Fran Hawthorne Libri

An in-depth look at big pharma's flagship company The Merck Druggernaut takes readers inside Merck, the world's second most profitable drug company and maker of the world's bestselling drug, Prilosec. Consistently named one of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Companies, Merck struggles to maintain its reputation for being the most ethical of the big drug makers, refusing to slash research and development budgets in the face of declining profits, falling stock market prices, and questionable accounting. Author Fran Hawthorne, one of the leading journalists covering healthcare, has written an excellent examination of a business paragon with much-needed insight on the cutthroat world of pharmaceuticals. It's a story that will interest the business world as well as consumer and healthcare advocates by detailing the vital issues in medicine and healthcare today. More than just a compelling story of success in a difficult industry, more than simply the biography of one of big business's most recognizable names, The Merck Druggernaut takes a thoughtful look at some of the major issues of our time and the way those issues intertwine with the world of business. Fran Hawthorne (New York, NY) is the Assistant Managing Editor at Crain's New York Business. She has been covering business for more than twenty years for such publications as Fortune, BusinessWeek, and Institutional Investor, with a prevailing interest in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. At Crain's, she spearheads the publication of two to three special healthcare issues per year.

For 50 years, Eleanor Ritter’s mother Rose has refused to talk about how she survived the Holocaust in Poland and ended up in New Jersey. But now – just as Rose breaks her hip and starts speaking in long-forgotten Polish – Eleanor learns that the parents of her nine-year-old son’s new friend are Polish Catholics, born and raised in that country. Eleanor starts digging into both families’ stories, jeopardizing her already shaky relationships with her mother, her husband, and her children, even as her obsession pushes her to confront the existential questions of American Jews – indeed, of any group that has faced historical persecution: How many generations does guilt carry on? What did your grandparents do to my grandparents?   

Exploring the complexities of modern consumerism, a veteran journalist and mother delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by today's shoppers. As society grapples with the impact of purchasing decisions on various global issues, she highlights the challenges of aligning personal values with everyday choices. Through her insights, Fran Hawthorne aims to address the overwhelming nature of these contradictions and encourage a deeper dialogue about ethical living in a politically conscious world.

Delving into the world of corporate admiration, the author employs her extensive investigative journalism experience to scrutinize six beloved companies: Apple, Starbucks, Trader Joe's, American Apparel, Timberland, and Tom's of Maine. Through her analysis, she reveals the underlying truths that contribute to their popularity, challenging readers to consider the real reasons behind the public's affection for these brands.