Blue Blood and Mutiny

by Patricia Beard

Book Overview

In March 2005 the business world woke up to an unprecedented full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal calling for the removal of Morgan Stanley's CEO. Less than four months later, a group of eight retired, multimillionaire executives had orchestrated a stunning revolt within the most prestigious and--until recently--most successful financial-services firm on Wall Street. Now acclaimed journalist and historian Patricia Beard brings together the entire...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060881925
• ISBN13: 9780060881924
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.3" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Blue Blood & Mutiny

If you are interested in Investment Banking... It is a good book, so you can see who are the players...

Outstanding Historical Read

This is a very concise historical review of a merger that involves two cultures that tried to combine choosing the wrong an inexperienced leader to make it work, Fortunately, the more astute retired individuals came to the rescue and in time the combination should work. Only time will tell.

blue blood and mutny

Well written, and engrossing. Very clear presentation of the issues involved and makes a convincing case that "the mutineers" were right, and Purcell had to be removed as CEO.

Great insight into the 'soul' of the Morgan Stanley culture

Excellent book. It's been a long time since I've had a book I could not put down. Thank goodness for the G-8 and the employees who stood their ground. John Mack is a true leader and will continue to lead Morgan Stanley into a league of its own. Well worth the read.

When class really counts

Morgan Stanley like many old-line firms lost its soul at the hands of a CEO who never understood the value of the real enterprise. Phil Purcell tried to take what worked at Dean Witter and impose it on Morgan Stanley a much different institution. In doing so he acquired all of the perks of modern chairmen-the pay, the G-Vs, the compliant board while his firm's performance was tanking. Eight "advisory directors," retired and respected former partners, set out to rescue Morgan Stanley and restore its name and culture. Called the "Group of Eight" and sometimes the "Eight Grumpy Old Men" they take a stand for old-fashioned business values. Blue Blood and Mutiny reads like a novel. And it delivers an important message to business-ethical behavior, hard work and understanding of business fundamentals are more important and more beneficial than the gimmick-riden pursuit of a higher bottom line. This real life story will be the textbook case study in value driven management.