Masters of the Universe: Winning Strategies of America's Greatest Dealmakers

by Daniel J. Kadlec

Book Overview

Meet the men and minds that have ignited the greatest decade of deal making in the history of business

In the 1980s Tom Wolfe coined the term "masters of the universe" for hard-charging Wall Streeters. In the '90s, that term is applied broadly to the takeover pros behind a decade of stunning mergers and acquisitions. The decade produced more than $8 trillion in M&A, far more than the $2.4 trillion in the "decade of greed." Daniel J. Kadlec, Time...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0887309321
• ISBN13: 9780887309328
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The most important lesson to learn from this book is...

This book does a great job showing how an assortment of business people from different industries became successful in their careers. The most important lesson to learn from this book is that many of these business people came from a similar background to your own and you too could have the success they did. This book does not give a large amount of detail as to how each businessperson became successful, but it still gives an excellent high-level view.

A fine read for business book readers

I like books that summarize outstanding businessmen. Sometimes I learn something. Sometimes I'm just entertained. This book does not contain massive new information but it entertained me and I learned something. While I recommend the book, it is not in the top 10 business books I have read.

Snapshots of the Masters, not too revealing

Although the book is interesting to read the stories are too concise to gain any particular insight into the "winning strategies". Generally this book is not much more revealing than numerous articles available on the persons concerned. Also stories on specialist dealmakers, like Forstmann, are intermingled with stories on corporate dealmakers, like McColl. Corporate M & As is a rather different subject from LBO maneuvering, in my view, and shouldn't have been combined in one book.

brilliant, insightful page-turner

the thoughts of some of the most successful businesman, presented like they would sit across the table and willing to share their experiences and approaches with a real good friend. a post-post graduate course in "BRILLIANCE".

Inspirational to all of us out there trying to make a living

Kadlec recounts tales of the "High Rollers" in a casual and conversational manner that business people of all levels can understand. He provides insight into the 'can do' mentality of the big dealmakers that can inspire us all.