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Backfire: Carly Fiorina's High-stakes Battle for the Soul of Hewlett-Packard (Hardcover)

by Peter Burrows (Author) "The line started forming outside of the Court of Chancery in Wilmington, Delaware, at 3:00 A.M ..." (more)

4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Product details

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (25 Feb 2003)
Language German
ISBN-10: 0471267651
ISBN-13: 978-0471267652
Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 15.5 x 2.8 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 423,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category:
#55 in Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Women's Studies > Women & Finance

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Product Description

Review
"...Backfire, by BusinessWeek computer editor Peter Burrows...offer fresh insights about the epic battle and about Fiorina′s ultimately successful purchase of Compaq." (Business Week, February 17, 2003)

"...account distinguishes itself with a deeper portrait of Fiorina." (Publishers Weekly, February 10, 2003)

"[b]oth book vividly recount the proxy fight and courtroom proceeding that preceded Fiorina′s victory." (USA Today, February 24, 2003)

"...a good grounding in the background to the company and its key players an interesting read..." (IT Week/www.vnunet.com, 19 March 2003)

"...a fascinating behind the scenes peek at one of the most powerful IT companies some useful intelligence for IT managers..." (VNU Net, 19 March 2003)

"...more meaty, more colourful and generally a much more enjoyable read...the book also goes much further..." (Infoconomy, 11 April 2003)

"...riveting, colorful, fast–paced account of the Compaq battle". (New York Times Book Review, May 18, 2003)

"...This gripping, ongoing story includes fascinating personalities and dramatic boardroom and courtroom drama..." (Computer Consultant, April/May 2003)

"paints a nuanced and enlightening portrait of the leader of one of the most important high–tech companies". (The Boston Globe, June 8, 2003)

"...realistic and objective.... Backfire is definitely a must–read for investors, executives..." (The star online, 12 August 2003)

VNU Net, 19 March 2003
"..a fascinating behind the scenes peek at one of the most powerful IT companies..some useful intelligence for IT managers.."

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
The line started forming outside of the Court of Chancery in Wilmington, Delaware, at 3:00 A.M. Read the first page

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4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful!, 15 Oct 2003

By	Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract.com" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Peter Burrows offers insights into high level business, where personality matters more than economics, as he explores the mammoth HP-Compaq merger. Most mergers fail to make money or to produce the promised “synergies” so, he asks, why — other than ego — do CEOs pursue them? Though stylistically somewhat trite, this book successfully explores the HP Board’s decision to approve the merger, with Walter B. Hewlett’s vote in favor, and his subsequent lonely, ultimately quixotic battle against it. The most contentious issues in contemporary business are all here: shareholder rights and value vs. CEO power; employee-oriented cultures vs. “re-engineering;” corporate integrity vs. sharp practice; and the interesting spectacle of a ruthless, hard-headed female CEO pitted against a sensitive, cello-playing man. The author says Hewlett-Packard executives were told not to speak with him after he quoted merger critics in Business Week, so there is an inevitable Walter Hewlett bias. We found this to be a very good read, even a must read, for corporate warriors.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful!, 9 Jun 2004

By	Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract.com" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Peter Burrows offers insights into high level business, where personality matters more than economics, as he explores the mammoth HP-Compaq merger. Most mergers fail to make money or to produce the promised "synergies" so, he asks, why - other than ego - do CEOs pursue them? Though stylistically somewhat trite, this book successfully explores the HP Board's decision to approve the merger, with Walter B. Hewlett's vote in favor, and his subsequent lonely, ultimately quixotic battle against it. The most contentious issues in contemporary business are all here: shareholder rights and value vs. CEO power; employee-oriented cultures vs. "re-engineering;" corporate integrity vs. sharp practice; and the interesting spectacle of a ruthless, hard-headed female CEO pitted against a sensitive, cello-playing man. The author says Hewlett-Packard executives were told not to speak with him after he quoted merger critics in Business Week, so there is an inevitable Walter Hewlett bias. We found this to be a very good read, even a must read, for corporate warriors.

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