The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret
World of Hershey and Mars
by
Joel Glenn Brenner
published by Random House, New York
1999
ISBN 0-679-42190-4
In 1989, while Joel Glenn Brenner was beginning her career with The Washington Post, I was beginning my career at Penn State University in chocolate research. At the time Ms. Brenner was gaining unprecedented access to the Mars organization, I remember hearing that Mars was moving from a "no-profile" company to a "low-profile" company. I can easily see why it took ten years to do the story justice, and believe the time was well spent.
This book could serve as a business school case study, one that the students would actually read and enjoy. David Greising of the Chicago Tribune, Mars' "hometown" newspaper, described the book as "remarkable," delivering an "engaging and authoritative look" and drawing "memorable portraits." Brenner portrays Mars and Hershey as a modern retelling of Issac and Ishmael. The kind of rivalry that can only come from a common ancestry.
Beyond Hershey and Mars, The Emperors of Chocolate is a history of the confectionery industry in the US. I had a hard time putting it down and believe I would have been just as engrossed if I didn't know the companies involved. As for the accuracy of the information, we just have to take Brenner's word for it, for few have had the opportunity to know the players as she has.
Greg Ziegler
Associate Professor
Penn State University