Hershey, Michael DAntonio
Hershey, Michael DAntonio
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Hershey
Milton S. Hershey's Extraordinary Life of Wealth, Empire, and Utopian Dreams

Author: Michael D'Antonio

Narrator: Jonathan Yen

Unabridged: 13 hr 34 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 01/17/2019


Synopsis

The name Hershey evokes many things: chocolate bars, the company town in Pennsylvania, one of America's most recognizable brands. But who was the man behind the name? In this compelling biography, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Michael D'Antonio gives us the real-life rags-to-riches story of Milton S. Hershey, a largely uneducated businessman whose idealistic sense of purpose created an immense financial empire, a town, and a legacy that lasts to this day.

Hershey, the son of a minister's daughter and an irresponsible father who deserted the family, began his career inauspiciously when the two candy shops he opened both went bankrupt. Undeterred, he started the Lancaster Caramel Company, which brought him success at last. Eventually he sold his caramel operation and went on to perfect the production process of chocolate to create a stable, consistent bar with a long shelf life . . . and an American icon was born.

Hershey was more than a successful businessman—he was a progressive thinker who believed in capitalism as a means to higher goals. He built the world's largest chocolate factory and a utopian village for his workers on a large tract of land in rural Pennsylvania, and used his own fortune to keep his workers employed during the Great Depression. In addition, he secretly willed his fortune to a boys' school and orphanage, both of which now control a vast endowment.

Extensively researched and vividly written, Hershey is the fascinating story of this uniquely American visionary.

About Michael D'Antonio

As part of a team of journalists from Newsday, Michael D'Antonio won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting before going on to write many acclaimed books, including Atomic Harvest and The State Boys Rebellion. He has also written for Esquire, the New York Times Magazine, and Sports Illustrated.


Reviews

Goodreads review by carl on January 17, 2024

The best lesson to learn from Milton S Hershey’s life was that he was initially good at failing. With his family tired of giving him money, or broke, to run his candy stores, he kept at it one way or another. He finally did make a respectable living making confections, but he thought it was a fad a......more

Goodreads review by Blaine on March 26, 2015

Outstanding book about Milton Hershey and the company and Utopia he created. Being from about 50 miles away from Hershey, PA made this book even more fascinating. Lots of facts about the man, the company, the school and town he created. Author got information from non-Hershey sources which helped fl......more

Goodreads review by Richard on November 27, 2011

A good solid biography of a man who was a lot more interesting than I had ever realized. As I was reading the book, I found myself thinking of Milton Hershey as a benevolent dictator. Then, late in the book, someone was quoted as saying that the town of Hershey was a "philanthropic dictatorship" whi......more

Goodreads review by Mary on September 16, 2019

It was interesting to read about the life of Milton Hershey and how the Hershey empire was formed. Mr. Hershey was a brilliant entrepreneur and philanthropist. It is good to see his spirit still lives on in Hershey, PA. I have read one other book by this author and in both books he tends to present......more

Goodreads review by Alex on July 18, 2024

A fun book on Hershey. It focuses more on the person and school than the company, but still a good read......more