This is one of my favorite books. Drucker is as much philosopher as he is business man. He gives the illusion that there is humanity in corporations. He made me want to be a business woman & then corporate America splashed reality on me like ice water. ( )

The chapters in this book come from books and essays that were previously published. The preface identifies where the chapters came from.

I finished reading "The Essential Drucker" today. I started reading it over a year ago and my reading in it languished. During that period of not reading it, I managed to pick up a second copy at a used book store. Even though I wasn't currently reading it, I have found his writings to be solid. Then, a few weeks ago I picked it up and began reading in earnest. Since it had been so long since I read the first few chapters, I started from page 1.

It has been a fascinating adventure to read it. I have been continually amazed that articles he wrote roughly 25 years ago stated the very problems that are vexing us today, and as a "Management Consultant" he gives his recommendations on which direction to go.

In many places it caused me to think about things in new ways, in other places I was caused to think about issues more deeply than before. In all of the chapters I held a red pen in my hand to mark paragraphs that were interesting. Reasons for marking them varied - sometimes I wanted to share what I had read. Other times I felt he expressed something particularly well, in other places there were snippets of information that I hadn't known and wanted to remember.

Just about every chapter now has it's share of red pen marks delineating what I found to be the more notable passages. ( )

This most consolidated version of Drucker's collected writings casts a bright light of effectiveness across every type of management: business, non-profit, and government. Drucker's insight is elegant. He observes, sees the pattern and simplifies, repeatedly applying his genius to topics ranging from the purpose of a company, to communication, to effective communication. As further proof of his skills, his points seem timeless, with supporting examples ranging from his personal experiences with Alfred P. Sloan to analysis of the technology boom of the late 1900's. ( )

It's the best book on management I ever read. I'm writing small resummes on my website because it's impossible to retain in our brain all wisdom that Peter F. Drucker exposes in this book only by reading it.
In complement of this book, I think you will need to read "Maslow on Management" ( )

A great compilation of his great works. Great refresher course, if you have read some of his other works. Mr. Drucker has been the foundation of my business from a Management standpoint. My top 3 books would be: Post Capitalist Society, The Daily Drucker, and this book The Essential Drucker. Drucker just provides great observations. Along with Post Capitalist Society (because of his historical approach and stance on Social Responsibility), this book is a great starter book into Management. ( )