Pipe Dreams: Greed, Ego, and the Death of Enron
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Robert Bryce |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
Pipe Dreams: Greed, Ego, and the Death of Enron is a 2002 publication authored by Robert Bryce and released by PublicAffairs, featuring a foreword written by Molly Ivins.
Synopsis
Bryce’s Pipe Dreams details the ascent and collapse of Enron, emphasizing its ties to the presidential administrations of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. The narrative unveils a corporate environment dominated by rampant greed and unethical behavior among the company’s executives.
Reception
Fran Kelly from ABC characterized the book as an exposé of the "'Greed and sleaze'" underlying one of America’s most significant corporate failures, highlighting extravagant expenditures such as personal use of corporate jets and an annual $4 million spent on floral arrangements. Kelly also points out the executives’ active participation in Houston’s nightlife, underscoring the ethical lapses documented by Bryce.
According to Andrew Leonard of Salon.com, Bryce illustrates how various parties—including media, analysts, board members, and shareholders—facilitated Enron’s fraudulent ambitions. Analysts pursued investment banking opportunities, directors maintained business relationships with Enron, shareholders were motivated by soaring stock values, and the business media preferred celebrating success stories.
William J. Holstein from The New York Times emphasizes Bryce’s investigation into the enduring connections between President Bush, his father, and Enron CEO Kenneth L. Lay, highlighting Lay’s significant political influence.
See also
- Power Hungry: The Myths of "Green" Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future
- Gusher of Lies: The Dangerous Delusions of Energy Independence