WELCH An American Icon

This feisty exposé of the former chief executive officer of General Electric, Jack Welch, is more about the company than the man. Lowe clearly admires her subject, even though his methods of making GE into a mega-corporation were often unethical. The secrets of his success are highlighted, though the dark maneuvers that made the triumphs possible are frequently glossed over. The events that led to GE's rise to power sound like an MBA crash course, but the overall presentation rings too much of outtakes from other Welch books. In spite of the flaws, for anyone who hasn't heard the tale of GE's phenomenal success, there are enough gossipy moments to make a listen worthwhile. M.T.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]