Recapturing the Spirit of Enterprise
This updated version of Gilder's earlier book, The Spirit of Enterprise ( LJ 2/1/84), remains an apologia for maintaining an economic system that encourages unrestricted entrepreneurship. Gilder still includes a sprinkling of the biographical profiles honoring members of his entrepreneurial hall of fame, such as J.R. Simplot, but adds several chapters that pay tribute to the Reagan economic policies of the 1980s and defend the ventures of financial traders such as Michael Milken. Sure to stir debate is Gilder's testament to certain super-rich company founders, like Microsoft's Bill Gates, who, if anything, is undercompensated for what he contributes to the economy. Always the eloquent wordsmith, Gilder bashes intellectuals (who pontificate but can't "do") and professional managers (i.e., MBAs) who merely attempt to preserve what others have created. This work is sure to generate its share of controversy, particularly in an election year.- Gene R. Laczniak, Marquette Univ., MilwaukeeCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.