Spreading the Risks: Insuring the American Experience

"Spreading the Risks" tells the story of how the American insurance industry evolved from colonial times through periods of war and economic transformation into the twenty-first century where it now faces open-ended liabilities from terrorism, asbestosis and environmental pollution. John A. Bogardus Jr., former chairman and CEO of Alexander & Alexander, uses his decades of business experience to explore the role of major twentieth-century American brokers. He provides an informed overview of American commercial insurance and offers memorable stories about the world's leading brokerages whose triumphs and failures reflect an ever-changing business.

John A. Bogardus Jr. joined Alexander & Alexander in 1950 as a trainee. Rising through the ranks, in time he held the positions of president, CEO and chairman, and he served on the board from 1963 to 1995. Active in several national insurance organizations, he was also on the boards of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc; Security Capital Corporation; and United States Surgical Corporation.

Robert Moore, Ph.D., worked for Alexander & Alexander from 1977 to 1995 in various executive capacities, including president of Government and Industry Affairs, Inc. in Washington, DC. He also served as the Emerging Issues Coordinator for the Conference Board in New York.