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     is the autobiography of the late Akio Morita, the Japanese co-founder and

former chairman of the Sony corporation. It was written with the assistance of 
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and c    . The book not only narrates the story of Mr. Morita, but
also of the Sony corporation's formation in the aftermath of Japan's brutal defeat in World War
two, and its subsequent rapid rise to fame and fortune. The book also provides insights into
Japanese culture and the Japanese way of thinking, particularly their business management
philosophies and styles. The Japanese behavior is explained by putting it into a context based on
Japan's history, recent and ancient. Morita introduces the origins of his family, and how Sony
was founded. Chapters picture the war, early tape recorders, and various conclusions on
international markets. The transistor was invented in North America in the 1950's, and Sony took
advantage of it. The biography gives authentic details about patent issues, business conferences
in various countries, and the invention of the Walkman. The book is narrated by Mr. Morita in an
intensely personal, down to earth, conversational style.

In today's global economy, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for an insight into
Eastern management philosophy. Akio Morita needs no introduction. A legend in his lifetime, he
founded Sony, one of the most powerful and respected multinational corporations in the world.

This book is an autobiography of Akio Morita and it goes hand in hand with the story of growth
and expansion of Sony as well as post World War II Japan. This is a story of young Japanese
who dreamt of a great company and went on to establish one with his exceptional vision and
intuitive ability. Many of us know the anecdote of how Sony's marketing team was not
convinced of the viability of the idea of a device, which can play music when you play Golf and
ignoring them Akio asked his Engineers to go ahead. Yes, we know that device by the name of
Walkman.

The book starts with the Post World War II Japan, wounded psychologically and physically by
the one of the biggest tragedies mankind has ever faced. The problems of rehabilitation,
unemployment and recession, then reconstruction, the weakening of 'Zaibatsu' (the family owned
Conglomerates) and strengthening of democratic style of management in companies, which
helped many more Japanese corporations to come up, is explained beautifully.
Akio talks of the Japanese society and culture. The conservative and strong family-oriented
culture reminds of the common Asian heritage we share with Japanese Society. This is really
appreciable that such society can grow so advanced scientifically and technologically that it has
not only challenged the countries traditionally considered powerhouse of industrial revolution
but also taken a lead in many industries.

This book talks of the initial days of Sony in US market, initial problems and numerous
complicated lawsuits it had to face. Then, finally being successful in creating a strong brand
"Sony" in the US market.

This book tells of Akio as a person and family man. He proves that to have a successful career,
you do not need to sacrifice family life. He says at one place that he thought of Sony as one of
the children he has to raise. He comes across as a diehard believer in simple living and high
thinking. He wittingly tells the difference between a rich man and a wealthy man to a European
lady who refers him a better jeweler's shop for his wife. Akio believed in deep-rooted Japanese
philosophy of "mottainai", which emphasizes on being skilled and efficient in using resources
economically. It is wonderful to know how Japan is so successful despite being a nation with
little natural resources. May be that is the reason for inventing smallest and at the same time
powerful devices.

This book is a door to understanding Japanese management philosophy and work ethics. Akio in
his lifetime made sure that he gets chance to address each new batch of fresh recruits into Sony
on the company philosophy and tell what is expected out of them. He created a company culture
of `employment for life-time' which he believed helps getting total loyalty of employees.

Akio was from the generation of Japanese entrepreneurs who not only created value and wealth
for his company but was able to make `MADE IN JAPAN' brand famous across the world. This
book tells how.
In 1946, amid the rubble of defeated Japan, a small group of college friends decided to go into
business for themselves. Because of their engineering background and interest in high
technology, their first product was a tape recorder. One of those young men was Akio Morita,
who is now the chairman of the multinational Sony Corporation.

The son of a wealthy family of sake brewers, Morita had grown up in a relatively Westernized
home, where early phonographs and Western music and recordings were appreciated. His
interest in the techniques and problems of quality sound recording developed early and led to his
pursuit of a physics degree at Osaka University. As eldest son, he had also been introduced to the
world of his father¶s business.

In the first half of the book, elements of autobiography and company history are intermingled.
Technological changes and innumerable trips abroad to further the business (Sony was the first
Japanese firm to license the transistor patents from Western Electric) receive equal time with
anecdotes of family and friends.

The second half of the book consists of informal essays on topics such as personnel
management; the differing corporate styles of East and West; the importance of competition; and
Japan¶s role in world trade. Export of American jobs overseas and the decline of the United
States¶ industrial base receive extensive attention, although Morita¶s comments on the cause and
cure are by no means original. Despite the difficulties which he foresees, Morita remains
eternally optimistic about the future.

The book¶s two coauthors (TIME magazine¶s Tokyo bureau chief and a Japanese journalist)
have done a wonderful job of making this a readable book while allowing the author¶s
personality and enthusiasm to shine through.