Product Description

We are faced with a tug-of-war between our desire for a separate identity and our need for combination. We want to be ourselves, but, to survive in a bigger world, we also need to be part of something bigger. Fleas need elephants, just as elephants need fleas to keep them alert and dancing. This applies to my own life story, as I found elephants too imprisoning to my eventual freedom as a flea. But the idea also applies to economies who need both, to business, which has to structure itself to allow fleas to co-exist with the elephants, to society which needs to encourage individualism but needs the conformity of the elephant, to education, to religion, to marriage and other relationships, and to all people seeking to structure their lives.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115503 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Charles Handy is always a delight to read, and The Elephant and the Flea--his autobiography-laced analysis of business over the past two decades--is no exception. In his 13th book, the United Kingdom's pre-eminent sage on commercial and industrial matters looks within and at education, marriage, religion and society in order to assess the changing nature of employment. His literate and knowledgeable tale begins in 1981, when Handy decided to exchange a safe but stifling life with a corporation (the "elephant" of his title) for the riskier but potentially more rewarding existence of an independent (or "flea"). Mixing diverse experiences with cogent observations on the evolving workplace, he sets the scene for plausible projections about where we might yet be headed. "Just as the signs were there 20 years ago for those who wished to see them, so I believe we can glimpse the shape of the new capitalist world even if it may take another 20 years to develop," he writes. "We may not like what is coming but we would be foolish to think that we can plan our lives, or our children's lives, without giving some thought to the shape of the stage on which we and they will be strutting". Intensely personal yet remarkably universal, the result is another provocative, illuminating and enjoyable book from the oil executive turned bestselling author.--Howard Rothman

Review
This book is hard to categorize, but that is to compliment not to criticize. Charles Handy was in industry before working as a professor at the London Business School and he then became well known as a writer and commentator. His books tend to have quirky titles (The Age of Unreason and The Empty Raincoat are earlier examples) and this is no exception: the elephant of this title is a metaphor for an organization and the flea for an individual. Business books can do many things: explore issues, set out guidelines, increase knowledge and change attitudes. Initially Handy's book sounds different. It is largely autobiographical, describing the author's career from 1981 onwards when he left the organizational world and 'became a flea'. Yet as he catalogues his life and work, in wonderfully readable and anecdotal style, he also explains and inspires. The book provides a powerful insight into the mind and philosophy of a seminal figure of the business world, and Handy's ideas and predictions about the world of work are both thoughtful and thought-provoking. This is an enjoyable, endearing and stimulating read. It will make you reflect, laugh and, above all, think. And you might just find Handy's thoughts and attitudes rubbing off on you and directly affecting your future actions. In a busy life reading such a book may not seem like a priority. But you should make it one. (Kirkus UK)

Sunday Times, 9th September, 2001
His appeal stretches beyond the business classes and he has a spiritual quality unlike other management writers.

Customer Reviews

an enjoyable and at times illuminating book
Unlike other business books this one has the advantage of being an easy and fast read. Because it it at times autobiographical, it is one of those books you may read on your couch and not necessarily at your desk. It gives you illuminating insights into what the business worls has become and how it may evolve. I found it thought provoking and at times truly inspiring.

A Paean in honour of the life of a freelance.
This personal yet not especially innovative work is written primarily in a reflective and autobiographical manner. Through out this easy-going and unchallenging work, Handy uses the changes in his own life to illustrate the possibilities for our own lives and his hopes for working life in the future.

His characteristic use of metaphor, eloquent language and friendly paternal manner make for an enjoyable and endearing read.

The elephant and the flea does not throw up any ideas that have not been expressed in Handy's earlier (and far more insightful) works, but, I feel this is not the point.

The elephant and the flea, although Handy's latest text, would serve those unaccustomed to his books extremely well as an introduction to his way of thinking, reasoning and perspective on life, work and family.

Read The elephant and the flea, understand the history of the man and then you must read, The age of unreason, The empty raincoat et al..

Confused Handy
The book is mostly an authobiography and reflection on Handy's religion. Handy clearly had no real thoughts on the Internet age bursting since he both said it was good and bad . I think he wrote half before and the other half after. The last couple of chapters are new material, he describes the concepts of the balance of work, hope life and charity work. This is all done through example to himself. Quite thought provoking on how to structure your life but easily said from one who gets royalties for so many books. This all would have been better written earlier in his life. Still worth reading, one of the best social scientists in the world.