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

Interesting history of the Giants Hershey and Mars, tho it left me wondering what happened next as the last chapter had some unanswered questions.

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.