Product Description
“We need a new theory of management. The assumptions built into business today are not accurate.”-Peter Drucker For sixteen months before his death, Elizabeth Haas Edersheim was given unprecedented access to Peter Drucker, widely regarded as the father of modern management. At Drucker's request, Edersheim, a respected management thinker in her own right, spoke with him about the development of modern business throughout his life-and how it continues to grow and change at an ever-increasing rate. The Definitive Drucker captures his visionary management concepts, applies them to the key business risks and opportunities of the coming decades, and imparts Drucker's views on current business practices, economic changes, and trends-many of which he first predicted decades ago. It also sheds light onto issues such as why so many leaders fail, the fragility of our economic systems, and the new role of the CEO. Drucker's insights are divided into five main themes that the modern organization needs to, as Drucker would say, “create tomorrow” by Connecting with customers Innovating without abandoning what works Developing lasting partnerships Creating and retaining knowledge workers Establishing disciplined decision making Drucker's penetrating questions, posed to those seeking his advice, helped business, corporate, and political leaders throughout the 20th century to see their work in a new perspective, and create phenomenal innovation. Edersheim's extensive interviews with some of these luminaries, including Warren Bennis, Ram Charan, Bill Gates, George Gallup, Jr. and A.G. Lafley offer compelling commentary on Drucker's vast influence. Delivering keen analysis and revealing insights into business, The Definitive Drucker is a celebration of this extraordinary man and his life's work, as well as a unique opportunity to learn from Drucker's final business lessons how to strategize, compete, and triumph in any market. (20070228)

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 18 reviews)

Excellent Addition to the Drucker Legacy by Martin Gollery

5 Stars
July 22, 2009
Drucker is rightfully considered the father of modern management. This is an excellent addition to the two score books that he wrote himself. Whether it is truly 'The Definitive Drucker' as it claims is an academic point. See 'The Essential Drucker' if you would like to make your own comparisons. Most Business books these days seem to have one point surrounded with fluff, excessive examples and self-aggrandizement. This book has more ideas to change your corporation than a shelf full of average CEO stories.

An exceptional effort to capture an extraordinary life by Rebecca Clement (Philadelphia, PA)

5 Stars
February 17, 2009
What would be the cost of gleaning the best thoughts, insight, analysis, experience and perspective from possibly the greatest business mind of the 20th Century? Apparently it's the cost of Elizabeth Hass Edersheim's book The Definitive Drucker, which is the authorized biography of the founding father of modern management, Peter Drucker. Drucker handpicked Edersheim to write his landmark memoir by giving her unrestricted access during the final 16 months of his life. During his life, Drucker helped shape companies, countries and economies across the globe offering his advice to leaders of GE, the World Bank and Japan - to name a few. The Definitive Drucker distills his managerial discipline and vision as well as his sage-like guidance regarding the future of business practices, economic conditions and trends - many that have already come to pass since his death. Soundview recommends this book because its contents offer exponential value far beyond the nominal cost. If you read only one business book this year, make sure its this one!

Fluff piece by J (Chicago)

1 Stars
January 25, 2009
Casual review of selected Drucker-isms, with examples randomly included and uncritically presented. Even as business books go, the quality of writing was very disappointing. The book jacket reviews are glowing, most from individuals included in the book as fluff examples of Drucker's work.

Discover His Distilled Business Wisdom by Newt Barrett (Bonita Springs, Florida)

5 Stars
May 25, 2008
Timeless. That's the best word to describe the wisdom of Peter Drucker (1909-2005), widely considered the father of modern management. Born in Vienna, he chose the United States over Europe in 1937, because he believed that's where the future would be invented. His insights helped shape companies throughout the 20th century, and still resonate today.Drucker coined the term "knowledge workers" in 1959-decades before personal computers and the World Wide Web-believing that intelligence would fuel the economy. In 1992, he wrote that only world-not Western-history and civilization now matter. His thoughts on management, economics and politics filled nearly 40 books. But his last words on a variety of topics are in The Definitive Drucker by Elizabeth Haas Edersheim, who interviewed Drucker in the 16 months before his death. When she asked him what he wanted to be remembered for, he replied simply, "Enabling a few people to get the right things done." His contribution, he said, was "to highlight the concept of the responsible and effective execution of management as work, function and responsibility." Drucker asked clients challenging questions that forced them to derive their own solutions, Edersheim writes. General Electric CEO Jack Welch recounts one question that led to a sea change at GE: "If it's not your front room, can you make it somebody else's front room?" In other words, if a certain area is not your company's strength, can you outsource the work for the best possible outcome? This led GE down the path toward intelligent outsourcing. The Definitive Drucker also features commentary from other corporate disciples, cites examples of Drucker's best thinking in action, and reveals some of his effective strategies-including how to work through challenges. He saw himself as a "counteracter," Edersheim writes. "When people begin talking about problems, I say, `No, wait a minute. Let's first look at the opportunities,'" he told her. This book is must reading for organizations of every size and to leaders at every level.

A story of the interview process by William D. Tompkins (New York, New York USA)

5 Stars
September 22, 2007
I enjoyed this book. The author shared her experience of going to Peter Drucker's home over a period of time to interview him and recounts having to contend with Peter's wife and the 2 hour limitations on his time thru her. The book presents his theories of business management and real life examples how companies employed them and where certain com[anies did not employ them.

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