Inside Arthur Andersen

June 2, 2003
Much has been written about Arthur Andersen and the collapse of Enron, but this book is perhaps the most ridiculous take of all. Packaging itself as an insiders' account of one of the greatest unravelings in memory, this book is instead largely a weak, uninteresting recitation of corporate history. The authors--"former Andersen insiders"--do run through the Enron affair in the first chapter, but with no more of an exclusive approach than any general press reports on the scandal. Some of this section is a defense of Andersen, and how it's exceedingly difficult for an auditor to cut through a client's outright deception. A fair point, and in retrospect, Andersen did take on more blame than it was due. But the book then segues into press release-style tales of the firm's founder and never recovers. It's easy to see why former Andersen employees would want to write a tell-all, but these authors don't tell much of anything.

June 1, 2003
Much has been written about Arthur Andersen and the collapse of Enron, but this book is perhaps the most ridiculous take of all. Packaging itself as an insiders' account of one of the greatest unravelings in memory, this book is instead largely a weak, uninteresting recitation of corporate history. The authors--"former Andersen insiders"--do run through the Enron affair in the first chapter, but with no more of an exclusive approach than any general press reports on the scandal. Some of this section is a defense of Andersen, and how it's exceedingly difficult for an auditor to cut through a client's outright deception. A fair point, and in retrospect, Andersen did take on more blame than it was due. But the book then segues into press release-style tales of the firm's founder and never recovers. It's easy to see why former Andersen employees would want to write a tell-all, but these authors don't tell much of anything.

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