The story told in this book exemplifies the kind of narrative that I would enjoy in a film or TV series - although there is much to learn on the practical side of divestitures and acquisitions, it's worth noting also how there is a season for all things, and how senescence makes thorough (if not quick) work of everything.
Opening the book is a quick history of the Anheuser-Busch brewing company founded by a German immigrant family to St. Louis. Various types of men (all called August and sporting regnal numbers) headed the compan before and after it going public, showing that different personality types from bookish introverts to grippers and grinners can run a national beer empire.
In 2009, a team of hard-working Brazilian investment bankers crashes the Busch party and engages in a hostile takeover that never outwardly shows any signs of ill will - however, when faced with the slow exsanguination of a family legacy, the desperation shown by Busch III and IV is all-too palpable even for inexperienced folks like myself.
The book excellently portrays not only the history of the firm and its subsequent acquisition, but also the metaphorical layer of whale blubber covering everybody in the company. The culture suffered, and lessons are extracted regarding the reasons why the firm ended up in this situation.
Segments on poison pills, stalking horses and other M&A lingo are exquisite - the only thing I disliked about the book was the focus on Busch's planned acquisition of a Mexican brewer that is extremely densely written and not easily understandable, which muddies the comprehension somewhat.
9/10