What Other People are Saying
“‘...Le Deal’ is Mr. Murphy's picaresque memoir of a decade of deal making in Europe, most memorably in France, as he tries to scout out commercial sites, partner with local developers, meet the demands of politicians and bureaucrats, and generally bring a fresh idea to a place not exactly ready for it. It is a tale fraught with frustration and filled with insight...”[more]
— Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal Europe, France.
Outlet Stores? The Gall! Published August 9, 2008 in ”The Wall Street Journal”
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“Witty and a joy to read, this is a beautifully written book that combines the charm of A Year In Provence with the moxie of GE’s Jack Welch.”
— Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s Hardball and The Chris Matthews Show
“An American in Paris trying to sell a high-fashion idea to the French? Sounds crazy. And yet Byrne Murphy’s page-turner details . . . his trial-and-error-and-success approach to establishing his new venture . . . (the book) demonstrates not only why it is difficult for an American business to succeed in Europe, but how it can be accomplished and be a win-win for all.”
— Jorge I. Dominguez, Professor, Department of Government,
Harvard University
“The book is witty, fast-paced, well-written, and loaded with wisdom... I commend it to anyone contemplating a career in business, starting a firm, or going global. .. If you enjoyed Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence, you will find this similarly entertaining...” [more]
— Robert F. Bruner, Dean, Darden School of Business
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“Very highly recommended reading, "Le Deal" is a real life case study that combines a fascinating personal story with entrepreneurial and corporate insights that will well serve any who aspire to engage in commerce abroad...” [more]
Reviewed on Midwest Book Review
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“Along the way, the author learns what he, and Americans in general, do and do not know about life beyond our borders. The book ends with a message about the need for twenty-first-century Americans who work in international affairs to truly take “context” into account; to realize, in our quest to accomplish more in less time, that investing the time to understand the nuances of foreign cultures with which one may be working is a key to prospering in this multicultural, polyglot, interconnected, globalized world.” [more]
— Featured on "Everything Finance" Blog, Thursday, August 28, 2008
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“...His entertaining and fascinating story illustrates the pitfalls and rewards of building a highly successful enterprise in Europe. Murphy advises would-be American entrepreneurs in an international setting to ‘bring your American optimism with you, bring your drive, bring your 'can-do' attitude, but leave your hubris behind. Stick to your principles but put them in context.’ Highly recommended to both academic and public libraries.” [more]
—Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY
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“...He was faced with obstacles that would have driven off a lesser man, but he persevered, including taking a case up to the French Supreme Court and winning! For anyone thinking of setting up a business in Europe, this is must reading and fun to boot.” [more]
—Alan Caruba, Bookviews.com, October 2008
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“A naked plug for a terrific new book: called Le Deal (St Martin's Press), it centres on one property man's struggle to get permission to build a designer outlet centre near the French town of Troyes, south-east of Paris.” [more]
—Peter Bill, Evening Standard, February 2009
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