Russ Banham
"America's Corporate Historian"
Best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize-nominated financial journalist, Russ Banham is widely considered to be the world’s foremost corporate historian. Russ has written the histories of many of the largest, best-known companies and institutions in the world like Boeing, Ford, Coors, Bosch, Airstream and Harvard Business School, as well as the histories of many midsized and family-owned companies.
The veteran business journalist also has written more than six thousand feature articles for dozens of business publications, including Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Financial Times, Inc., Chief Executive, Fortune and The Economist.
What clients say
HIGHER
For our centennial, we wanted to work with an author who could write a book that engaged and inspired our employees, customers, communities and everyone that is a part of – or an enthusiast of – Boeing and aerospace. The book needed to show how Boeing fit into, and often led, a century’s worth of global growth, technological revolutions, and economic shifts to become the world's leading aerospace company. We’re happy to say Russ Banham did it and did it very well.
For our centennial, we wanted to work with an author who could write a book that engaged and inspired our employees, customers, communities and everyone that is a part of – or an enthusiast of – Boeing and aerospace. The book needed to show how Boeing fit into, and often led, a century’s worth of global growth, technological revolutions, and economic shifts to become the world's leading aerospace company. We’re happy to say Russ Banham did it and did it very well.
JAMES MCNERNEY
CEO and chairman, The Boeing Company
THE FORD CENTURY
Russ’s writing conveyed the story of Ford’s rich heritage and history in a very interesting and memorable way. We couldn't thank him enough for his fine work.
Russ’s writing conveyed the story of Ford’s rich heritage and history in a very interesting and memorable way. We couldn't thank him enough for his fine work.
BILL FORD JR.
Chairman, Ford Motor Company
PROBLEM SOLVING: HBS ALUMNI MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD
Russ was a skillful alumni interviewer and the consummate professional throughout the manuscript development process. His talent for crafting stories and bringing situations to life have made an indelible mark on this book.
Russ was a skillful alumni interviewer and the consummate professional throughout the manuscript development process. His talent for crafting stories and bringing situations to life have made an indelible mark on this book.
HOWARD STEVENSON
Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School
THE FIGHT FOR FAIRFAX: PRIVATE CITIZENS AND PUBLIC POLICYMAKING
The foresight of many business, political, and community leaders made northern Virginia the economic engine that it has become. Banham’s book best tells the story of how that happened and what it means for the future of Virginia.
The foresight of many business, political, and community leaders made northern Virginia the economic engine that it has become. Banham’s book best tells the story of how that happened and what it means for the future of Virginia.
TERRY MCAULIFFE
72nd Governor of the State of Virginia
Want to publish your corporate history?
Incomparable Books has you covered!
Like other publishers of commemorative corporate, institutional, and academic histories, Incomparable Books manages the entire process from the initial concept to distribution.
The difference is the superior quality of our writing, editing, and design. We prioritize artistic merit and literary excellence, striving for the highest standard of creativity to capture your story in the most compelling manner.
The company is managed directly by Russ Banham and his team, enabling personalized, innovative, and hands-on client services.
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What Others Say
The two books Russ wrote about Coors and Coorstek capture both companies’ fascinating histories comprehensively and compellingly.
BILL COORS JR.
Former Chairman & CEO, Coors Brewing Company
Russ is one of the best business journalists in the world, a well-respected writer whose sharp understanding of global economics, risk management, technology, and the inner workings of businesses puts him in a rare league. His two-dozen books about the world’s greatest companies have made him America’s corporate historian.
RICK PULLEN
Editor-in-Chief, Leader’s Edge Magazine
I had the pleasure to work with Russ Banham in the 1980s as executive editor of The Journal of Commerce, a national five-day a week business newspaper owned by Knight-Ridder, Inc. It was an exciting time. In 1987, Mr. Banham, reporter and Insurance Editor, broke a news story that the U.S. State Department was suing American International Group, Inc. (AIG) to recoup an insurance claim of $136 million. In 1979, the U.S. State Department began building a new embassy in Moscow using supports supplied by Soviet workers. In 1987, the U.S. State Department reportedly discovered that as construction was about to be completed for the embassy, the supports had Soviet listening devices embedded throughout. The USSR denied this was the case. Nevertheless, the U.S. government demanded that the building be torn down. Mr. Banham filed a request through the Freedom of Information Act to receive the insurance policy, which was heavily redacted. He learned that AIG was reinsured for all losses by Ingostrakh, the Soviet state insurer. In his news articles, Mr. Banham questioned why the Soviets would bug the U.S. Embassy knowing that if the devices were discovered the building would be torn down at their cost. A high-ranking former U. S. Defense Department official confirmed Mr. Banham’s suspicions that there were no listening devices. The reporting by Mr. Banham resulted in major media throughout the world reporting on the Soviet’s alleged bugging the newly constructed embassy in Moscow. Finally, in 1991 the U. S. Embassy in Moscow was opened but not until the Soviet Union had been reduced to Russia and the U. S. State Department had invested another $240 million. To do away with the alleged listening devices, the U.S. Embassy had to tear down the original building and begin building anew. As executive editor of The Journal of Commerce, I submitted to the Pulitzer Prize Committee in 1985 Mr. Banham’s initial reporting of the insurance claim against AIG and the bugging of the Moscow embassy and subsequent reporting by him on this debacle. I was informed that our submission made it to the finals that year.
STANFORD ERICKSON
FORMER EXECUTIVE EDITOR, THE JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
“Wonderful,” “interesting,” “well-written” are just a few of the adjectives being used to describe our 100-year history book. It is a masterpiece that will live for another 100 years.
CHRISTINE SEARS
President and CEO, Penn National Insurance
Russ is a total professional able to work quickly and efficiently with the most senior management to piece together the history, culture and achievements of their organization. His writing is engaging as he draws the reader into the pages of each book he writes. His appearances on the Today Show and other national networks for The Ford Century were a huge success. I recommend Russ highly as an author of note.
CHRISTOPHER CAPEN
Publisher, The Ford Century and Bosch in the United States: The First 100 Years