The Wisdom of Titans: Secrets of Success from Entrepreneurs Who Rose to the Top

Being your own boss is the great American dream, but only 1% of entrepreneurs are truly successful. Ferguson, chairman and CEO of Ferguson Partners, interviewed some of the world’s best-known entrepreneurs in order to instruct a wide audience: entrepreneurs whose businesses have stalled; corporate leaders who want to take a more entrepreneurial approach; budding entrepreneurs; and M.B.A. students. His 30 years of experience recruiting and advising CEOs, senior executives, and board members have given him both insight and connections, and the interviews with movers and shakers create an upbeat, if superficial, guide to empire building. Ferguson’s interviewees instruct the reader to have fun at work, be a student of the business, make a mark outside the mainstream, grow the bottom line, mentor others, create value out of a vision, take risks, measure progress, maintain integrity, and leave a legacy. There’s some filler on how the likes of J.W. Marriott of Marriott International got his start, and on essential problem-solving skills, bolstered by “tips from the titans” and rallying quotes from business leaders. Though the overall message is strong—that titans are defined by their ability to scale businesses utilizing all the talent at their disposal, having built strong teams—the advice is run-of-the-mill and the presentation lackluster. Agent: Doris S. Michaels, the DSM Agency. (May)