In Sam We Trust: The Untold Story of Sam Walton and Wal-Mart, the World's Most Powerful Retailer

by Bob Ortega

Book Overview

If bigger is better, Wal-Mart has rightfully won its leading position in the pantheon of international institutions. With more than 100 million customers a week, Wal-Mart is by far the world's largest... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812963776
• ISBN13: 9780812963779
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Crown Business
• Length: 413 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

WAL-MART REPLACES GM AS USA'S #1 PRIVATE EMPLOYER

Bob Ortega's excellent study of America's largest private employer (728,000 workers in 1997) is truly food for thought not only about Wal-Mart as a retail organization, its leaders, and its impact on America, but also about the direction America was headed into at the close of the 20th century.Ortega's book, IN SAM WE TRUST: The Untold Story Of Sam Walton And How Wal-Mart Is Devouring America (1998) was widely reviewed as hostile to Wal-Mart and those who support it, but one cannot help but notice an overall tone of admiration in Ortega's book at the success of Wal-Mart's well documented rapacity and avarice, and the fact that its bottom line big dollar success was only possible because it's enormous customer base have voted with their feet and their pocket books to keep it going and growing.Author Bob Ortega is a Princeton grad later schooled at the Columbia U. Journalism School, well known along with the U. of Missouri Journalism School as the most prestigious in America. He's also a WALL STREET JOURNAL employee. For all of the pretentions IN SAM WE TRUST (1998) makes of being a true muck-raking tome, the author's WALL STREET JOURNAL mentality and morality shines through to any who examine his book closely.When all is said and done, Ortega has written a book which admires Wal-Mart, and is likely to do that organization no harm whatever. His provided backgrounder information about the nasty and unpleasant side of Wal-Mart doesn't affect the bottom-line, to use a phrase near and dear to Wal-Mart management, and to Ortega's mentor newspaper, the WALL STREET JOURNAL.The book reminds me of the extravagant PATTON (1969) movie which appeared in the middle of the War In Vietnam, and told the story of General George S. Patton, Jr. and his activities during World War II. The expensive movie (for which the main actor won an Academy Award) provided very critical material about Gen. Patton, and showed his failures and personal problems in some detail. But, all in all, it was a hagiography which was said to have been screened often in the Nixon White House, and which the pro-war people of the Vietnam War era loved. For all its criticism, the movie admired Patton, and was a PR piece for pushy generals, the U.S. Army, and war as a catagory of human activity.It's doubtful that Wal-Mart bigshots at company HQ in Bentonville, Arkansas lost any sleep over this book. Wal-Mart profits were probably boosted as a result of the book. After all, it provided more publicity about Wal-Mart. As movie star Erol Flynn was supposed to have said often, "I don't care what the newspapers say about me...just make sure they spell my name right."All this said, the book DOES reveal many interesting facts about Wal-Mart and by reflection, about America these days.Wal-Mart's status as America's largest private employer is discussed. By 1997, Wal-Mart had long since passed General Motors Corp. to achieve this status. The kind of work offered by Wal-Mart and other "big-box" type dis

A fascinating History of America

This is an excellent book. It's not merely the account of a powerful businessman and how he sahped a company. It's also an account of modern American socio-economic history. Ortega expalins hoe Sam Walton maanged to take advantage of changes that were occurring in demographic distribution, technology and savvy business techniques from those who taught him and his competitors. Ortega provides a history of retailing in the USA from the late 19th century and explains the success of the modern outlet store in terms of its roots in the catalogue stores, department stores and demographic distribution. The history of the WalMart company is told by focusing on its relentless founder Sam Walton. ortega reveals Walton's hiring processes, the reasons that led him to develop the worker profit-sharing programs and how the ideas of the cheer and other details, now familiar to any Wal Mart shopper, came to be. Ortega does not set out to accuse Walton, he lets the story speak for itself and the reader can decide whether or not they wish to continue shopping there. All in all this Business profile is well worth reading.

A must-read book for new business owner

One of my friends is going to start a new business and ask me to recommend the relevant books. I recommend him with this title. I think even exerienced veteran in business can also be inspired by the story of Sam.

This book tells it all.

I worked at Wal-mart and I know exactly what you are talking about. Right now it is happening in my home town. There are a lot of small stores and Wal-mart will run them out of business. When I worked with Wal-mart the main focus was making that money. They had to do everything to make sure that they were getting in every dollar they could. Forget the associates. They did not really care about the associates. We just had to make sure that the customers were happy so they would spend more money. It should not be that way. It is true that Wal-mart gives to the Children's Miracle Network and to other charities but they always get something out of it. Wal-mart cares about one thing and one thing only, making a profit.

An Absolutely Facinating Read

I'm a regular Wal-Mart shopper and a resident of the state where Sam Walton built and then oversaw his retail empire. As such, I picked up Ortega's book thinking it would be fairly interesting. I was hugely surprised and pleased to find a book that was insightful and revealing. I understand now how Sam Walton got as far as he did and why his company will continue to set the pace for the rest of the retailing world long after his death. And why that may or may not be a good thing for consumers and the communities in which they live.