- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins Business (1 Feb 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0002553511
- ISBN-13: 978-0002553513
- Product Dimensions: 24.1 x 15.7 x 4.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 925,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The chocolate wars between industry giants Hershey and Mars are anything but sweet. In The Chocolate Wars, Joël Glenn Brenner reveals the bitter legal and marketing fights, palace intrigue, and personality clashes that dominate Hershey and Mars--and the candy industry as a whole. A talented writer and dogged researcher, Brenner concludes that after decades of competition between the two companies, the drama still is unfolding. Will Mars--privately held and publicity shy--be the ultimate winner with its global game plan? Or will it be Hershey--publicly traded and philanthropy- minded--with its aggressive strategy of growth by acquisition?
Brenner, a former Washington Post financial reporter, tells the stories of how Forrest Mars Sr. and Milton S. Hershey turned their two companies from small family businesses into international forces over the last century. While they may have started small, their products-- Mars' Snickers and M&M's and Hershey's milk-chocolate bars and Kisses-- are ubiquitous. Hershey was a benevolent philanthropist who spent hundreds of millions to create a town and orphanage to fulfill his altruistic dreams. Mars was a short-tempered perfectionist who yelled at anyone who failed to meet his standards. "What made Forrest's blood rush was the thrill of mastering new opportunities and taming uncharted worlds," the author writes. "Like Milton Hershey, he was driven by his visions; but where Milton Hershey saw utopia, Forrest Mars saw conquest." Nine years in the making, The Chocolate Wars is a satisfying read about the two titans of the chocolate world and how they capitalised on our love of sweets. --Dan Ring, Amazon.com
Review
‘A rewarding read’
Sunday Business
‘An entertaining and meticulously researched account.’
Sunday Telegraph
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Brenner takes us on a chronological wander from the earliest days of chocolate production to today's world domination of Mars and Americain entrenchment of Hershey.
A fascinating insight into the economics of supply in this industry - and a few surprises about past alliances. This book blows the chocolate world apart - a real diamond of investigative journalism.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
My aim in buying "Chocolate Wars" was to find out more about the highly secretive but phenomenally successful Mars family. In particular, how have they managed to maintain this success on a global scale through to the crucial third generation? To my surprise and delight, I found that Brenner has not only told the Mars story, but also added the history of Hershey, and the way in which the threads of the two dynasties have been interwoven over the past 100 years. His technique is effortless and skilful, as he moves forward and backward in time to paint in the background to the chocolate industry, bringing in the key players at the right moment. The characters come dramatically to life; the Mars protagonists seem especially vivid knowing that Brenner was given access to the Mars business which has not been granted before or since. This is a book which will entertain and fascinate anyone who wants to understand the drivers behind one of the great industries of the past 100 years.
Format:Hardcover
This book reminds me of a classic boys adventure story from the early 20th century. It shows a world of mystery and intrigue, all driven by a desire to be number 1. I know that this book caused a big stink with the two chocolate companies when it came out but I don't think it harmed either company - I suspect that the history of the rivalry of most big companies would be similar. Whatever view you take of the companies, and in particular of their leadership, as a result of reading this book, there is no denying the massive success they have had and the genuine love and affection felt towards their brands. Mars products, in particular, can be found almost everywhere around the globe. They must be doing something right!
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
