As many UPSers may be aware, there is a just released book about the first hundred years of UPS, titled "Big Brown - The Untold Story of UPS" by Greg Niemann. The book is fast-paced, engaging and easy to read. This reader was able to zip through it in one day. The book lives up to its title, as it is not a corporate puff piece written for the centennial. Although the general overall success of the company is the main theme, mistakes and warts are exposed as well. UPSers will be familiar with story itself, although the book offers a deeper insight into areas few will probably be aware of. The biographical sketch of Jim Casey for example, makes this book worth the price of admission. One can see what drove this man forward to achieve extremely high levels of success. There are also interesting stories about the other founders of the company, who are often overlooked because of Jim Casey's larger than life legacy. Furthermore, the book may even fill in a few holes about the history of the company. There are details in the text; this reader hasn't seen anywhere else.
The author has a website in his name - Greg Niemann where one can learn more about the author, how to order a copy for yourself and there is supplemental information for "Big Brown" as well. Overall, this book offers a realistic historical perspective for the past 100 years of service and every UPSer who decides to read this book should find a professional genealogical connection to the text. In fact, the book should serve as a trip down memory lane and the reader may even find oneself debating some of the issues the book tackles. For example, the Brown Cafe is cited on page 86 in the text and the author quotes a few posters commenting about the current state of the multi-employer pension plans. The author also outlines the current public vs. private debate many UPSers are having amongst themselves, as another example. The timing of the release of the book makes sense, as one should obtain a greater appreciation of how the company got where it is today and it is a compelling story worth knowing.
The author has a website in his name - Greg Niemann where one can learn more about the author, how to order a copy for yourself and there is supplemental information for "Big Brown" as well. Overall, this book offers a realistic historical perspective for the past 100 years of service and every UPSer who decides to read this book should find a professional genealogical connection to the text. In fact, the book should serve as a trip down memory lane and the reader may even find oneself debating some of the issues the book tackles. For example, the Brown Cafe is cited on page 86 in the text and the author quotes a few posters commenting about the current state of the multi-employer pension plans. The author also outlines the current public vs. private debate many UPSers are having amongst themselves, as another example. The timing of the release of the book makes sense, as one should obtain a greater appreciation of how the company got where it is today and it is a compelling story worth knowing.