Why do some initiatives take off while others founder? How have some communities managed to achieve so much while others struggle? What distinguishes the good companies from the bad? Looking at some of the world's greatest success stories, Hamish McRae sheds a fascinating light on 'what works' and why.

Ken Fisher has written the monthly "Portfolio Strategy" column for Forbes magazine for the last 25 years, making him, so far, the fourth longest-running columnist in the magazine's history. This book is a collection of his columns from 1984-2004.