Bata: Shoemaker to the World

by Thomas J. Bata

"Bata - shoemaker to the world" is the story of the man, his family and their business. Eloquently told and rich in anecdotes, it traces the road from the Bata family's humble beginnings in a Moravian village to Tom's undisputed claim to the title of shoemaker to the world. His entrepreneurial upbringing, his fight for control of the family enterprise, his unique partnership with his wife and the way he went about implementing his business philosophy add up to one of the great success stories of the twentieth century.

"I am by nature a gregarious guy. I love being with people from all walks of life, and though I was parents' only child, I was seldom alone. All my life I have been surrounded by friends, fellow workers, colleagues, customers and members of my family. [...] Almost every time I say "I", I should by rights be saying "we"... " Thomas J. Bata.

Genres: Audiobook, Business, Nonfiction

341 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1990

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bata's story spans more than a century of European history and one company's attempt to build a thriving global business in an era of the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, World War One, the creation of Czechoslovakia, the rise of the Nazis, World War Two, the arrival of the Communists in eastern Europe and the fall of the Iron Curtain. Thomas Bata's tale is well-told. He intermixes his personal story, an early education in England and Switzerland, moves to England and Canada, war-time work for Allied countries, and rebuilding the Bata Shoe Corporation after WW II, with insights into economic and political life in many countries. Bata was obviously a champion at networking. He never forget a meeting and used his connections well to keep his company afloat. His story is a reminder of how political extremes destroy economies and make life miserable for many.

[Mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the man, his family and their shoe business. Eloquently told and rich in anecdotes, it traces the road from the Bata family's humble beginnings in a Moravian village to Tom's undisputed claim to the title of shoemaker to the world. His entrepreneurial upbringing, his fight for control of the family enterprise, his unique partnership with his wife and the way he went about implementing his business philosophy add up to one of the great success stories of the twentieth century.