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A History Of The Firm

Unlock the exclusive story behind one of the world’s most influential consulting firms—McKinsey & Company. A History of the Firm is not a typical business book; it’s a deeply researched, privately published internal history, gifted to each McKinsey partner as a legacy of their shared ownership. This rare volume offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how the firm rose from uncertain beginnings in 1920s Chicago to become a global standard-setter in management consulting.

Explore how McKinsey explains the art of consulting and how to build a a professional institution.

Written with full access to internal archives and personnel, it reveals how values like professionalism, integrity, and client-first thinking shaped the firm’s culture—and continue to drive its impact worldwide. With inspiring stories of visionary leadership, reinvention through crisis, and a steadfast commitment to purpose over profit, this book offers timeless lessons for anyone interested in enduring excellence, strategic leadership, or the inner workings of elite institutions.

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Table of contents
Table of contents