The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars

I read this book as part of an MBA program, and it was the only book I chose to NOT sell back to the bookstore! Not only was the book thoroughly researched, but it was a lot of fun to read. The insights into an industry that everyone knows but knows little about are enough to keep you from putting the book down. It was so interesting I even finished this one while on vacation at the beach.

And I highly recommend the reader have a good supply of sweets on hand. Just reading about how Reese's peanut-butter cups are made, or the secrets of getting the M's just right on M&M's, or how the mystery of mixing milk and chocolate together was resolved, is enough to make your mouth water!

I just wish there were books as well-researched and show more well-written as this one on lots of other industries, too! show less

I read this book as part of an MBA program, and it was the only book I chose to NOT sell back to the bookstore! Not only was the book thoroughly researched, but it was a lot of fun to read. The insights into an industry that everyone knows but knows little about are enough to keep you from putting the book down. It was so interesting I even finished this one while on vacation at the beach.

And I highly recommend the reader have a good supply of sweets on hand. Just reading about how Reese's peanut-butter cups are made, or the secrets of getting the M's just right on M&M's, or how the mystery of mixing milk and chocolate together was resolved, is enough to make your mouth water!

I just wish there were books as well-researched and show more well-written as this one on lots of other industries, too! show less

I read this book as part of an MBA program, and it was the only book I chose to NOT sell back to the bookstore! Not only was the book thoroughly researched, but it was a lot of fun to read. The insights into an industry that everyone knows but knows little about are enough to keep you from putting the book down. It was so interesting I even finished this one while on vacation at the beach.

And I highly recommend the reader have a good supply of sweets on hand. Just reading about how Reese's peanut-butter cups are made, or the secrets of getting the M's just right on M&M's, or how the mystery of mixing milk and chocolate together was resolved, is enough to make your mouth water!

I just wish there were books as well-researched and show more well-written as this one on lots of other industries, too! show less

The edition of the book that I have (which I purchased at the Hershey Story Museum, no less!) is now nine years old, and some things have already changed that are brought up in the book - but the crux of the story is still the same, and some of it is absolutely fascinating.

Brenner does an excellent job breaking down a large amount of information into an easy to follow narrative, and as is usual in the truth v. fiction debate, you could simply not make some of these characters up.

I agree with majorbabs, you certainly end up eating more chocolate than you might normally while reading this book, and you will need to ensure a decent supply near at hand.

I disagree with Naberius, though. The first chapter really sets up the tone of the show more relationship as it now stands between the companies, and the interview with the GAO official is priceless!

Overall, a good read and I would recommend it to all who are interested in candy, turn of the 20th century business ethics, or corporate management theory. show less

A fascinating look into the origins and inside workings of the two big American chocolate companies. I learned so much about chocolate while reading this. Did you know that M and M's were invented for soldiers, as they would hold up longer without melting when carried on marches? Or that Hershey's has a slightly sour taste compared to many other chocolates, which has shaped the tastebuds of generations of Americans and continues to gross out many people abroad? Or that Milton Hershey founded a school and became very involved with running it, after being unable to have children himself? Now I'm hoping someone writes a similar book about Ghirardelli, Nestle and Cadbury. Enquiring minds want to know, right?

This was a very informative read. I've lived in Lancaster County my entire life and found out so much more about Milton Hershey than I ever did touring Hershey. Also, I work for a small confectionary company here and it was interesting to see the struggle both Mars and Hershey faced in their growth. The dichotomy between both men and the legacy they created really gives a great picture of what's possible in America with some dedication.

About: Brenner focuses on the tale of the cutthroat competition between the Mars and Hershey candy companies (who control 75% of the U.S. candy market) as well as provides an overview of this delicious industry and the history of chocolate.

Pros: Fascinating, well-written and has lots of great information such as:

* 90% of candy purchases are unplanned
* Mars only has one peanut butter product, peanut butter M&Ms because the Mars brothers hate peanut butter.
* The chocolate in M&Ms is designed so you'll eat lots of them at a time
* 3 Musketeers used to consist of 3 bars, chocolate, strawberry and vanilla but was changed to one chocolate bar after strawberry prices rose
* Different cultures prefer different qualities in their chocolate. show more Britons think that Hersheys is gritty and awful compared to their smoother Cadbury brand.
* Dove solid dark chocolate bars are made from a secret type of cocoa bean that Mars won't divulge
* Hershey has pretty much zero international presence. Someone from another country probably would have no idea about the brand
* Fittingly, candy corn was once called chicken feed

Will create a trip down memory lane with all the old candies brought up, like my missed favorite PBMax. I had no clue the candy business was so competitive and secretive.

Cons: Unsatisfying conclusion. Those looking for a book on candy will probably be disappointed as it is really a book about business. show less