Synopsis
Why is so much of the world managed by arseholes? When workaholic business school hot shot Ben Stillman is fired, he has the chance to find out. Not a guy to sit still, Ben jumps head first into turning his former business school into a world-class madrassa of capitalism.
Ben has ten days to rescue the launch of its spectacular glass tower, and his own career – ten days during which he will have to confront terrorist plots, undercover police, the extravagant demands of the super-rich, and the only woman who can save him from this madness.
A satirical thriller, a love story, and a wry look at modern management ideology all rolled into one – MBA is a piercing yet hopeful enquiry into the meaning of success.
My review
This is an energetic, quirky and unforgiving exposé of the confused and self-congratulatory world of business and business management. Like the protagonist Ben, the author loves pushing things to their limits and beyond. In the author’s case it’s out of mischief but with Ben it’s out of an unrealistic sense of his own power.
We get sharp humour and no-holds-barred criticism, characters both admirable and awful, and an off-the-wall, or possibly off –the-glass-ceiling, story that’s wonderfully entertaining. This is a novel that jogs along at a smart pace, making you breathless as you eagerly absorb what craziness is currently taking place and looking forward to what’s coming next.
As well as satire there’s a thoughtful look at business ethics and reward, political influence, and morality. The business world hasn’t quite got its priorities right, when considered from a rational, detached perspective, but when you’re immersed in that world there’s a tendency to lose your grip on reality.
It’s an enjoyable romp with a serious message lurking underneath all the farce and high jinx. Definitely one to read.
Purchase Links
30% off with discount code BLOGTOURMBA http://eye-books.com/books/mba
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/MBA-Douglas-Board-ebook/dp/B00YS91B02
US – https://www.amazon.com/MBA-Douglas-Board-ebook/dp/B00YS91B02
Promotional Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=hUOs5YqqkBg
Promotional Videos
About the author
Douglas Board is the author of the campus satire MBA (Lightning Books, 2015), which asked why so much of the business world is Managed By Arseholes. Time of Lies, his second novel, is a timely exploration of the collapse of democracy.
Born in Hong Kong, he has degrees from Cambridge and Harvard and worked for the UK Treasury and then as a headhunter. He has also had a distinguished career in public life, serving as treasurer of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and chairing the British Refugee Council.
As well as writing fiction, he is the author of two applied research books on leadership, which was the subject of his doctorate. He is currently a senior visiting fellow at the Cass Business School in London. He and his wife Tricia Sibbons live in London and Johannesburg.
Social Media Links –
Twitter: @BoardWryter
https://douglasboard.com/home/
