Product Description

"Backman really understands why business evolved the way it did in Asia."––Economist
"Backman′s brisk analysis . . . should be required reading. The real strength of Asian Eclipse is its accessibility to nonspecialists through its startling insights into the business interests, machinations, and relationships."––Independent (London)
"The research and reporting is impressive and up–to–date . . . it′s a pleasure to read, rich in anecdotes and never boring or academic."––Far Eastern Economic Review
Named one of the finest general nonfiction books of 1999 by the Economist, Asian Eclipse was the first book to comprehensively assess the corporate and business practices in Asia. This revised and updated edition features a new chapter on the Internet and e–commerce in Asia and updates on current markets and events.
Michael Backman (Australia) is a leading researcher specializing in Asian corporate practice and a regular contributor to numerous leading newspapers and magazines.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40757 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 350 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
"Asia can be a crazy place" and conducting business in this region often means "grappling with cronies, corruption and conglomerates" according to author Michael Backman. In his book, Asian Eclipse, he takes us over the proverbial "Chinese wall" to reveal the bribery and corruption rife in the Eastern corporate world.

Delving into what constitutes "Asianess", he exposes a highly complex corporate landscape--one where Confucian thinking pervades all aspects of business culture; bankruptcy is considered an affront to one's ancestors; the media are threatened with closure for reporting on "sensitive" issues; patriarchal management and nepotism are the norm, often ending in costly family disputes; and auditing and corporate governance are new concepts! Through a thorough analysis of the different Asian markets, he lays bare the structurally inherent flaws that led to widespread economic crises in 1997-98. In his view, "the real Asian 'miracle' is that the economic collapse didn't happen earlier."

Packed with detail this book should be the bible for anyone considering doing business in Asia, but is also accessible to the lay reader. The chapters end with excellent case-studies which provide rare and fascinating insights into some of the more shady corporate practices in the region, including President Suharto's ventures, and also the contributors to Clinton's 1996 campaign funds. Backman recounts many incidents from first-hand experience, reflecting the wealth of knowledge he has accumulated from his extensive time in Asia.--Neelam Dongha

The Economist, 4th December 1999
- selected as one of the reviewers' favourites in General Non Fiction - "Michael Backman gets his hands dirty by delving into many of the region's corporate and political dynasties, and dishes up plenty of astonishing dirt. The bonus is that he really understands why business evolved the way it did in Asia."

From the Inside Flap
Asia′s vast markets suggest great promise but many business people and investors have found only disappointment in the region. Asian Eclipse presents a daring and entertaining account of the realities of business in Asia today.

The exotic East, the mystical Orient... the book has none of this. Instead Asian Eclipse shines a light of rare intensity on Asia′s economies, subjecting them to the degree of scrutiny and transparency that any economies with aspirations of modernity must be prepared to accept.

Among the hard–hitting chapters in this revised paperback edition are:

• An entirely new chapter on the bright and dark side of the Internet and e–commerce in Asia
• The realities of corruption in Asia – Bureaucrats, Bribery, and Bankruptcy
• What′s Wrong with Japan?
• China: Rising Star or Black Hole?
• The casinos that are Asia′s stock markets
• The corruption and nepotism of Indonesia′s senior political families

Other books present only the good news and the cliches – the billion consumers, the enormous potential – but Asian Eclipse balances the good news with the dark side, what can and often does go wrong and why. The cronies, the conglomerates, and the poor corporate governance – the author is unrelenting in his searching analysis. No one should invest or attempt business in Asia without first reading Asian Eclipse.

Customer Reviews

well research and easy to read
A highly informative account of all the problems that can be encountered in corporate Asia. Backman's style is witty and irreverent. The book is filled with case studies and pulls no punches when it comes to naming names. It's unusual to come across a business book that is actually a real page turner. I bought it as a reference but started to read it and before long had actually finished it. I'm very happy to recommend this book.

It is an informative book, that's all!
The author too easily comes to the conclusion that everything that happens in Asia is bad. That is not true. He wrote a book 5 years ago (Overseas Chinese Business Networks in Asia) also about business in Asia and praised the business environment there. Now, he simply ignored what he had written and "cursed" Asia and predicted the doom of this region. Nevertheless, it is a very informative book for those interested in knowing about recent scandals in Asia. Too bad, the conclusion is too harsh. There must be something good about it.