Magee, a columnistat the Chattanooga Times Free Press, ably chronicles the rise of leading auto manufacturer Toyota and the underlying principles that led to its ascendancy. From lean production to a long-term focus to specialized philosophies like kaizen (a system of continuous improvement in which instances of waste are eliminated one by one) and genchi genbutsu (a belief in practical experience over theoretical knowledge), Magee documents each contributing factor in Toyota's success. Going back as far as Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda's father Sakichi Toyoda, a successful inventor who inspired and financed the car company's first operations, Magee takes the reader through the company's current challenges and achievements. While he delivers some fresh ideas on how to foster innovation within a particular industry, his overwhelming praise for Toyota's methods reads suspiciously like hagiography, despite his frequent assurances that he wrote the book in complete objectivity with no involvement or influence from the company. Still, this work will interest those involved in the automotive world or similar industries. (Nov. 1) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Drawing from firsthand interviews worldwide, Magee (The John Deere Way) presents an insightful history of how Toyota's dynamic organizational culture propelled a small family-run loom company to superstardom as a top-ranked Fortune Global 500 company and automotive-industry leader. Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota, was profoundly influenced by the books of the Victorian age Scottish reformist Samuel Smiles, once greatly known for his books such as Self-Help, Thrift, and Duty. By telling the Toyoda and Toyota story, Magee has in fact created another self-help book that individuals as well as corporations can follow in learning the methods that Toyota used to improve itself. Magee's research shows how Toyota has identified specific organizational goals and values that drive performance, such as continuous improvement and respect for people. These values and goals have recently been summarized by Toyota in written guidelines called the "Toyota Way." Magee shows how the Toyota Way translates directly into profits and competitive advantage. Quirky chapter titles, such as "The Power of Paranoia" and "Let Failure Be Your Teacher," also reflect the company's unusual values. This inspirational book is essential reading for both human resource professionals and business executives and is definitely suitable for public library audiences as well. Caroline Geck, Kean Univ. Lib., Union, NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

*Starred Review* Magee, newspaper columnist for the Chattanooga Times Free Press, has previously written on companies such as John Deere, Ford, and Nissan. A huge success story in an industry mired in financial problems and uncertainly, Toyota's management system is often imitated but rarely, if ever, duplicated, because the precepts of the Toyota Way are deeply ingrained at all levels of the organization and cannot be implemented piecemeal. Magee found that the philosophy began early on with founder Sakichi Toyoda, who applied the principles of self-help and humanity to his innovative loom inventions. His attitude is reflective today in the company's commitments to excellence, humility, equality among workers, and the environment. While other companies pay lip service to putting the customer first, Toyota actually does it, even overengineering their cars in the strive for perfection. Somewhat the antithesis of Detroit's lumbering giants, GM,Chrysler, and Ford, Toyota takes a long-term approach rather than focusing on passing trends. Magee provides an excellent view of a shining business model that encompasses not only Toyota's highly espoused lean production system but also its leadership values and unique corporate culture. Siegfried, David. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.