The Puritan Gift: Reclaiming the American Dream Amidst Global Financial Chaos - Softcover

Hopper, Kenneth; Hopper, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184511986X ISBN 13: 9781845119867

Publisher: I.B. Tauris, 2009

Synopsis

Where does the Protestant work ethic come from? And how did America achieve such dominance in management for so long? "The Puritan Gift" traces the origins and the characteristics of American managerial culture which, in the course of three centuries, turned a group of small colonies into the greatest economic and political power on earth. It argues that the drive, energy and acceptance of innovation, competition, growth and social mobility, all of which lie at the root of America's management culture, have their origins in the discipline and ethos of America's first wave of European immigrants: the Puritans.And, the authors warn, as Americans distance themselves from the core values which produced their business and economic successes during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, they put their future prosperity and security at risk. This is an original exploration of the dramatic and far-reaching consequences of the Puritans' 'gift' to America - the ethos which produced the early success of America and what came to be known as the American dream.

About this title

About the Author:

Kenneth Hopper has been active throughout his professional life as a writer on industrial affairs and a consultant in both the U.S.A. and Europe. He was born in Scotland and is now a U.S. citizen living in New Jersey. William Hopper (his brother) lives in London and has spent his career in investment banking in New York and London. Their combined knowledge of manufacturing and finance gives this book its unique depth and perspective.

Review:

""Kenneth Hopper is certainly one of the most eloquent, and credible voices being raised on this issue.""--Robert Hayes, Harvard University
""A goldmine of information.""--Myron Tribus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Stephen Evans, as presenter of BBC Business Daily, has selected this book as a 'must read of the year' for 2007.
""A very thought-provoking and readable book.""--Linda Hesselman, Management Studies Centre, University College, London ""A stunning triumph . . . An important new contribution to the academic study of management."" --Professor Peter Kawalek, Manchester Business School
""The best thing about The Puritan Gift is that it is a real book, full of fascinating insights, intellectual rigour and challenging, authoritative arguments that remind us that there is nothing new about the responsibilities of management."" - Richard Donkin, Financial Times

''Mr. Fuld [Lehman Brothers] displayed...an air of pained bewilderment at his congressional committee hearing last week. His expression of regret at the collapse of his bank should be included in every MBA syllabus. As Will and Kenneth Hopper point out in their essential book The Puritan Gift, the main tasks of the CEO were to determine strategy, appoint divisional heads and supervise their work...’’-- Stefan Stern, Financial Times

‘In The Puritan Gift, published last year, the septuagenarian Scottish brothers William and Kenneth Hopper, respectively a banker and an engineer-turned-industrial consultant, argued that for 200 years the puritan foundations of America kept its businesses intact, emphasising craft, financial responsibility and the sublimation of private interest to the group.’ - Andrew Billen, TIMES, 9th March 2009

""...bold, original and agreeably opinionated"" -- Simon Caulkin, Observer

About this edition

• Publisher: I.B. Tauris
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 184511986X
• ISBN 13: 9781845119867
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 360