In the Company of Good and Evil : From Zero to $3 Billion and Back again..., A True Story of Corporate Seduction and Betrayal

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and an Excellent "Lessons Learned" Account
Review: Ken Power et al does an excellent job of turning several years of memories and experiences into a very readable and detailed behind-the-scenes account of what happened with ValueAmeria. For me, the book became a text book on subjects like IPO, private funding, road shows and passing the baton from founder to CEO. The authors balance enough factual detail with colorful background to make the book interesting. I couldn't put it down. Admittedly (and understandably) self-serving in areas, the book provides insight about what all dot.coms experienced - from people who played on the field rather than watched from the bleachers.

Rating:
Summary: Now I know what's killing Corporate America!
Review: This book should be mandatory reading for all Corporate executives and especially all boards of directors. It clearly spells out just what must have happened at Enron, Global Crossings, K-Mart, WorldCom, and so many other bankrupt companies. It's the so called "professional" mangement's pocket-lining greed, unchecked by the board which results in spriraling economic sdeath to the companies, the employees, the shareholders and to everyone EXCEPT the managers. Cudos to Power and Winn for an expose' that finially tells it like it is. Everyone can learn from this one.

Rating:
Summary: This is an aweful book
Review: This is truly one of the worst books I have ever read. It might as well been titled "Craig Winn rants about the people he hates while praising himself" because that is all that is really accomplished here. I will say one thing though, if you've read David Kuo's Dot.bomb (and if you haven't you should) this book becomes somewhat interesting because it really shows off how warped a man Craig Winn really is. It is a truly sickening account of the events that transpired (btw, those sensitive about racist/sexist comments should probably avoid this book as well).

On last note, please notice that all the good reviews of this book are from people who remained anonymous. I wouldn't be surprised it they were written by Crain Winn himself.