Reading rank 111
The Man Who Sold America: The Amazing but True Story of Albert Lasker and the Creation of the Advertising Century
, subject: Albert Lasker biography and the development of modern advertising
A biography David uses to study how Albert Lasker turned clearer salesmanship, testing, and concentrated talent into a modern advertising system.
103
Coverage Score
8
Scored evidence
About the book
The biography follows Lasker's work at Lord & Thomas, including his use of reason-why advertising, while also covering his wider business, political, and philanthropic career.
Why read it
Best if you want a biography about the creation of modern advertising, reason-why copy, testing, talent concentration, and the business behind persuasion
Key themes
- Define The Industry's Real Job
- Test Before Assuming
- Concentrate The Best Talent
Evidence and original sources
David calls the book's story fantastic and recommends it to interested listeners.
- Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Bill Gates, Andy Grove, Bill Hewlett — David references recently covering this book about Albert Lasker while comparing recruiting approaches.
- Paul Van Doren (Founder of Vans) — David names The Man Who Sold America as the Albert Lasker biography covered a few episodes earlier.
- Albert D. Lasker (the creation of the advertising industry) — David introduces The Man Who Sold America as the book he is discussing in this episode.
- Johan Cruyff (A Life of Total Football) — David names the book alongside Albert Lasker's core advertising insight.
- Edward L. Bernays (Public Relations, Advertising, & Persuasion) — David says he and listeners discussed Albert Lasker via this book on episode 206.
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