Understanding the Giants: A Reading List to Unveil Corporate Practices

In today's globalized world, few entities wield as much influence as multinational corporations like Kellogg's, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé. These behemoths touch nearly every aspect of our lives, from the breakfast tables and beverages we enjoy to the broader societal and environmental impacts they harbor. For those looking to understand the intricacies of corporate practices, their impacts on society, and the planet, we've compiled a critical reading list. These books shed light on the mechanisms of corporate power, offering insights into how and why it's crucial to stay informed and engaged.

Globalization and Corporate Greed

• No Logo" by Naomi Klein - Explores the negative effects of globalization and corporate greed on culture, work, and consumer choice.

• "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism" by Naomi Klein - Investigates how corporations exploit disasters to push through policies that benefit them at the expense of the public.

• "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins - A former economic hit man reveals how corporations and governments manipulate economies for profit.

• "Treasure Islands: Uncovering the Damage of Offshore Banking and Tax Havens" by Nicholas Shaxson - Exposes the global network of tax havens and their role in corporate greed and global inequality.

• "The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power" by Joel Bakan - Examines the legal status and behavior of corporations, depicting them as psychopathic entities driven solely by profit.

• "Capital in the Twenty-First Century" by Thomas Piketty - Analyzes wealth and income inequality in Europe and the United States since the 18th century and argues that the rate of capital return in developed countries is persistently greater than the rate of economic growth, leading to wealth inequalities.

• "The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins - Updates and expands on Perkins’s earlier work, revealing how corporate greed has become more pervasive.

• "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich - The author goes undercover to expose the impact of corporate greed on the working poor in America.

• "When Corporations Rule the World" by David C. Korten - Discusses the destructive effects of corporate globalization on democratic institutions, the environment, and quality of life.

• "This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate" by Naomi Klein - Argues that corporate greed and capitalism are at the heart of the climate crisis and that a radical economic transformation is needed.

• "The Divide: American Injustice in the Age of the Wealth Gap" by Matt Taibbi - Highlights the justice disparity in America, focusing on how corporations and the wealthy benefit at the expense of the poor.

• "Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism" by Ha-Joon Chang - Challenges the myth of neoliberal free trade, arguing that it often serves corporate interests to the detriment of developing countries.

• "Empire of Cotton: A Global History" by Sven Beckert - Traces the rise of global capitalism through the history of cotton, showcasing the exploitation and greed that fueled it.

• "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power" by Shoshana Zuboff - Explores how tech companies exploit personal data for profit, transforming the nature of capitalism.

• "Griftopia: Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, and the Long Con That Is Breaking America" by Matt Taibbi - A scathing look at the recent financial crises, focusing on the greed and corruption of Wall Street.

• "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser - Examines the local and global influence of the U.S. fast food industry, revealing the corporate greed driving it.

• "Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right" by Jane Mayer - Investigates how the wealthy use their money to influence politics for their own gain.

• "The Great Tax Robbery: How Britain Became a Tax Haven for Fat Cats and Big Business" by Richard Brooks - Details how corporations and the wealthy exploit tax systems to their advantage.

• "The End of Loyalty: The Rise and Fall of Good Jobs in America" by Rick Wartzman - Chronicles the decline of the social contract between corporations and workers, leading to rising inequality.

• "Billionaires: The Lives of the Rich and Powerful" by Darryl Cunningham - A graphic novel that examines the lives of billionaires and the impact of their wealth on society and democracy.

**Kelloggs **

• "The Kelloggs: The Battling Brothers of Battle Creek" by Howard Markel - This biography explores the lives of John Harvey and Will Keith Kellogg, their tumultuous relationship, and how they revolutionized the American breakfast landscape with the invention of cornflakes.
• "Kellogg Company: 100 Years of Innovation" by Horace Powell - A comprehensive look into the Kellogg Company's century-long journey, detailing its innovations in food production, marketing strategies, and global expansion.
• "Cerealizing America: The Unsweetened Story of American Breakfast Cereal" by Scott Bruce and Bill Crawford - While not solely about Kellogg's, this book offers insights into the cereal industry in America, including significant contributions and competition involving the Kellogg Company.
• "The Road to Wellville" by T.C. Boyle - A novel that provides a fictionalized account of John Harvey Kellogg's sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan. While it's more focused on storytelling, it offers a glimpse into the health movement of the time and the Kellogg's role in it.
• "Breakfast Cereal Bonanza" by Marty Gitlin - A fun and informative look at the history of breakfast cereal in America, with a significant portion dedicated to Kellogg's innovations and its impact on American culture.
• "The Battle Creek Sanitarium: Wellness in Michigan" by Kimberly O'Connell - Explores the history of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, founded by John Harvey Kellogg, and its influence on health and wellness culture, including its ties to the Kellogg Company.
• "John Harvey Kellogg, M.D.: Pioneering Health Reformer" by Richard W. Schwarz - A biography focusing on John Harvey Kellogg’s contributions to health, nutrition, and wellness, and his complex relationship with his brother and the company.
• "Cornflake Crusade" by Gerald Carson - Though broader in scope, this book delves into the rise of the cereal industry in the early 20th century, including detailed accounts of the Kellogg brothers' invention and its aftermath.
• "From Battle Creek to the World: The Growth of the Kellogg Company" by Norman Beasley - An older, yet insightful book detailing the rise of the Kellogg Company from its humble beginnings to becoming a global powerhouse.
• "Innovate Like Edison: The Success System of America's Greatest Inventor" by Michael J. Gelb and Sarah Miller Caldicott - While not exclusively about Kellogg's, this book includes examples of innovation and business strategies from the Kellogg Company, offering lessons on how they achieved success.

Each of these books provides a unique lens through which to view the Kellogg Corporation, from its historical roots in health and wellness to its status as a global food manufacturer. Whether you're interested in the personal dynamics of its founders, the cultural impact of breakfast cereal, or the company's business strategies, there's a wealth of information to explore.

Nestle

• "Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World's Greatest Chocolate Makers" by Deborah Cadbury - While focusing on the broader chocolate industry, this book offers insights into Nestlé's role in the global chocolate market and its competition with other giants.
• "Nestlé: 150 Years of Food and Beverages" by various authors - A comprehensive look at the history of Nestlé from its inception in 1866, detailing its growth into a global food and beverage leader.
• "Bitter Chocolate: Investigating the Dark Side of the World's Most Seductive Sweet" by Carol Off - This investigative work delves into the dark aspects of the chocolate industry, including child labor and exploitation, with mentions of Nestlé’s involvement and challenges.
• "The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars" by Joël Glenn Brenner - Though primarily about Hershey and Mars, this book provides context about the competitive landscape in which Nestlé operates, especially in the chocolate sector.
• "Eating Power: Food and Beverages That Make Politics" by Tom Nealon - Explores how companies like Nestlé have influenced food politics and policies around the globe, impacting both economics and consumer habits.
• "When the Rivers Run Dry: Water - The Defining Crisis of the Twenty-First Century" by Fred Pearce - Discusses global water issues, including Nestlé's controversial practices in bottled water extraction and its impact on local communities and ecosystems.
• "Not a Drop to Drink: America's Water Crisis (and What You Can Do)" by Ken Midkiff - Covers various water crises in the US, with a focus on corporate water usage, including criticism of Nestlé's bottled water practices.
• "Breaking the Chains: The Crusade of Dorothea Lynde Dix" by Penny Colman - While not directly about Nestlé, this book provides a broader look at corporate responsibility and advocacy, offering parallels to modern scrutiny of companies like Nestlé.
• "The Land Grabbers: The New Fight over Who Owns the Earth" by Fred Pearce - Examines the phenomenon of large corporations buying up vast tracts of land for resources, with Nestlé's practices mentioned in the context of securing water sources.
• "Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health" by Marion Nestle - No relation to the company, but this book discusses how large food companies, including Nestlé, influence nutrition policy and public health through lobbying and marketing.

These books range from histories and biographies to investigative journalism, offering a variety of perspectives on Nestlé's impact on the food industry, environmental concerns, and ethical considerations. They provide a nuanced understanding of the company's global footprint and the controversies surrounding its business practices.

** Coca-Cola**

• "For God, Country, and Coca-Cola: The Definitive History of the Great American Soft Drink and the Company That Makes It" by Mark Pendergrast - Offers an exhaustive history of Coca-Cola, covering its cultural, economic, and social impact on the world.
• "Citizen Coke: The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism" by Bartow J. Elmore - Examines how Coca-Cola has shaped global capitalism, focusing on its environmental and economic footprint.
• "The Real Thing: Truth and Power at the Coca-Cola Company" by Constance L. Hays - A detailed account of the internal workings, power struggles, and business strategies of the Coca-Cola Company.
• "Coca-Cola: An Illustrated History" by Pat Watters - Provides a visual and narrative history of Coca-Cola, highlighting its advertising, bottle evolution, and role in American society.
• "Design to Grow: How Coca-Cola Learned to Combine Scale and Agility (and How You Can Too)" by David Butler and Linda Tischler - Explores how Coca-Cola has managed to sustain its growth by adapting its brand and operations over time.
• "Secret Formula: How Brilliant Marketing and Relentless Salesmanship Made Coca-Cola the Best-Known Product in the World" by Frederick Allen - Delves into the marketing strategies and business decisions that propelled Coca-Cola to global dominance.
• "Coca-Cola: A Biography" by Michael Blanding - Offers an engaging look into the history, controversies, and global presence of Coca-Cola as a company and a brand.
• "The Coke Machine: The Dirty Truth Behind the World's Favorite Soft Drink" by Michael Blanding - Investigates the less savory aspects of Coca-Cola's business practices, including environmental issues and labor disputes.
• "Coca-Colonization and the Cold War: The Cultural Mission of the United States in Austria After the Second World War" by Reinhold Wagnleitner - While focused on post-WWII Austria, this book examines how Coca-Cola became a symbol of American culture and capitalism during the Cold War.
• "Fizz: How Soda Shook Up the World" by Tristan Donovan - Covers the broader history of soda, with significant insights into Coca-Cola's role in the beverage industry's evolution.
• "Cola Wars: A Social History of One of the World's Most Famous Industrial Disputes" by J.C. Louis and Harvey Z. Yazijian - Chronicles the intense rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi, offering insights into corporate competition and strategy.
• "Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning)" by Marion Nestle - Analyzes the political, health, and environmental issues surrounding the soda industry, with Coca-Cola as a central figure.
• "God in a Cup: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Coffee" by Michaele Weissman - Explores the world of specialty coffee and its critiques of mass-market brands like those owned by Coca-Cola.
• "Inside Coca-Cola: A CEO's Life Story of Building the World's Most Popular Brand" by Neville Isdell with David Beasley - Offers a personal look into the leadership and challenges faced by one of Coca-Cola's CEOs.
• "American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company" by Bryce G. Hoffman - Though focused on Ford, this book provides comparative insights into American corporate culture, including companies like Coca-Cola.
• "Killer Colas: The Hard Truth About Soft Drinks" by Nancy Appleton and G.N. Jacobs - Examines the health implications of soft drinks, with Coca-Cola often cited due to its market dominance.
• "The East India Company: The World's Most Powerful Corporation" by Tirthankar Roy - While not about Coca-Cola directly, this book offers historical context for understanding global corporations' impact.
• "The Empire of Business" by Andrew Carnegie - Provides foundational knowledge on business practices that can be applied to understand Coca-Cola's global strategy.
• "Soft Drink, Hard Labour: Guatemalan Workers Take on Coca-Cola" by Deborah Barndt - Focuses on labor issues within Coca-Cola's supply chain, emphasizing workers' rights and corporate responsibility.
• "Inventing Reality: The Politics of the Mass Media" by Michael Parenti - Explores how corporations, including Coca-Cola, use media to shape public perception and maintain their brand image.

These books offer various perspectives on Coca-Cola, from its historical origins and cultural impact to critiques of its business practices and discussions on health and environmental concerns.