Deals from Hell: M&A Lessons that Rise Above the Ashes

• Publisher:   Wiley
• Number Of Pages:   430
• Publication Date:   2009-04-13
• ISBN-10 / ASIN:   0470452595
• ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780470452592

A detailed look at the worst M&A deals ever and the lessons learned from them It's common knowledge that about half of all merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions destroy value for the buyer's shareholders, and about three-quarters fall short of the expectations prevailing at the time the deal is announced. In Deals from Hell, Robert Bruner, one of the foremost thinkers and educators in this field, uncovers the real reasons for these mishaps by taking a closer look at twelve specific instances of M&A failure. Through these real-world examples, he shows readers what went wrong and why, and converts these examples into cautionary tales for executives who need to know how they can successfully navigate their own M&A deals. These page-turning business narratives in M&A failure provide much-needed guidance in this area of business. By addressing the key factors to M&A success and failure, this comprehensive guide illustrates the best ways to analyze, design, and implement M&A deals. Filled with in-depth insights, expert advice, and valuable lessons gleaned from other M&A transactions, Deals from Hell helps readers avoid the common pitfalls associated with this field and presents them with a clear framework for thinking about how to make any M&A transaction a success.

This was a gift I did not read it. However the man I putchased it for
was so happy to have it.
Very pleased with this service.
Thank you,
Joyce Boyer

Easy read, with case studies of failed mergers and acquisitions contrasted with successful M & A. Allows the reader to get a good overview of causes of failures in M & A without getting too technical.

"Deals From Hell" contains a lot of very useful information, but it is sometimes organized in ways that distract from, rather than augmenting, the material. For instance, I couldn't bring myself to buy into Bruner's metaphorical assertion that all mergers and acquisitions are local, which he uses as the foundation of a framework for evaluating "the neighborhood" in which a merger takes place. Also: while each of the case studies is interesting, some support his themes better than others. One or two of them seem out of place in this book. The author does a great job of driving home his six factors present in most failed mergers, providing examples of each of those factors in the case studies he provides. Don't let the criticisms keep you from reading this informative book.

This is a very great book. After a few chapters about the major common mistakes in M&A where he provides a framework for M&A failures, he studies a few cases i ndetail, why these M&A did not work. And he always gives a counterpoint, an example of a M&A, in the same conditions, where they worked. Very interesting!

For anyone who has been in thegame for a while, it brings back memories. It is a quick read and a wonderful refresher. I highly recommend the book. Andrew M

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