The Creation of Wealth - RM Lala (2004)

A swift read. The overall book talks about the history of the Tata Group. The book has three parts. Part-1 the Jamshetji era where audicious visions are undertaken. Part-2 the JRD era which marks development of collaboration and corporate structure. Some extraordinary actions around R &D on various areas. Part-3 redesigning the organisation for rapid growth and expansion with focus on technology with Ratan Tata at the driving seat. The book ends right before the Nano project. The Tatas didn't have a smooth sail with their business. There were many ups and downs they braved through to develop one of the most respected companies in India. The Tatas are as much contributing to philanthropy as much they have developed profit making corporate giants. 

A book worth reading.

Go Kiss the World - Subroto Bagchi (2008)

Starting from very humble beginning making to founding president of one of the most respected companies of India is definitely an interesting story to read. I felt honored as particularly being from a state which has so less number of icons to read about someone who has achieved so much definitely was quite heartening. As much as I liked it as a story, I also felt there are pages of unsaid realities which the book has probably missed.

I see some big flaws in most autobiographies. They are always read only after someone achieves a level where it's difficult to question his judgment. For example, I got a feeling the management style of the set of individuals were so relationship oriented that for them to work in another management system or a transaction based MNC set up was hard to achieve.

Secondly, in the book Subroto has described at several places the fact that no one should consider the book as a person from very limited resources or person poor living conditions making it big. Rather it's from a person making big from simple beginnings. In fact, knowing and living in Orissa for all my childhood, I will say Subroto was probably one of the well to do families of Orissa in some sense. One of the brothers in the civil services, parents in judicial services has significant status in Orissa. A state where private sector was unheard of 15 years back and still countable job opportunity in private sector; public sector and govt are the largest employers in the state. Managing a family of 6 members with one income is never easy and most importantly a state like Orissa never even had the avenues to spend as much. I remember there used to be no more than five restaurants in whole of Bhubaneswar 20 year's back for a family outing unless you had enough to splurge in a star hotel. This is all about simple living as Subroto has rightly described in his book.

Like all the autobiographies I would say take as much as you can take from it. If somethings do not align to your viewpoint ignore. For example, I found the last parts of the book quite rhetoric where author tried to describe his management style and life philosophy. But it's understandable considering as an active professional and business icon people look upto him for some such tips. More over the negative emotions will typically be ignored in an autobiography due to obvious reasons. No one will ever know the relationship of the founders of Mindtree with the Wipro management nor what did Subroto achieved or could not at Lucent Bell labs.

But as a writer Subroto is a remarkable story teller. An unputdownable book and written in absolutely simple language yet very appealing.

The HP Way - How Bill Hewlett and I Built Our Company - David Packard (1996)

Quite an interesting book when it comes to understanding how one of the oldest and respected companies in the technology community was born out of a garage. But I felt the book has lived its life. For most part, when you think of when HP achieved the feats David Packard has claimed you will definitely find the company way ahead of its time. But when you look at it 12 years later, I do not think you will find anything strongly appealing.

A recommended book if you enjoy reading a history book. From the current context you may not find it very appealing.