A Must Read: Working Together by Michael Eisner

This is a must read!  Especially for anyone who is married.  Mark heard Michael Eisner on a Bill Simmons podcast (aired Sept. 17, 2010) when he was discussing this book.  This book was just published on Sept. 14.

It is a really good book.  I am only about half way through it, but the stories are all really interesting.  Eisner talks about 10 different partnerships.

1.  Michael Eisner and Frank Wells--Disney
2.  Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger--Berkshire Hathaway
3.  Bill and Melinda Gates--The Gates Foundation
4.  Brian Grazer and Ron Howard--Imagine Entertainment
5.  Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti--Valentino
6.  Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager--Studio 54

7.  Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus--Home Depot
8.  Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken--Restuaranters
9.  Joe Torre and Don Zimmer--New York Yankees
10.  Joe Angelo and Michael Gordon--Finance

Michael Eisner tells the story of these 10 partnerships and what made them successful.  Even though they are business partnerships, the things that made them successful can also translate to any type of partnership: family, marriage, work, friends, etc.

One of my favorite quotes comes from the epilogue, "Partnership can lead to success-and success can also sustain partnership. It can make people happy, and happier than they would have been having worked for their success alone."  I love how he says that in order to be successful, you can't do things alone--you need the help of a partner who is your equal.

P.S.  If you  watched Top Chef Masters on Bravo recently--Susan Feniger's name should sound familiar!  She had the crazy hair and thick glasses.  She was one of the only women to survive to the final rounds.  She cooks tacos and other southwestern foods.  She was one of my favorite chefs.