The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational

This was a very thorough history of the British East India Company (EIC) and its influences around the world. It did feel a little bit disorganized in some parts of the book because things are not always presented in a chronological order, or in some easy to follow narrative, but I think part of the reason is due to the complexities of EIC’s history and the vastness of the research that the author has done on this topic. The book does a phenomenal job in giving you a sense of the injustices and the atrocities that were done at the hands of the company in India and China.I also enjoyed the tidbits of narrative that the author throws in every now and then about how things in the present day resembles something that was done during EIC’s time. However, these are few and far between. So you may be disappointed if you read the title and expected more of how the EIC shaped the modern corporations.While the book is definitely not the one I would recommend for a leisurely summer reading list, it is definitely a must read for anyone who is interested in general history or who is interested in learning about how the fate of modern western and eastern societies were shaped through commerce in the 17th and 18th century.

This is the story of the East India Company, also known as the John Company. It was founded in the late 1500's and finally dissolved around 1880. This is probably the longest running corporation, complete with shareholders and "servants" (employees). It became a huge economic power, even a leading cause of the American Revolution (they asked Parliament to ban non-John Co tea imports into the American Colonies, which led to the Boston Tea Party), as well as a monopoly controlling imports from India and, later in the 1800's, from China. Like the American auto industry, the John Company was bailed out several times by the government, who eventually set up a committee to take control away from its Directors. Perhaps their worst failing of all, the EIC illegally imported opium from India into China, breaking into the Chinese market (and leading to huge societal issues among the Chinese of the period). This book details all of this and more, providing an in depth look into the biggest example of a global corporation that helped topple governments. For the most part, this is an excellent read. One or two areas are a bit unclear, specifically the financial details of how the corporation ran & dealt with shareholders (I think the author assumes more financial knowledge based on modern corporate structure). One thing I found incredibly interesting is the fact that, given all the incredible history of London, if you walk to the corner of Leadenhall & Lime Street, near Lloyd's of London, you will find NOTHING (no markers, signs, etc.) that mentions the fact that EIC's headquarters once stood on that spot. An interesting book that seems well researched, perfect for anyone with a little historical knowledge of the company and British history.

This book is the most thorough and best presentation of the East India Company and how it brought about changes in the modern world. Easy to read, great maps and reads like a novel.

Interesting history of the idea and word 'corporation' just not a particularly captivating read. I did learn quite a bit but found many parts of it rather boring. Might just not be my 'thing.'

I read this before my trip to Europe for school. It offered good insight and made my trip better!

Although a bit dry this accurate reading on the East India company is a great example of how goods make it from point A to B and the many profits made by middlemen along the way. And of course with a government backing (like the modern day wall street banks) makes it impossible to lose.

Every person envolved with a world corporation, and mainly trading companies or international banking MUST read this deep lesson of how to manage and to mismanage larger companies. Lessons are to well manage or to mismanage and steal through the organization. A SUPERB book, and an efficient research on past economical data of XVII to XIX centuries. The Author is to be congratulated by this monography. And furthermore, a deep insight in the East India Company (EIC) and its awful British behaviour towards Third World - India and China - stressing the urgent necessity of rereading all that History that Royal England stablishment try to throw away, or to hidden under the carpet. British modern History is its history, undeniable drawn on its skin.

not very interesting