Bill Gates: A Biography

by Michael B. Becraft

Overview

The cofounder of Microsoft, Bill Gates helped transform society by ushering in the era of ubiquitous personal computing. This book examines the life and achievements of this standout American inventor and philanthropist.

Bill Gates has been instrumental in creating and developing the home computing era that has thoroughly transformed nearly every aspect of our lives, from work to commerce to communication. Stepping down as CEO of Microsoft in 2000 after 25 years at the helm, he remained as chairman, a position he still holds.

This book paints a vivid picture of Bill Gates that covers his early life and his years as an inquisitive and adventurous student to his experiences as a budding entrepreneur and billionaire philanthropist who has often been listed among the richest individuals in the world. Author Michael Becraft presents complete information on how Microsoft evolved, from the company's inception until Gates's departure from active leadership; documents the economic, ethical, financial, legal, management, and leadership applications inherent in Gates's work; and examines the criticism that Gates's actions and decisions have drawn throughout his career.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440830136
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/26/2014
Series:	Greenwood Biographies Series
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	623,452
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Michael B. Becraft, DM, is the Edward F. Lyle Professor of Finance and director of the graduate program in business for the Park University School of Business, with an office location in Kansas City, MO.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

Timeline: Events in the Life of Bill Gates xiii

Chapter 1 Bill Gates before Automated Computing 1

Chapter 2 Early Days in Computing 7

Chapter 3 Early Days of Microsoft 23

Chapter 4 Development of Products Used Today (1985-1998) 49

Chapter 5 Why Was Microsoft So Successful with Bill Gates? 69

Chapter 6 Microsoft Trial 75

Chapter 7 Steve Jobs and Bill Gates 107

Chapter 8 Bill Gates in Writings 113

Chapter 9 Family and Home of Bill 123

Chapter 10 Role in Corporate Governance, Activism, and Outside Interests of Bill Gates 135

Chapter 11 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Giving Pledge 145

Conclusion 169

Notes 171

Further Reading 191

Index 193

Editorial Reviews

With Bill Gates: A Biography Becraft has provided a concise, fairly thorough, and well-written biography of one of the most influential business leaders of the past 20 years. . . . The book is well written, with little or no obvious bias. . . . The introduction to the series included with this book states that it (and the rest of the series) is intended for public and school libraries. It would be well suited for these libraries, and could be useful in academic libraries serving community and junior colleges, as well as those supporting lower-level baccalaureate students.” —ARBA

From the Publisher