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The Greatest Capitalist Who Ever Lived: Tom Watson Jr. and the Epic Story of How IBM Created the Digital Age
Bottom of the pile
23
/100
I Index Overall Rating
Readers
33/100Critics
13/100Scholars
Author:
Ralph Watson McElvenny, Marc Wortman
Publisher:
PublicAffairs
Date:
October 24, 2023
Nearly fifty years into IBM's existence, Thomas Watson Jr. undertook the biggest gamble in business history when he "bet the farm" on the creation of the IBM System/360, the world's first fully integrated and compatible mainframe computer. As CEO, Watson drove a revolution no other companyâthen or nowâwould dare, laying the foundation for the digital age that has transformed every society, corporation, and government. The story of Watson being "present at the creation" of the digital age is intertwined with near-Shakespearean personal drama. While he put IBM and its employees at risk, Watson also carried out a family-shattering battle over the future of the company with his brother Dick. This titanic struggle between brothers led to Dick's death and almost killed Watson Jr. himself.
What The Reviewers Say
Compelling.
Although the lead author is Watson’s grandson, the authors do not shy away from unflattering details about their subject’s personality and private life. But neither do they offer much insight into his character, or go beyond psychology and business-management clichés in describing the lessons he learned from his personal struggles.
Briskly told.
The authors skillfully weave this profile of a recalcitrant heir together with a chronicle of computing in the 20th century. It’s an informative and entertaining study..
