A Book Review by Daniel R. Murphy

Title and Author:  The Puritan Gift by Kenneth Hopper and William Hopper  

Synopsis of Content:    

The Hopper brothers have written an intriguing and insightful book about what has been right and wrong with business management in the United States. Their thesis is that the Puritans brought to American shores some basic management principles that served the nation very well for almost four hundred years. They trace the implementation of these principles into the basis for the successful New England colonies and then into the way businesses organized themselves in early America.  

The principles were continued with the development of the multi-divisional corporation and the “Great Engine Companies” of the 19^th and 20^th centuries that led the transformation of the U.S. economy into a world economic power. The same basic principles continued as the foundation of business management through the first half of the 20^th century leading too much of the success of American business during and after World War II.  

Ironically while the “Three Wise Men”, advisors sent to Japan by Gen. MacArthur to help modernize the Japanese manufacturing system were teaching these highly successful principles to the Japanese in the U.S. the new “science” of business administration which originated with the Taylorism of the early 20^th century began to replace the sound principles of management that had served us so well. The Hoppers call this the “cult” and attribute it to the rise and influence of the business schools. Instead of relying on men who had risen through the ranks of a company and were loyal to it, American business bought into the idea that running a business was a discipline that could be taught in MBA programs and anyone could run any business by the numbers.  

The book explores how this mistaken thinking contributed to the decline in the quality of hospital administration, horrendous results in war including the Mai Lai massacre and many policy failures in government during the last half of the 20^th century.  

The authors wrap up by condensing what they believe worked well from the original Puritan approach and augmented by later improvements into 25 principles of management which they recommend replace the broken systems used today.  

This book is a must read for anyone interested in how businesses or other institutions should be run and what may be wrong with management today. The authors are not afraid to be iconoclastic in their approach and while they are admirers of Peter Drucker and other nonconformists they freely attack the current thinking in business administration. The ideas in this book have provocative implications for every form of organizational management and for the future of American and world economic success.  

Readability/Writing Quality:    

This is a well written book but not an easy one to read. It has substance and discusses ideas in great detail using lots of historical examples and sources. It is well documented. You will not read this one in an evening but the time you spend on it will prove enlightening and time well spent.  

Notes on Author:    

Kenneth Hopper is a business writer and consultant. His brother, William Hopper is an investment banker in London. 

Publication Information:    

The Puritan Gift, Reclaiming the American Dream Amidst Global Financial Chaos by Kenneth and William Hopper. Copyright 2007, 2009 by Kenneth and William Hopper. Published by I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd.  

Rating for this Book: Excellent