Father of modern management, social commentator, and preeminent business philosopher, Peter F. Drucker analyzed economics and society for more than sixty years. Now for readers everywhere who are concerned with the ways that management practices and principles affect the performance of organizations, individuals, and society, there is The Essential Drucker—an invaluable compilation of essential materials from the works of a management legend.

Containing twenty-six core selections, The Essential Drucker covers the basic principles and concerns of management and its problems, challenges, and opportunities, giving managers, executives, and professionals the tools to perform the tasks that the economy and society of tomorrow will demand of them.

Ever since his first book was published some six decades ago, Peter Drucker has been essential to everyone serious about the "management of an enterprise (and) the self-management of the individual, whether executive or professional, within an enterprise and altogether in our society of managed organizations." This distinguished 30-year Claremont University professor has continuously identified critical principles in management, economics, politics, and the world in general. And he has redirected our thinking about them through more than two dozen books, including an autobiography and a couple of works of fiction. Now, with The Essential Drucker, he has overseen the compilation of his most important fundamentals into one indispensable book.

Reaching back as far as 1954 with his treatise "Management by Objectives and Self-Control" ("Each manager, from the 'big boss' down to the production foreman or the chief clerk, needs clearly spelled-out objectives" that clarify expected contributions "to the attainment of company goals in all areas of the business"), Drucker's now-established ideas take on a surprising new relevancy when remixed equally pioneering ideas from the 1960s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. Between the thoughtful "Management as Social and Liberal Art" through the provocative "From Analysis to Perception--The New Worldview" (both originally published in 1988's The New Realities), this book revisits some of modern management's most inspired writing and presents it in a way that should appeal to both newcomers and those needing a refresher course on Drucker's basic beliefs. --Howard Rothman

Customer Rating:
Summary: Interesting, But Not Exciting Reading
Comment: Having read "Management Challenges for the 21st Century" and knowing the reputation of Peter Drucker I was quite eager to read the book. Maybe it was because of the translation (I read the portuguese version) but while it provides some interesting reading, it is sometime boring, too abstract and often out of date. Nevertheless, if somebody is looking for a summary of the lifetime work of Peter Drucker then he will not be disappointed.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Drucker is a legend who provides historical insights to major management issues
Comment: Peter F. Drucker is a genuine management guru. He provides a unique historical perspective(across centuries!) to management issues and thereby provides uniques insights. My favourite is his assertion that there is no "right" or "wrong" organisation structure --only one that is fit for the objective or corporate task at hand.

On a couple of occasions, he showed lack of "cultural sensitivity" by seeming to condem an entire cultural group, but i excused him on the grounds that he's from a different generation.

Overall,he works will greatly benefit humanity by enabling people make the right "global" decisions and understand the complexities of modern business and commerce.

I highly recommend this book to anyone aspiring to become a CEO!!! It will cut down your years of reseach by decades.

Jim, 5th Aug 2008

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It's 1 of the best
Comment: Its a very good collection of Peter Drucker's writings. It's a must read and re-read.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Managment for people who can think outside the box
Comment: Peter Drucker has a long, well-earned reputation for writing about management skills and practices. He writes plainly, cogently and with direct examples of his observations. It's too bad more people do not read (or if they do, do not practice) his principles: marketing is listening, not selling, and if you have listened (and responded) accordingly, the product/service will be obvious and well-received, regardless of the presumed capacity of the target to benefit from it. It's almost like management for dummies, but you DO have to listen first.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Comment: Excellent review. No matter if you alreday know his work. Is always good to remember and appreciatte his sharp and lasting concepts over the years.

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