The Executive's Almanac

Eclectic is the word for this small, entertaining reference book, in which Moskowitz, who has spent 50 years in business journalism, compiles facts and foibles of interest to the business-minded reader. Along with ""Top Ten"" (or ""Top Five,"" or ""Top Hundred"") lists on subjects as diverse as ""U.S. Philanthropists,"" ""CEO Golfers"" and ""U.S. Stocks You Should Have Bought in 2000,"" there are odd facts about the movie star who has made the most money in a TV commercial (Nicole Kidman), how companies divided their 2004 political contributions, and numerous profiles of companies and business leaders. These tales are both inspiring and mind-boggling, including such recurring topics as ""Fratricides,"" about family businesses gone sour (the Pritzkers, the Dassler brothers), and ""Whatever Happened To"" segments on notable companies that have fallen off the radar (Borden, International Harvester). Rounded out by reports on the progress of women in corporations, peaks into industries like wine and pharmaceuticals, plenty of who-owns-whom and a double smattering of pompous business quotes, this is a fine, fun, fascinating little book.