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Profiles in Folly

History's Worst Decisions and Why They Went Wrong

Contributors

By Alan Axelrod

Formats and Prices

Price

$7.99

Format

ebook (Digital original)

Format:

ebook (Digital original) $7.99

Using the same engrossing anecdotal format that proved so popular in Profiles in Audacity, bestselling author Alan Axelrod turns to the dark side of audacious decision-making and explores historys most tragic errors. While Axelrod looks at the hopelessly dumb and the overtly evil, the main focus is on smart people who had the best of intentions–but whose plans went disastrously wrong. The 35 compelling stories include: the sailing of the “unsinkable” Titanic; Edward Bernayss 1929 campaign to recruit women smokers; Neville Chamberlains appeasement of the Nazis; Ken Lays deception with Enron; and even the choice to create a “New Coke” and fix what wasnt broke. These are cautionary tales–albeit with exquisite twists ranging from acerbic to horrific.

On Sale
Apr 3, 2012
Page Count
368 pages
Publisher
Union Square & Co.
ISBN-13
9781402798825

Alan Axelrod

About the Author

Alan Axelrod is the author of more than 100 books, including the CEO and Real History series (all Sterling). He was the coauthor of The New York Times bestseller What Every American Should Know About American History (with Charles Phillips; Adams Media Corporation) as well as the Businessweek bestsellers Patton on Leadership and Elizabeth I, CEO (both Prentice Hall). He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs and in magazine and newspaper articles.

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