is not proof.
This brings us to the key question: "Should you buy and read this book?"
If you are a senior executive, a member of a corporate board, or a faculty member at a business school, this should be on your "must-read" list. Yankelovich has crammed a lot of good stuff and cogent analysis in here about the business climate and corporate responses.
This book is also a good read if you're interested in the ethical challenges of contemporary business, but you don't make it your primary focus. If you're a professional ethicist or philosopher, you'll find the book a little light on both reasoning and support, but that's exactly why it's a good read for the rest of us. The book is filled with provocative ideas and well written.
But if you're looking for a "how to" book, this would be a poor choice. It's a great book for stimulating thought and discussion, but the "how to" will be up to you.
Must Reading For Any Current Or Future CEO And Business Leader.......2007-07-09
This is a book I wish I had written. I have talked at length over the past few years about what is wrong with today's capitalist economy and particularly so since the Enron, Tyco, WorldCom, and other corporate scandals. However, I am and always have been a committed supporter of a free-market economy with minimal government interference. In the late 1950s (while very young!) I embraced Ayn Rand's "laissez-faire" theory of business, only to be later disturbed by some of the unwarranted and seriously problematic assumptions one had to make in order to completely buy into her "doctrine" of extreme individualism and "caveat emptor" economics. While I recognized that neither Communism (ala Marx) nor state socialism could bring about a dynamic market economy combined with political liberty, there was, I thought, definitely something missing in the theory and practice of a free-market economy as Rand and her coterie envisioned and promoted it. Moreover, the so-called "mixed economy" (which is what the U.S. pretty much has now -- a mixture of free-market and "socialist" elements) has not prevented the scandals recently experienced.
Enter Daniel Yankelovich with his new book "Profit With Honor: The New Stage of Market Capitalism." In my opinion, on the Aristotelian scale of ethical virtue, his book represents the "mean" between the extremes of a dog-eat-dog capitalism with profit as the "only" consideration and the position that profit is evil, private enterprise is antisocial and, therefore, a centrally-planned government-run economy is the only acceptable solution. Economic activity is, of course, not fundamentally different from any other human activity, whether it be individual, social, political, or whatever. There has to be some moral foundation, some ethical framework, which justifies and provides a rational structure for the activity. Neither of the aforementioned extremes can provide the necessary theoretical support nor the practical guidelines for an economic system which must take into consideration human nature and the human condition.
In his book, Yankelovich states that his "main argument . . . is that the time has come for market capitalism . . . to advance to a new stage of enlightened self-interest. American business needs to develop a new ethic -- a coherent set of social norms -- both to counteract the forces leading to the scandals and to meet the challenges of the global economy that call upon business to take on many new responsibilities." He calls his program (if that is the appropriate term) a "stewardship ethics," a set of cultural norms for business which involves social responsibility without rejecting the concepts of profit and self-interest. This is, for the most part, my position on the issue. The philosophical enemies of market capitalism have had plenty of ammunition provided to them in recent years by some of those -- dare I say "crooks"? -- who are involved in market capitalism itself. Without a solid and rational moral foundation, market capitalism becomes its own worst enemy. Yankelovich appears to be confronting this challenge and, I think, points the way to a good resolution of the problem.
There is no question now, in my view, that capitalism as it has been practiced in the past is just that -- a thing of the past. Capitalism must now advance to the "next stage of evolution," as Yankelovich envisions it. While it is vital that profit-making remain a central concern and goal of any economic enterprise, companies must also give due consideration to customers, employees, and society at large. There is really no essential conflict between making a profit (which any business must do to survive) and social responsibility. This notion of conflicting objectives was, I suspect, a matter of philosophical immaturity during the developmental growth of the capitalist system. It should be recalled that many of the so-called "robber barons" of the past did participate in philanthropic activities and contribute generously to the "social good." (Think Carnegie libraries, Ford and Rockefeller foundations.)
But, of course, the problem remains regarding the future of market capitalism, especially amid all the recent scandals. This is where I think Yankelovich makes his most noteworthy contribution. Abstract principles of ethics -- which is what many of us were primarily concerned with when I taught classes in ethical theory in years past -- is one thing. Important as that is, however, the application of ethical principles to practical situations, institutions, and social realities is, after all, of immediate concern. What Yankelovich provides is an extension of rational ethical principles into the marketplace, that is, where the action is and where they are most useful. There is no justification now for schools of business and departments of economics to ignore the moral and social ramifications of market activities; courses in business ethics, and I suggest maybe the "stewardship ethics" recommended in this book, ought to be a core part of the curriculum -- not just an elective, but a requirement.
"Profit With Honor" is, of course, not a full-blown treatise on business ethics. It is a short book, a mere 169 pages of actual text. It is, however, concise and to the point. Yankelovich's suggestion that market capitalism should adopt the idea of "doing well by doing good" comes across throughout the book and this idea needs to be internalized by anyone considering a future in business leadership. He concludes: "In our culture . . . the transformation to stewardship ethics may take place without even being widely noticed. But its effects will register in enhanced trust in the business sector, in improved long-term profitability, and in significant advances in global well-being." One can only hope what he says proves prophetic. This book is an excellent introduction to the problem at hand and, for many of us I suspect, a framework within which the practical solution to the problem can be realized. Must reading for any contemporary or future CEO. Highly recommended.
Should Be In Every Boardroom.......2007-07-07
This book is about ethics and integrity in corporate America. The author discusses the various scandals of the past decade or so, looks at root causes, and proposes a solution.
This book could easily have been a statist prescription for yet more regulation by that whacko entity we call the federal government (which doesn't actually govern), but fortunately it was not. Just as easily, it could have been yet another book used by the author to push the leftist agenda in the rosiest of terms, despite the fact that agenda has always failed and always will. Fortunately, we were spared that reality-challenged view as well. Nor is it another effort to push the "conservative" agenda (basically, a way of diverting money to special interests). In fact, Yankelovich stresses the need to move beyond political "solutions" to problems.
People change careers, and I am one of those people. In my former life as an engineer (in a galaxy far, far away or something to that effect), one of the skills I learned was root cause analysis. This kind of analysis is demonstrably absent in public policy, as is evident from the demonstrable failure of federal policies, federal agencies, federal programs, and just about anything else spewing forth from Washington, DC. I notice that most "experts" have pretty logical-sounding solutions to what ails us, but almost none of them first determines what problem needs solving. They have a hammer (their area of expertise), and the whole world is their nail.
Yankelovich takes a humbler and more rational approach. This book talks about what CEOs and other leaders should do to restore integrity in our corporations, yet in the preface he says he's neither a celebrated CEO nor an expert on the subject. Upon reading the book, I found this worked to his advantage. He's not an armchair general type, either, though. He was on many boards over many years and has seen the workings of the inner sanctum firsthand. His background as a social scientist and researcher is also a critical qualification, because he has an excellent lens through which to observe and analyze.
At 169 pages in paperback format, this book is short. It's not a highly detailed academic treatise on case histories. Yankelovich is certainly capable of producing such an opus. But it would be read by academics rather than CEOs. This book is the perfect size for its primary target audience--the high level corporate executive. It can fit into a briefcase for reading during a return flight or two.
Profit with Honor has ten chapters. The first two give us a clear picture of the problem. In those chapters, Yankelovich also discusses why legal remedies don't work. For example, if you have a law barring a certain behavior, people who believe it's OK to game the system will find and exploit a loophole. To see how this pans out, look no further than our insane, and counterproductive, federal income tax code. He also talks about what happens when a company promises to play nice and then doesn't.
The next two chapters explain why "What's good for GM is good for America" isn't so (not to pick on GM--that was the actual statement, but the sentiment was quickly adopted by other companies). Yankelovich also provides comparisons between the ethics of today (or lack thereof) to the ethics of previous times. This isn't a "sure was great in the good old days" fantasy. Yankelovich bases his analysis on actual research, including a study of the Harvard Business School Class of 1949.
What he has to say about "civil society" in Chapter Five is right on target, and should be required reading for everyone over the age of six. Unfortunately, we have too few adults with the proper training in civility, and we gag on that aftertaste of that every day.
Chapter Six and Chapter Seven provide a good discussion of stewardship ethics, which Yankelovich proposes as the means of getting our corporations back on track.
In Chapter Eight, Yankelovich exposes the fallacy of the "Shareholder Value" philosophy, leaving no doubt for the reader that it has proven to be costly and destructive. Chapter Nine explores the concept of gatekeeper integrity. Our gatekeepers include institutional investors, auditors, business lawyers, investment bankers, business journalists, and educators--and they have profoundly failed us.
The final chapter, Titled "Hummer vs. Hybrid" nicely ties the book's concepts together. What better way to make things clear than to use a common example and figuratively turn it over in your hand so that each edge, nook, and cranny is exposed to sunlight? This example concerns the attitudes of two companies. The first one is GM, which I loathe. The second is Toyota, of which I am a customer and a huge fan.
GM chased short-term profits by producing gas-guzzling Hummers. Thanks to GM lobbyists, the CONgress (which sells legislation to the highest bidder) introduced more distortions into that abomination called "the federal income tax code" to make it advantageous for people to own Hummers rather than a vehicle that makes sense. Hummers tear up our roads (causing us to pay higher road taxes) and consume four times the fuel that a sensible vehicle does (causing gas prices to be higher). So, we all pay for some insecure person to drive around in a Hummer dominating the road while GM managers soak up their bonuses for short-term profits and Middle East terrorists enjoy the funding provided by the additional oil revenue. All perfectly legal.
Toyota, on the other hand, behaved responsibly by producing the fuel-efficient Prius hybrid. It's important to note that this isn't their only fuel-efficient vehicle. My Camry gets nearly 40 MPG on the highway (5-speed manual transmission, good driving habits, synthetic oil, and other things boost its fuel economy past the EPA rating). Some other models of conventially-powered Toyotas, such as the Corolla, do even better.
If we replaced every GM vehicle with a Toyota Camry, America would no longer have an energy problem.
Toyota's venture into the hybrid market came at the cost of short-term losses. This car isn't a cash cow for them, and it isn't causing their executives to go home with multi-million dollar bonuses. It's part of the their long-term strategy to build cars that serve people and society. It's the result of their "continual improvement" ethic.
Yankelovich follows this same ethic in his writing. He isn't proposing a quick fix. He's proposing a change in underlying attitudes and beliefs, and it takes time for those things to produce effects. It's like eating right vs. taking medications. Eating right won't instantly make you healthy, if you are presently not eating right. But it's the only way to be healthy and correcting the effects of wrong behavior takes time.
It's also a monumental task to get all the players on board with such a change. If this book makes its way into boardrooms and executive suites across the country, and if individuals in those boardrooms and executive suites decide to make personal integrity a top priority ala the Class of 1949, that change can and will happen.
If you like the idea of a nation in which corporations are run in an ethical fashion (providing a model the federal "government" might learn from), read this book and then recommend it to others.
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Ethics and the Future of Capitalism (Praxiology)
Manufacturer: Transaction Publishers
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