One from Many

Far more than a riveting inside story of the creation of VISA—now the largest commercial enterprise on earth—<i>One from Many</i> is an absorbing story of personal and institutional transformation. Lyrical, profound, often humorous, it explores the ever-increasing change, complex societal problems, and failing institutions that confront us all. Dee Hock chronicles the emergence of a new form of organization that blends chaos and order, which may be critical to a livable future, and shows how it is emerging in such effective organizations as VISA, the Internet, World Weather Watch, and Alcoholics Anonymous. A beautiful blend of history, biography, and philosophy, <i>One from Many</i> not only challenges the way we think about organizations, management, and our relationship to the natural world, it's a rollicking fine story as well. Far more than a riveting inside story of the creation of VISA—now the largest commercial enterprise on earth—<i>One from Many</i> is an absorbing story of personal and institutional transformation. Lyrical, profound, often humorous, it explores the ever-increasing change, complex societal problems, and failing institutions that confront us all. Dee Hock chronicles the emergence of a new form of organization that blends chaos and order, which may be critical to a livable future, and shows how it is emerging in such effective organizations as VISA, the Internet, World Weather Watch, and Alcoholics Anonymous. A beautiful blend of history, biography, and philosophy, <i>One from Many</i> not only challenges the way we think about organizations, management, and our relationship to the natural world, it's a rollicking fine story as well.