first edition, first print

In English

Publisher: Idthekkethan Publishing Company, 1984

ISBN: 0-918347-00-9 (Wikipedia Book Sources) (Wikipedian kirjalähteet)
LCCN: 84-10805 (Library of Congress)

Osborne Computer Corporation shipped the world's first portable computer in July 1981. Less than a year later, in August 1982, the company had its first ten million dollar month. Its best quarter ever ended in February 1983, yet little more than six months later, in the midst of intense media coverage, the company went bankrupt.

What happened?

Adam Osborne and John Dvorak recount the complete history of Osborne Computer Corporation, from its improbable beginnings to its astonishing heights and the subsequent, equally improbable collapse. The authors provide startling revelations which suggest that there may have been more to the bankruptcy than met the eye.

In this fast-paced first-person account, Osborne spares no one - including himself. His observations are both provocative and controversial.

Table of Contents

PART 1 - THE RISE
Preface
Chapter 1: The Great Idea and How it Grew
Chapther 2: The Corporate Launch
The Question of Media
A Question of Retailing
Chapter 3: The Ball is Rolling
A Question of International Sales
Chapter 4: Crisis Time
Chapter 5: Boom Time
A Question of New Products
A Question of Pricing - The Hypergrowth Model
PART 2 - THE FALL
Chapter 6: New Management
Chapter 7: A Public Offering
A Question of Securities Law
Chapter 8: Collapse
A Question of Reserves
A Question of Inventory
Chapter 9: Some Explanations
PART 3 - THE AFTERMATH
Chapter 10: And Then
Chapter 11: The Future
Epilogue
Appendix A: Summary of Purchase Orders
Appendix B: Complete Financial Statements
Glossary: Key People