{"title":"David Gelles","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection dedicated to the works of \u003cem\u003eDavid Gelles\u003c\/em\u003e, a distinguished author and journalist renowned for his compelling narratives in the realms of Biography \u0026amp; Memoir, as well as Education \u0026amp; Reference. Gelles is celebrated for his incisive exploration of the corporate world and its profound impact on modern society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDirtbag Billionaire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, Gelles delves into the intricacies of wealth and character, offering a nuanced portrait of a modern magnate whose story is both captivating and cautionary. This book provides a unique perspective on the moral dilemmas faced in the pursuit of success, making it a must-read for enthusiasts of economic narratives and personal tales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Man Who Broke Capitalism\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e examines the transformative influence of a single individual on the global economic landscape. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Gelles presents a narrative that is as educational as it is enthralling, shedding light on the pivotal changes within the capitalist system and their ripple effects across the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Gelles's works are esteemed for their thorough research, eloquent prose, and engaging storytelling. Whether you're a seasoned reader of economic chronicles or new to these subjects, Gelles's books offer enlightening insights into complex themes, making this collection an essential addition to any booklover’s library.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-man-who-broke-capitalism-by-david-gelles-9781982176426","title":"The Man Who Broke Capitalism","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e Bestseller\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e reporter and “Corner Office” columnist David Gelles reveals legendary GE CEO Jack Welch to be the root of all that’s wrong with capitalism today and offers advice on how we might right those wrongs.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1981, Jack Welch took over General Electric and quickly rose to fame as the first celebrity CEO. He golfed with presidents, mingled with movie stars, and was idolised for growing GE into the most valuable company in the world. But Welch’s achievements didn’t stem from some greater intelligence or business prowess. Rather, they were the result of a sustained effort to push GE’s stock price ever higher, often at the expense of workers, consumers, and innovation. In this captivating, revelatory book, David Gelles argues that Welch single-handedly ushered in a new, cutthroat era of American capitalism that continues to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGelles chronicles Welch’s campaign to vaporise hundreds of thousands of jobs in a bid to boost profits, eviscerating the country’s manufacturing base, and destabilising the middle class. Welch’s obsession with downsizing—he eliminated 10% of employees every year—fundamentally altered GE and inspired generations of imitators who have employed his strategies at other companies around the globe. In his day, Welch was corporate America’s leading proponent of mergers and acquisitions, using deals to gobble up competitors and giving rise to an economy that is more concentrated and less dynamic. And Welch pioneered the dark arts of “financialisation,” transforming GE from an admired industrial manufacturer into what was effectively an unregulated bank. The finance business was hugely profitable in the short term and helped Welch keep GE’s stock price ticking up. But ultimately, financialisation undermined GE and dozens of other Fortune 500 companies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGelles shows how Welch’s celebrated emphasis on increasing shareholder value by any means necessary (layoffs, outsourcing, offshoring, acquisitions, and buybacks, to name but a few tactics) became the norm in American business generally. He demonstrates how that approach has led to the greatest socioeconomic inequality since the Great Depression and harmed many of the very companies that have embraced it. And he shows how a generation of Welch acolytes radically transformed companies like Boeing, Home Depot, Kraft Heinz, and more. Finally, Gelles chronicles the change that is now afoot in corporate America, highlighting companies and leaders who have abandoned Welchism and are proving that it is still possible to excel in the business world without destroying livelihoods, gutting communities, and spurning regulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46511116157164,"sku":"9781982176426","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/20373793482893.jpg?v=1748813300"},{"product_id":"dirtbag-billionaire-by-david-gelles-9781923058682","title":"Dirtbag Billionaire","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDirtbag Billionaire\u003c\/em\u003e by New York Times bestselling author David Gelles reveals how Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, turned the business world on its head and became a global leader in ethical business practices before giving away the source of his wealth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A riveting behind-the-scenes look at Patagonia-and how the trailblazing company redefined business and purpose....essential reading.'\u003c\/em\u003e - Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eSupercommunicators\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Power of Habit\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the inside story of one of the most extraordinary brands in the corporate world, the rare company that is driven by environmental activism instead of cutthroat capitalism. Founded in 1973, Patagonia has grown into a wildly popular producer of jackets, hats, and fleece vests, with a cult-like following among hardcore alpinists and Wall Street traders alike, posting sales of more than $1 billion a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut it's not just the clothes that make Patagonia unique. For decades, the company has distinguished itself as a singular beacon for socially responsible business, the rare company that can legitimately claim to be doing its damnedest to make the world a better place, while also making a profit. From its early efforts to take exemplary care of its employees, to its extensive work trying to clean up its supply chain, to its controversial activism, Patagonia has set itself apart from its peers with one unorthodox decision after another, proving that there is another way to do capitalism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the heart of the story is Patagonia's founder, the legendary rock climber Yvon Chouinard. A perennial outsider who forged one of the most impressive resumes in the outdoor world, Chouinard also established himself as a pivotal figure in the history of American business. Guided by his anti-authoritarian streak and his unwavering commitment to preserving the natural world, Patagonia came to exert a powerful influence on other companies, paving the way for a new era of social and environmental responsibility. He started out as a dirtbag—a term affectionately bestowed on poor, itinerant outdoorsmen so uninterested in material possessions they are happy to sleep in the dirt—and he became a billionaire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChouinard also proved that there was another way to be a philanthropist. In the twilight of his career, he gave away Patagonia, renouncing his wealth and committing all its future profits to fighting the climate crisis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on exclusive access to Chouinard and the Patagonia team, \u003cem\u003eDirtbag Billionaire\u003c\/em\u003e offers new insights into the key moments that informed their priorities, shaped the company, and sent ripples across the corporate world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'In Dirtbag Billionaire, David Gelles chronicles the life of Yvon Chouinard in a manner that is as spirited and unflinching as his subject.'\u003c\/em\u003e - FORMER US VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Chouinard's fascinating, daring and contradictory life is unique in the annals of modern business, and Gelles shows us why in vivid, sympathetic detail.'\u003c\/em\u003e - JOHN VAILLANT, bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eFire Weather\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'You will want to read David Gelles's outstanding saga in one sitting. Yvon has made an extraordinary contribution to humankind.'\u003c\/em\u003e - PAUL HAWKEN, author of \u003cem\u003eCarbon\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46629148164332,"sku":"9781923058682","price":40.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781923058682.jpg?v=1751942038"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/david-gelles.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}