The Second Curve: Thoughts on Reinventing Society

Description

The summation of a life's work, in which Handy considers what the future holds for society. Britain's leading guru looks to the future. Charles Handy is one of the giants of contemporary thought. His books on management - including Understanding Organizations and Gods of Management - have changed the way we view business. His work on broader issues and trends - such as Beyond Certainty - has changed the way we view society. In The Second Curve, Handy builds on a life's work to glimpse into the future and see what challenges and opportunities lie ahead. He looks at current trends in capitalism and asks whether it is a sustainable system. He explores the dangers of a society built on credit. He challenges the myth that remorseless growth is essential. He even asks whether we should rethink our roles in life - as students, parents, workers and voters - and what the aims of an ideal society of the future should be. Provocative and thoughtful as ever, he sets out the questions we all need to ask ourselves - and points us in the direction of some of the answers.

Charles Handy is an independent writer, broadcaster and teacher. He has been an oil executive, an economist, a professor at the London Business School, the Warden of St. George's House in Windsor Castle and the chairman of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce. He was born in Co. Kildare in Ireland, the son of an archdeacon, and educated in Ireland, England (Oxford University) and the USA (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). His many books include The Empty Raincoat, Understanding Organizations, Gods of Management, The Future of Work and Waiting for the Mountain to Move.

The bracing manifesto of a forward-looking radical ... The Second Curve successfully channels the energy and enthusiasm of the younger generation, in whom Handy places great hope ... Handy's prescience over the decades has earned him the right to dabble and, given his record, you would not want to bet against some of his radical ideas coming true. -- Andrew Hill * Financial Times * Gentle but incisive ... [Handy's] voice is a reassuring, challenging presence. We should continue to listen to it. * Management Today * This book will get you thinking. * Daily Telegraph * Compelling and scalable. * Edge * Strong and original... It is impossible not to be impressed and a little daunted by so much energy and wisdom. * Irish Independent *