Interesting, perhaps even important, but dry read (4-star Amazon Review)

By GSP, 24 June 2011
(London, UK)

Well, it's not an easy read - it was hard work for me to get into, but the subject matter of socially responsible enterprise is certainly of great interest to me, and this book is full of insights on it. 

It was slightly wider in scope to what I had expected, in that I thought it was going to be solely about companies where the social mission is a critical part of their DNA (like say, Kiva) as opposed to companies that practise some form of social responsibility/philanthropy but on the side in a way that isn't mission critical and of equal importance to the business of making a profit (like say, Goldman Sachs who donate quite generously to social causes and charities). This book covers both types, as well as a few others, and attempts to analyse the history and current state of corporate social responsibility, and then attempts to provide a manifesto for the future. 

Overall I'd say it's a very relevant, and perhaps even important book (and even fascinating - once engrossed in it). Most importantly, I like the fact that in addition to casting an honest and critical eye over the current state, the book is fundamentally optimistic and hopeful for the future - and actually useful in terms of trying to provide answers instead of just supplying a critique.