"EFFECTIVENESS CAN BE LEARNED": FIRST EDITION OF THE EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE, INSCRIBED BY PETER DRUCKER

DRUCKER, Peter F. The Effective Executive. New York: Harper & Row, (1966). Octavo, original black cloth, original dust jacket. $7500.

First edition of this analysis of "the practices the executive must master in order to be truly effective," inscribed by Drucker on the front free endpaper, "To S— M. S—- in old friendship. Peter F. Drucker. With an autograph note from Drucker, on his printed stationery, that reads in part "effective executives have more urgent things to do than to read this book—and whether it'll help the others, I very much doubt… PD."

Born in Vienna, renowned political economist and prolific business writer Drucker earned a doctorate from Frankfurt University in 1931. He watched as fascism swept through Europe, which he chronicled in his first book, 1939's The End of Economic Man. He moved to London in 1933 to escape Nazism, eventually moving to the United States, where he held teaching posts at Sarah Lawrence College and Bennington College. "Peter Drucker's career as a writer, consultant and teacher spanned more than six decades. His groundbreaking work turned modern management theory into a serious discipline, and he influenced or created nearly every facet of its application, including decentralization, privatization, and empowerment, and coined such terms as the 'knowledge worker'" (Claremont Graduate University). In The Effective Executive, Drucker lays out the five habits or practices that are essential to effectiveness, noting that "the measure of the executive is the ability to 'get the right things done.' This usually involves doing what other people have overlooked as well as avoiding what is unproductive" (front flap). With "First Edition" stated on copyright page, as well as publisher's publication code "M-Q" indicating publication in December of 1966. With recipient's inkstamp beneath the inscription.

Book fine, minor wear to near-fine dust jacket. Very desirable inscribed by Drucker.