The Deal Maker: How William C. Durant Made General Motors

Amazon.com

Long before Ted Turner and Steve Case, a flamboyant dreamer named William Crapo Durant was assembling innovative corporate empires that would rival any. After growing a Flint, Michigan, carriagemaker into one of the biggest players in a booming industry, Durant got caught up in the automotive frenzy sweeping the world and in 1908 established General Motors by acquiring a stable of existing carmakers (including Buick, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac) as well as parts companies and manufacturing plants. In The Deal Maker, experienced biographer Axel Madsen goes behind the scenes to detail also the financial setbacks that soon cost Durant control of GM, the partnership with Louis Chevrolet that led to formation of the Chevrolet Motor Car Company, his triumphant reestablishment at the top of GM (and second embarrassing fall from power), the formation and failure of his alternative automaker, Durant Motor, and, finally, the enormous stock-market victories he enjoyed before his complete financial destruction in the 1929 crash. The Durant that Madsen reveals is a business visionary truly worth getting to know, the "Great Gatsby of carmaking" who understood the big picture but lacked the personal patience and managerial skills necessary for long-term success. --Howard Rothman

Book Description

The rollercoaster life of the flamboyant creator of General Motors The early twentieth century witnessed the meteoric career of a deal maker that easily rivals that of modern legends like Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch, and Bill Gates. Thriving on the art of the deal and moving at warp speed, Durant was buying companies at the rate of one every thirty days at the peak of his career. By 1910, Durant had allied twenty-five automobile firms into what would become General Motors. Then, gambling on a run on GM stock, Durant was forced into a buyout and never again had the financial wherewithal to succeed. He died a poor man. Featuring some of the most important figures in the history of the automotive industry and American business, including Henry Ford, David Buick, Albert Champion, Louis Chevrolet, Alfred P. Sloan, and Pierre Du Pont, Deal Maker is a fast-paced, rousing tale of Durant's dizzying success and abject failure. Axel Madsen (Los Angeles, CA) has written fourteen biographies, including Chanel: A Woman of Her Own; Gloria and Joe: The Star-Crossed Love Affair of Gloria Swanson and Joe Kennedy; Cousteau; and Stanwyck: A Biography.

Customer Reviews:

The Deal Maker By Axel Madsen.......2003-03-17

This is another good book on my hero Mr. William C. Durant the creator of GM. Mr. Durant defiantly affected the early automobile history more than any other one man ever. He was the worlds largest cart maker back in Flint Mi. & went on to save Buick from certain bankruptcy. Also creating GM with Buick as the cornerstone car & then adding Olds, Cadillac & Oakland (the forerunner to Pontiac) & many others that didn't pan out. He also started Chevrolet with his famous Buick race car driver Louis Chevrolet. Some other good reads are The Dream Maker 1979 by Bernard Weisberger and Billy Durant by Lawrence Gustin 1973. ... Sincerely Lance Haynes President Durant Motors Automobile Club

An inspiration of determination.......2002-02-05

It's a story of a vibrant, fast acting dreamer named William Durant who had his start making horse carriages in Flint, Michigan with his partner Dort. He being the salesman, then pre-sold orders for their carriages at a fair, contracted the work out, then worked in a frenzy to fulfill all those orders. It wasn't long until those working on the carriages understood what Durant and Dort were doing, and wanted their own piece of the pie. With a little luck, they managed to survive intense start up competition the first few fragile years, then, in 1908, Durant alone established General Motors through the strategic acquisition (and even more luck) of several existing auto manufacturers (including Buick, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac). He also actively pursued vertical and horizontal integration into the manufacturing process by acquiring rubber plantations, etc. at the closest level to the source. It's fascinating to listen to the "who" behind the names of today's leading auto lines (ie. Louie "Chevrolet" - was a race car driver), etc. and to imagine that Henry Ford and William Durant considered a viable merger that would have completely changed history! From a financial standpoint now, it's easy to see Durant's forecast for financial ruin. It was his tremendous speed and passion which he acted, but often lacked methodical planning or prudence. His pursuit of being "big" and acquiring at least one new company every month, led to a repeated pattern of over-extension and debt feeding his ego; which eventually ruined him, not once, but three times. He then became involved with Dupont, Morgan and the other "high powered" names of history in an effort to re-build his own auto "empire" with a different name - each failed. Each time, his persistence kept him going - and that's truly admirable. He never gave up after each failure! It's inspiring to read (or listen to if you get lucky and find an audio version.)

The Deal Maker How William C. Durant Made General Motors [Audiobook]

Average customer rating:

The Deal Maker How William C. Durant Made General Motors [Audiobook]

Manufacturer: Recorded Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 0788743929

Product Description

7 tapes, unabridged, Recorded Books Edition.

Book Description

He clashed with Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Bob Clarke, and Denis Savard. But he has won championships on two of hockey's greatest stages: the Stanley Cup and the Canada Cup.

Mike Keenan's legend as a coach, and general manager is unrivaled in hockey history. Love him or hate him, everywhere he has gone he has made a lasting impact at every level of the game, and on every team he has coached or managed - sometimes positively, often negatively.

From Keenan's earliest coaching days in junior hockey to his disastrous time with the Vancouver Canucks to his recent attempts to return to the NHL, Keenan takes an honest inside look at the most controversial coach in hockey history.

Customer Reviews:

Insightful book with annoying time sequence inaccuracies.......2006-05-27

Very interesting read with several heretofore unknown (to me) biographical information and anectdotes about one of the most successful and controversial figures in hockey's recent history. A good narrative of Keenan's highs and lows throughout his travels in the AHL and NHL coaching ranks.

Being a Blackhawks fan during the era Keenan coached in Chicago, however, I noticed that several inaccurate details that appeared. For example, Gordon writes that during the 1988-89 season, goalies Darren Pang and Alain Chevrier were highly inconsistent, contributing to the team's awful first half. In fact, it was Pang along with rookies Jimmy Waite and Ed Belfour who were backstopping the Hawks to their first-half failures, and the teams resurgence in the second half of the season coincided with the acquisition of Alain Chevrier. Also, goalie Jacques Cloutier is noted at one point as being a "mid-season" acquisition; he was actually acquired just after training camp in 1989. These are just a couple of examples which do not reflect well on the author (or editor or proofreader) detailing basic facts.

Also curious was the insinuation that defenseman Doug Wilson was some sort of softie who wasn't willing to make the "committment" to winning. Strange, as anyone who watched the Hawks during his career knows that the majority of the time when he was out of the lineup, the team struggled much more defensively, and I am not aware of any other of Wilson's coaches or teammates making any such assertations or insinuations.

Overall, not a bad read at all, if you are willing to be tolerant or remain ignorant of the smaller stuff.

Time to Revisit Keenan.......2001-12-22

I became interested in rereading this book after Mike Keenan's recent appointment to the ailing Florida Panthers. His story reads like a greek tragedy in that his fanatical drive continually prevented him from seeing and learning from his mistakes. Players and management either loved him for his discipline, or hated him for his sadism, unpredictability, and indecorous behavior with the press. Jeff Gordon does a wonderful job of detailing Keenan's strides and missteps without skewering him with a pitchfork. This book is also well-written and as fair of an account of Mike Keenan as a readers are likely to find. I highly recommend it.

Sweet.......2001-03-03

A definite Hat Trick!! Gordo knows what he's talking about.

Excellent.......2001-01-09

Really enjoyed this book. Could not put it down once I started reading it. Found it to be very fair overall. Not a slam against Keenan at all. You learn a lot about Keenan as well as life in the NHL. Get this book!

Embracing Change and Paradigm Shifts..........2000-12-15

If I were Gordon's editor, I would give new meaning to the phrase "healthy scratch".

Keenan The High Times and Misadventures of Hockey's Most Controversial Coach

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Keenan The High Times and Misadventures of Hockey's Most Controversial Coach
Gordon Jeff
Manufacturer: McGrEGOR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SZAJC6

Average customer rating:

Keenan: The High Times and Misadventures of Hockey's Most Controversial Coach
Jeff Gordon
Manufacturer: McGregor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PFDU8E

Average customer rating:

Horrible! Waste of time and paper!

Even Jimmy would be ruffled!

An awful, sensationalist piece of trash.

This is NOT a biography

James Stewart: Behind the Scenes of a Wonderful Life: Cloth Book
Lawrence J. Quirk
Manufacturer: Applause Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 155783329X

Book Description

This startling, intimate biography of James Stewart frankly reveals with new facts and discoveries a fully dimensional view of this revered figure and consummate American icon. Shrewd, self-protective, financially astute, the James Stewart that Mr. Quirk uncovers was no bumbling naive Mr. Smith, but a Man of the World.

Customer Reviews:

Horrible! Waste of time and paper!.......2007-05-03

I agree with the other reviewers opinions on this book. No person or celebrity is perfect but this is pure defamation of character. Hopefully someone has written something better.

Even Jimmy would be ruffled!.......2000-05-30

Oh! At last a James Stewart biography...No, just a piece of sensational pulp from a man who can neither spell, nor construct complete sentences. I hate this book!

An awful, sensationalist piece of trash........1998-08-25

I fortunately did not spend any money on this piece of garbage. I do find it amusing that this author, who claims (in several lines on the back cover) to have spent "years researching the true story," and had "many interviews with the family and the man himself," never bothered to learn the correct spelling of Mrs. James Stewart's maiden name! Everywhere throughout the book is Mrs. Gloria McLean Stewart's name and the names of her 2 sons misspelled! Surely with all of the biographies written (both worthwhile and mediocre reads) Mr. Quirk could have glanced at the spelling. We are talking about the one great love and the two sons in this superior actor and father's life! What an atrocity to attempt to mar the image and memory of such a fine, giving, and reputable man. Shame on you, Mr. Quirk. You obviously have done nothing worthwhile in this life and must degrade the work and life of another to boost youself. Post Script: I would have given this zero stars had that been an option.

This is NOT a biography.......1998-07-06

I saw this book and got excited because I didn't know there was a biography out about Jimmy Stewart. Had I known of Mr. Quirk's reputation for sensationalistic biographies, I would not have gone near this book and I'm sorry I did. He continually and unabashedly from page one infers that Mr. Stewart was as at best a bisexual and he implies much worse. He derides his values, his war record and his movies. I guess since there has never been a hint of scandal about the man, Mr. Quirk decided to invent some. Of course, AFTER Mr. Stewart is no longer with us to defend himself. He spends a paragraph in the last chapter trying to say that Jimmy more or less gave him permission to write a book about him. I doubt this is what he would have in mind. He makes fun of his later movies, primarily it seems because they were "family films". He blisters him for a book of poems he released not even mentioning how well it did or how his reading one in particular about his dog brought the usually unemotional Johnny Carson to tears on THE TONIGHT SHOW in the late 1980's and Johnny showed it every year thereafter on his anniversary shows. I could say much more but the bottom line is if you want to read something real about Jimmy and you don't like wasting money, avoid this book like the plague. I wish I had.

Book Description

Christopher Dawes lives in a quiet English village. His neighbor is Rat Scabies, former drummer with the Damned, best noted for setting his drums on fire while still playing them at a live concert. Life with Rat as a neighbor isn’t run-of-the-mill, but things turn even stranger when Rat announces that he (and Christopher) are going on a search for the Holy Grail.

The saga begins in Rennes-le-Chateau in France, where in 1891 a local priest discovered a treasure whose mystery remains unsolved. Once Christopher and Rat have written a list of things to do (“Buy metal detectors!”), they need only unravel a tale involving the Cathars, the Knights Templar, the Man in the Iron Mask, and Louis XIV—and along the way, visit Paris, Rome, Glastonbury, and Tintagel—and perhaps join the Masons (Rat thinks they know something).

The legend of the Holy Grail is far from unknown, but this is the first time the quest has been given the punk rock treatment. Rat Scabies and the Holy Grail is a psychedelic, Pythonesque road trip, a testimony to the sometimes odd nature of friendship, and a rich historical yarn.

Customer Reviews:

Amusing book related to the Holy Grail.......2007-01-04

If you've read/see the Da Vinci Code this is a must read book. The same basic idea, just a little more tongue in cheek.

Hilarious.......2006-02-10

What happens when a journolist and a punk rock legend go off to find the Holy Grail? Well read this to find out. An hilarious account of adventuring in the misty world that most people have only heard of due to The DaVinci Code. A good travel book and mystery book. Highly recommended.

If you are interested in the mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau, there are only 2 books you really need........2005-11-23

"Holy Blood Holy Grail" - and this one.

The first because - despite the fact that other books on the subject preceeded it - it's the one that really put the subject on the map. And Dawes' book because it's the only one I've read that really seems to pick up where the first one leaves off, with a very entertaining and comical, yet touchingly personal, spin. Is there anything to the mystery after all? Who knows? But with a book like this, the quest is just as beguiling a read as any blockbuster revelation could be.

the punk Da Vinci Code.......2005-09-03

Hilarious and irreverant true story of one man and his neighbour (who just happens to be the drummer from legendary punk band The Damned) who go on a quest to find the Holy Grail. A refreshing alternative to The Da Vinci Code. Completely insane in places.

Great entertainment!.......2005-08-10

Dawes presents an objective overview of an interesting historical mystery in this entertaining memoir/travelog. I highly recommend this book, it's well-written, informative, and fun.

Book Description

Perfect Dark is a futuristic spy thriller set in 2023, when special operative Joanna Dark is assigned to rescue a kidnapped scientist form the monolithic DataDyne Corporation. As you guide Joanna Dark from the towering skyscrapers of Chicago to an alien crash site at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, you'll encounter some of the most intelligent enemies ever to haunt the N64. With Perfect Dark: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, you'll have everything you need to complete Joanna's quest.

Mission walkthroughs with tips on all difficulty levels, including Perfect Agent
Co-operative notes for every mission
Techniques for each weapon, device, and holo test
Pointers for all 3D Combat Simulator Challenges
Details on all weapons and devices
Rundown of all Simulants, including Special Sims
Character, location, and vehicle profiles
Secrets and bonuses revealed
Detailed maps for every mission, Challenge, and multiplayer level

Customer Reviews:

Think about it........2000-07-03

This is a good guide, by some standards. It has a serious flaw in the map system, the maps are not helpful and do not indicate the location of the guards... that would have been nice. They offer almost no help with the challenge mode and if you want help on the missions you must read through 4 long pages of text with useless pics.... I recommend the Nintendo guide over Prima's for this game.

If You Can't Beat The Game, Come To This.......2000-05-25

I have used very many Prima Guides, but this one is positively the most helpful. If you get stuck on any level, use this to find out what to do! The game is rather hard, so you may want to use this. If you get stuck in Perfect Dark, consult this guide!

Perfect Dark Official Strategy Guide (Official Guide)

Average customer rating:

The Guy was Right!
i i i i want Perfect Dark Official Strategy Guide
What The Hell Are You Talking About!?!?!!!!
Great Guide, not a comic book!
Great book with out silly comics

Perfect Dark Official Strategy Guide (Official Guide)
Tim Bogenn
Manufacturer: BRADY GAMES
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Video Games | Games & Strategy Guides | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Video & Electronic Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Expansion Pak For Nintendo 64

ASIN: 1566869080

Book Description

BradyGAMES-Perfect Dark Offical Strategy Guide Features. Expert Strategy leads you through every mission, including the bonus Special Assignments. Every Cheat and Hidden Item--Unlock new weapons, unlimited ammo, invincibility, and MUCH MORE! Complete Multiplayer Coverage helps you crerate incredible Custom Setups! Maps for Every Mission detail every objective and guide your way through each difficulty mode! THE PERFECT GAME! THE PERFECT GUIDE!

Customer Reviews:

The Guy was Right!.......2004-02-20

You people out there, the guy who talked about the book with the comics is right. There is one out there, I have it. For your info, it is actually better than this one, because it has more color, better layout, descriptions, etc. Go to carldaru.freewebspace.com!

i i i i want Perfect Dark Official Strategy Guide.......2002-02-20

but its out of Print of Print of Print i want iwant i want it it even has a poster in it it ded i now

What The Hell Are You Talking About!?!?!!!!.......2001-04-28

Mr.Deja Vu, what description are you talking about?!?!!??

And Mr.Supa___Dave, GUESS WHAT! We want the give-a-away book! You know why! Because when we're STUCK! we want to become UN-STUCK! not a "hint" how to became UN-STUCK! BUT TO ACTURALLY BECOME UN-STUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUGOTIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON"T GIVE STUPID RESPONCES AND THEN GIVE IT A 5 STAR!!!!!!!!!!

Great Guide, not a comic book!.......2000-07-24

The critic "CWF1069@aol.com" was not referring to this book when he mentioned that there were comics in it. This is the best Perfect Dark guide on the market, but it is not a comic book. He must of been thinking of a lesser quality guide that may be out there :)

Great book with out silly comics.......2000-07-24

Book Description

Praise for BUILDING WINNING TRADING SYSTEMS with TradeStation ™

"This book will prove vital to all systematic traders. Pruitt and Hill share a wealth of innovative timing patterns and fully disclosed trading strategies. For TradeStation™ users, there are powerful tutorials on indicator design and system building. The authors' vast expertise will benefit even practiced TradeStation™ veterans."
-Nelson Freeburg
Editor, Formula Research

"TradeStation™ systems traders will discover a virtual gold mine of knowledge, guidance, and the benefit of vicarious experience from the two foremost experts on the subject in this valuable new addition to trading systems literature. There has long been a notable lack of worthwhile reference material for TradeStation™ users, and Building Winning Trading Systems with TradeStation™ fills a large void in this area."
-Edward Dobson
President, Traders Press, Inc.

"Building Winning Trading Systems with TradeStation™ is filled with useful information and practical real-world examples. I believe TradeStation 6™ users will find it a valuable resource."
-Bill Cruz
Co-CEO, TradeStation™ Group, Inc.

Customer Reviews:

Dated but some useful information.......2007-02-04

I'd call this book a beginner/intermediate level Tradestation guide. It starts with the very basics of EasyLanguage and then moves into some simple trading systems. If you get the Easylanguage beginners guides from Tradestation, you wouldn't need the first third of the book. I was looking for some coding ideas as well as some debugging ideas. I did get both from the book. The middle of the book is the good stuff and had some trading systems and debugging methods, but not $60 worth. The book appeared to be packed with all kinds of useful information but there is a lot of useless fluff, the last third of the book had lots of Reserved Words and reference stuff that isn't necessary to include. There was even interviews with system developers. I thought this was about building trading systems?? As was mentioned in previous reviews, try to find the book used. Also, the book was published in 2003. The code in the book is about 4 years old and is still usable but dated.

Buy it if you can find it used. .......2005-05-01

For new system developers using TradeStation:

First, read the Tradestation Manuals. From the main menu, choose Help -> TradeStation Books. Read "Getting Started with TradeSation EasyLanguage" then move on to "EasyLanguage Reference Guide."

Next, bring up a TradeStation chart and add some random strategy. Click View -> Strategy Performance Report. In the Performance Summary and Trade Analysis tabs, click on each statistic's name type and read the description. It is pretty informative.

Then read chapter 5 of this book if you need more info on the stats.

Chapter 6 is the real meat of this book and the reason you should add it to your library. Unfortunately it is riddled with typographical errors. It's a shame. If the authors would have just copied and pasted the code from a verified strategy, they would have caught most of the problems.

Chapter 7 and 8 also have some valuable information.

Again, if you can find this book used, go ahead and buy it. There are a couple strategy coding, debugging and printing, and EL tweaks for research that you will find interesting.

Also, look into

"Professional Stock Trading: System Design and Automation" (more good ideas and examples of TS coding)

"Design, Testing, and Optimization of Trading Systems" by Robert Pardo (oldie but goodie on system design, but no TS).

"The Encyclopedia of Trading Strategies" by Jeffrey Katz (there is good chapter on basic statistics originally published in 1997 Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities)

Fails to live up to expectations or its price.......2004-10-13

The information about TradeStation is easily replaced with the manuals available from the company. The trading systems included have some interesting features, but the design and analysis is far inferior to what you'll find in, say, Conway & Behle's "Professional Stock Trading: System Design and Automation". And the editing of the text is very sloppy. This would be a decent value were it a $30 paperback, but as a premium priced book it dissapoints. There are much better ways to spend this much money on books about stock trading.

Very helpful, but badly edited.......2004-03-19

The systems are very good.
You will of course need to tune them, but I am generally very impressed.
The prose is also very good, and I have much better insight about how to design systems like this.

The only downside is that the code fragments in the book
1) are not available for download on the web, which is just silly in this day and age;
2) are very poorly edited; they contain syntax errors and obvious bugs.

So poor technical editing, but great content.

A Truly "Robust" Book For Serious Traders.......2003-06-30

I gave this book the maximum 5 stars because its overall impact on me as a trader was so profound. I would say it catalyzed a revolution in my success rate to such an extent that I now feel capable of making a living at this profession for the first time in my career. Obviously (as the title suggests) the book is primarily about how to use Tradestation software, or more specifically, the programming language that comes with TS known as Easylanguage. Long regarded as an oxymoron by those in the know, 'Easylanguage' is in fact anything but easy...it can be downright daunting at times. But this book really helps to break the ice by enabling dedicated students to get a working feel for the ins and outs of Tradestation and its various idiosyncrasies. Worth the price of the book alone is the chapter about trading strategies (chapter 6), subtitled by the authors "The Big Damn Chapter on Trading Strategies". A word to the wise - the SuperCombo System elucidated in this chapter contains all the elements to propel the reader much closer to that final elusive goal of consistent profitability. Perhaps you will need to modify it a bit here and there to suit your chosen market, but in the final analysis the seed concepts embedded within this single mechanical trading approach are robust and universal enough to grind out real money day in and day out for a long, long time to come. Please don't get me wrong - this is not so much a ready-made formula as it is a theoretical framework which needs to be "fleshed out" through hard work in order to be fully viable. I have always had a great deal of respect for John Hill and George Pruitt, both because of their candor and straightforwardness and because of their willingness to tirelessly follow a lead through to the end in order to discover the truth. "Building Winning Trading Systems with Tradestation" is more than a book about Easylanguage, it is a Magnus Opus of sorts, weaving many different ideas on many different levels in order to reveal a tapestry of trading that borders on something resembling a Rosetta Stone for the aspiring trader. Highly recommended.

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