In this volume, first published in 1974, the author provides an introduction to the historical development of management in business. Success and failure in a commercial world can be explained partly in terms of economic forces, but much also depends on the people, on the management of the firms – on the bosses. The author approaches this topic by examining some of the major companies and individuals over the past two hundred years, and examines how apparently secure and profitable companies at times run into great difficulties and shows that, by examining the reasons for success and failure, pitfalls may be avoided and efficiency improved. This book will be of special value to business and commercial students, as well as to the general reader who is interested in the problems of modern industry.