Family Wars

[front cover] Family Wars Classic conflicts in family business and how to deal with them Grant Gordon & Nigel Nicholson [!spine!] Family Wars Gordon & Nicholson [!KP logo!] [front flap] Family Wars takes you behind the scenes on a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of some of the biggest family-run companies in the world, showing how family in-fighting has threatened to bring about their downfall. Whether it's Redstone's courtroom battles or the feud over Henry Ford's reluctance to let go of the reins, the book reveals the origins, the extent and the final resolution of some of the most famous family feuds in recent history. Case studies in Family Wars include: Koch Industries; the Reliance story; the Gallo Family; Bata Shoe; the Guinness story; the Pathak family; the Gucci family. With insight into issues such as boardroom power struggles, family succession battles and the consequences good and bad of nepotism, Family Wars offers practical suggestions for how similar problems can be contained and solved. [!back flap!] Grant Gordon is the Director General of the Institute for Family Business and a fifth-generation member, and former senior executive, of a leading UK family business in the drinks sector. Nigel Nicholson is Professor of Organizational Behaviour at London Business School and a leading writer, executive educator and broadcaster on business and management. [!back cover!] "From all corners of the family business world they have gathered and engagingly retold the sagas of larger-than-life dynasties. These are compelling tales, overflowing with deep feeling and neglect, intelligence and stupidity, selfishness and nurturance, reminding us over and over that nothing in the human experience is more powerful than family. The addition of a section of lessons from experience makes Family Wars a tour de force of both moral and pragmatic storytelling." Kelin Gersick, Senior Partner, Lansberg, Gersick and Associates, and author of Generation to Generation and Generations of Giving "All those working and involved with family firms should read this book to understand what makes family business complex and at times challenging. The book sets out how to take strength from and manage the conflicts that arise." Patrick Thomas, CEO, Hermes, France "Family Wars is not just a collection of juicy inside stories about conflicts in famous business families. It's an analytical look into the emotions that drive family firms through the lens of a trained professional and experienced educator. Every reader of this remarkable book will be able to recognize themselves in it. Prepare to be surprised." Dr Gita Piramal, Chairman, BP Ergo, and Managing Editor, The Smart Manager Many ofGordon, Grant is the author of 'Family Wars', published 2008 under ISBN 9780749446307 and ISBN 0749446307.