What do you think?
Rate this book
جوتشي: قصة مدهشة عن الجريمة والجنون والتألق والجشع
The sensational true story of murder, madness, glamour, and greed that shook the Gucci dynasty, now fully updated with a new afterword.
On March 27, 1995, Maurizio Gucci, heir to the fabulous fashion dynasty, was slain by an unknown gunman as he approached his Milan office. In 1998, his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani Martinelli--nicknamed "The Black Widow" by the press--was sentenced to 29 years in prison, for arranging his murder.
Did Patrizia murder her ex-husband because his spending was wildly out of control? Did she do it because her glamorous ex was preparing to marry his mistress, Paola Franchi? Or is there a possibility she didn't do it at all?
The Gucci story is one of glitz, glamour, intrigue, the rise, near fall and subsequent resurgence of a fashion dynasty. Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and widely acclaimed, The House of Gucci will captivate readers with its page-turning account of high fashion, high finance, and heart-rending personal tragedy.
On March 27, 1995, Maurizio Gucci, heir to the fabulous fashion dynasty, was slain by an unknown gunman as he approached his Milan office. In 1998, his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani Martinelli--nicknamed "The Black Widow" by the press--was sentenced to 29 years in prison, for arranging his murder.
Did Patrizia murder her ex-husband because his spending was wildly out of control? Did she do it because her glamorous ex was preparing to marry his mistress, Paola Franchi? Or is there a possibility she didn't do it at all?
The Gucci story is one of glitz, glamour, intrigue, the rise, near fall and subsequent resurgence of a fashion dynasty. Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and widely acclaimed, The House of Gucci will captivate readers with its page-turning account of high fashion, high finance, and heart-rending personal tragedy.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,760 reviews
Read
January 6, 2022The author of this book is kind of amazing for how much information (and obscure, non-publically available information) she discovered on the gucci family drama, as well as on all the legal battles. The only thing I didn’t like was how she would jump back and forth in time, making a book as dense as this one even harder to follow.
I would recommend it to anyone who has a heavy interest in fashion business, since the bulk of the book is on gucci’s business operations in the 90s/early 2000s. As for me, I preferred the family stuff, so this wasn’t quite the page turner.
I would recommend it to anyone who has a heavy interest in fashion business, since the bulk of the book is on gucci’s business operations in the 90s/early 2000s. As for me, I preferred the family stuff, so this wasn’t quite the page turner.
November 26, 2021
to hear my thoughts on this book over on my Booktube channel, abookolive.
As others have noted, this book is far more about the Gucci business since its founding in the early 20th century than it is about the 1995 murder of Maurizio Gucci. I happen to enjoy learning more about businesses and their histories, but because the author was, by turns, telling the stories of the business and the family (including the murder), she ended up trying to do too much. Being more selective with the information presented would have made more a more cohesive and entertaining reading experience.
As others have noted, this book is far more about the Gucci business since its founding in the early 20th century than it is about the 1995 murder of Maurizio Gucci. I happen to enjoy learning more about businesses and their histories, but because the author was, by turns, telling the stories of the business and the family (including the murder), she ended up trying to do too much. Being more selective with the information presented would have made more a more cohesive and entertaining reading experience.
August 22, 2017
Do you remember the Gucci canvas bags with the green and red straps? I really wanted one of those bags, although the ones I saw were probably all knock-offs. This book revealed that the revenue from that product line alone was worth $100 million dollars!
When Maurizio Gucci took control of the Gucci empire in the mid 90’s after he outmanoeuvred his uncle and cousins in a hostile takeover, he decided that those bags were too low brow for Gucci and ordered that the product line be cut overnight. That’s $100 million in revenue, cut overnight, without anything new to replace it. The leftover stock was sent to rot in warehouses. This was one in a string of decisions, combined with out of control spending that took Gucci from a growing and successful company into a downward spiral. At one point Maurizio was so broke ($40 million in personal debt as well as the company in the red) he was borrowing money from his driver and his American Gucci CEO. His secretary had to run the gauntlet of paying bills to suppliers and staff in instalments, until he finally agreed to step down and was bought out by Investcorp in one of the most successful IPO’s in the fashion and luxury goods industry.
This is an incredibly well researched book. The cover lures you in with the intrigue of a murder, but in reality there are only two chapters dedicated to that part of the Gucci lore, one at the beginning to describe the murder and one at the end to describe the trial. The rest of the book is about business: boardroom fiasco’s, family power struggles, legal battles and the world of investment banking.
For anyone that has an inkling of interest in fashion and big brands, this is a great insight into how these businesses are built, bought and sold. It’s not just about the advertising campaigns and the big names. The legal bills alone will make your eyes water.
PS. I recommend doing a google search on Patrizia Gucci to see what she is up to now!
When Maurizio Gucci took control of the Gucci empire in the mid 90’s after he outmanoeuvred his uncle and cousins in a hostile takeover, he decided that those bags were too low brow for Gucci and ordered that the product line be cut overnight. That’s $100 million in revenue, cut overnight, without anything new to replace it. The leftover stock was sent to rot in warehouses. This was one in a string of decisions, combined with out of control spending that took Gucci from a growing and successful company into a downward spiral. At one point Maurizio was so broke ($40 million in personal debt as well as the company in the red) he was borrowing money from his driver and his American Gucci CEO. His secretary had to run the gauntlet of paying bills to suppliers and staff in instalments, until he finally agreed to step down and was bought out by Investcorp in one of the most successful IPO’s in the fashion and luxury goods industry.
This is an incredibly well researched book. The cover lures you in with the intrigue of a murder, but in reality there are only two chapters dedicated to that part of the Gucci lore, one at the beginning to describe the murder and one at the end to describe the trial. The rest of the book is about business: boardroom fiasco’s, family power struggles, legal battles and the world of investment banking.
For anyone that has an inkling of interest in fashion and big brands, this is a great insight into how these businesses are built, bought and sold. It’s not just about the advertising campaigns and the big names. The legal bills alone will make your eyes water.
PS. I recommend doing a google search on Patrizia Gucci to see what she is up to now!
December 21, 2012
The family drama and murder of Maurizio Gucci were the most interesting parts of this book. Unfortunately the business history drags the book down. Forden also seems to get a bit off track at points. When telling of how designer Tom Ford came to work for Gucci, she delves into his personal history. While fairly interesting, it didn't seem terribly germane to the story.
November 5, 2022
Looking at the pages of negative reviews on here, I'd say get your expectations in tune with this book: it's not a steamy Jackie Collins-alike 'bonkbuster' full of bed-hopping and sexual shenanigans (is the film? I haven't seen it) - it is an account of the creation, rise, fall, and rise again of the Gucci company - and I found it fascinating.
In some ways, this charts the trajectory of capitalism, especially the sector of fashion and luxury goods, from the mid-twentieth century (i.e. after WW2) to pretty much now. Like so many of those now-huge names (Prada is another), Gucci started out as a family-owned and run small company making leather goods with an eye for long-lasting quality rather than being fashionable or a 'brand'. All that came much later.
Amidst the insider business story - and yes, Forden gives all the details, exactly as I expected - is the story of the Gucci family and the requisite in-fighting over inheritances, control and money (money, money).
If you're in this solely for the murder of Maurizio Gucci and the sensational trial of his ex-wife Patrizia, you'll have a long wait - that doesn't happen till probably about 70% into the book and is a part of the story, not the focus of this book.
But if you're interested, as I was, in how a family business turns into a global brand; how Italy challenges Paris' hold on the designer/luxury fashion sector; and a story which traces, amongst other strands, the career of Tom Ford, this is excellent.
(I skipped between the audiobook, excellently read, and the book).
In some ways, this charts the trajectory of capitalism, especially the sector of fashion and luxury goods, from the mid-twentieth century (i.e. after WW2) to pretty much now. Like so many of those now-huge names (Prada is another), Gucci started out as a family-owned and run small company making leather goods with an eye for long-lasting quality rather than being fashionable or a 'brand'. All that came much later.
Amidst the insider business story - and yes, Forden gives all the details, exactly as I expected - is the story of the Gucci family and the requisite in-fighting over inheritances, control and money (money, money).
If you're in this solely for the murder of Maurizio Gucci and the sensational trial of his ex-wife Patrizia, you'll have a long wait - that doesn't happen till probably about 70% into the book and is a part of the story, not the focus of this book.
But if you're interested, as I was, in how a family business turns into a global brand; how Italy challenges Paris' hold on the designer/luxury fashion sector; and a story which traces, amongst other strands, the career of Tom Ford, this is excellent.
(I skipped between the audiobook, excellently read, and the book).
March 25, 2021
To give it its full title � The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed.
But that’s a case of false advertising if ever I saw one.
If you’re reading this because of the murder forget it. The book opens with the murder of Maurizio Gucci but then takes about 70% of the book to get back there and is relatively lacking in details, considering the blurb makes it sound like this is the focus of the book.
The first half of the book is the history of the family and the business, but then it devolves into a business report detailing corporate takeovers and stocks and shares and whatever who cares stuff.
The murder pops up now and again among all the business stuff making the book seem rather disorganised. I should mention � it does seem to be meticulously researched.
And this narrator?! I’ve occasionally boosted a rating because of an excellent narrator but I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to lower my rating before. He puts on so many different accents. Yes, Tom Ford is from Texas but since when did he sound like a cowboy! And the two English women who appear early on (they married into the Gucci family and I can’t remember who they are now), did he just stick a pin in the map and choose a random regional accent? I can’t speak for the Italian accents he used but they were probably just as bad. And that’s just the accents. He pronounces the car manufacturer Seat like the thing you sit on, and Balmain� If you get a narrator for a book that is primarily about a European fashion house it’s definitely going to mention others � make sure the narrator can pronounce them correctly! Those are just the things that stuck out � surely others slipped by me.
The upcoming film has potential because I’m sure they will focus on the three or so chapters of the book detailing the relationship between Patrizia and Maurizio and his murder.
But that’s a case of false advertising if ever I saw one.
If you’re reading this because of the murder forget it. The book opens with the murder of Maurizio Gucci but then takes about 70% of the book to get back there and is relatively lacking in details, considering the blurb makes it sound like this is the focus of the book.
The first half of the book is the history of the family and the business, but then it devolves into a business report detailing corporate takeovers and stocks and shares and whatever who cares stuff.
The murder pops up now and again among all the business stuff making the book seem rather disorganised. I should mention � it does seem to be meticulously researched.
And this narrator?! I’ve occasionally boosted a rating because of an excellent narrator but I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to lower my rating before. He puts on so many different accents. Yes, Tom Ford is from Texas but since when did he sound like a cowboy! And the two English women who appear early on (they married into the Gucci family and I can’t remember who they are now), did he just stick a pin in the map and choose a random regional accent? I can’t speak for the Italian accents he used but they were probably just as bad. And that’s just the accents. He pronounces the car manufacturer Seat like the thing you sit on, and Balmain� If you get a narrator for a book that is primarily about a European fashion house it’s definitely going to mention others � make sure the narrator can pronounce them correctly! Those are just the things that stuck out � surely others slipped by me.
The upcoming film has potential because I’m sure they will focus on the three or so chapters of the book detailing the relationship between Patrizia and Maurizio and his murder.
February 8, 2022
Неочаквано и за мен книгата се оказа добра. Сериозно документално четиво с монго лек художествен щрих. Отнема време да бъде прочетено, защото съдържа страшно много информация, плътни страници текст почти без диалог и обем от 500+ страници.
На мен лично ми беше много интересно, защото светът на търговията с луксозни стоки и в частност мода, винаги е предизвиквал любопитството ми. Не очаквайте обаче само лъскави ревюта или звездни клюки. Голяма част от книгата е посветена на финансови и бизнес маневри, адвокати, придобивания, преструктуриране на бизнеси. И то предадени в сериозни детайли. Историята на Патриция и Маурицио, която е основа за филма на Ридли Скот, който също ми допадна без да е велик шедьовър, тук далеч не е в центъра на нещата. Но пак човек надниква в живота на богатите и в огромната психо драма, която е била съдбата на семейство Гучи поколения наред.
Бонус: Историята на изграждането на Том Форд като една от най-влиятелните фигури в модата.
Препоръчвам определено, но на читатели с вкус към детайла, бизнеса и модата.
На мен лично ми беше много интересно, защото светът на търговията с луксозни стоки и в частност мода, винаги е предизвиквал любопитството ми. Не очаквайте обаче само лъскави ревюта или звездни клюки. Голяма част от книгата е посветена на финансови и бизнес маневри, адвокати, придобивания, преструктуриране на бизнеси. И то предадени в сериозни детайли. Историята на Патриция и Маурицио, която е основа за филма на Ридли Скот, който също ми допадна без да е велик шедьовър, тук далеч не е в центъра на нещата. Но пак човек надниква в живота на богатите и в огромната психо драма, която е била съдбата на семейство Гучи поколения наред.
Бонус: Историята на изграждането на Том Форд като една от най-влиятелните фигури в модата.
Препоръчвам определено, но на читатели с вкус към детайла, бизнеса и модата.
March 8, 2022
I happen to like really dense non-fiction, especially looks into complex webs of corporate malfeasance/mismanagement, thus House of Gucci was a super solid read for me. But I think most people who saw the movie/came for the true crime drama will be annoyed/frustrated/disappointed. And even with my inclination, the book frustrated in a few points, so it's not a 5 star/must recommend from me, either.
But, man, is it an eye-opening picture of the rise and fall and rise again of Gucci! And that's really what it is: this book is 90% solely about the family and the business, not about Patrizia Reggiani and the true crime aspect of it. I really liked how it started at the beginning and then moved chronologically through the history of the company, via that lens: the company. The book goes long stretches focusing solely on the nitty-gritty of business decisions and disagreements/literal fist fights/backstabbing/lawsuits with nary a mention of Patricia/Maurizio's marriage/personal lives even though you know, logically, many things were happening concurrently.
It would be interesting to see a differently lensed take that blended the two narratives together in one stream for context, as I did find myself wondering more than once "ok Maurizio's is acting like a giant asshole/moron during this period at Gucci--how does this dovetail with what was going on with his marriage/at home?" Especially given Patricia's eventual diagnosis as having npd and, well, that she murdered him... one can only one how much of his business spiral was connected to his personal spiral.
But for me, the business-only focus was certainly interesting enough. I came away with a pretty solid understanding of the family, the culture (both in the business, the family, and Italian business culture), the various toxic dynamics and the broader business/industry picture throughout the years. If you love fashion, fashion history, and US & international corporate/business/stock/conglomerate/investment nerdery... it's really interesting! However it's also LONG, and a dense read. I think those who want the juicy narrative/true crime parts will be too bored to finish it, honestly.
The storytelling style sits between "a bit dry" and "slightly narrative"--there are some vividly painted scenes, to great effect, but many stretches that FEEL like informational journalism. It's fine, but on the scale of "evocative narrative journalism that reads like fiction" and... not that--this sits closer to "straightforward, super in depth piece of long form journalism." So it's not one I'd recommend to a "reluctant non-fiction" reader, basically.
Where I gave pause more than once was the sourcing where specific scenes of Maurizio and Patrizia's relationship was concerned. Unlike some non-fiction that makes clear what the sources are for select stories, this book doesn't do that--at least NOT in the parts about the "juicy" true crime/personal stuff. Without such sourcing/citations, I just stopped more than once at a incendiary description of Maurizio getting violent with Patrizia, for example, or saying something REALLY nasty... and wondered "source?" Because if Patrizia is that source, as I suspect for these instances that were strictly between them, it makes me... itch in a very uncomfortable way to describes these scenes as fact. The man is dead--he cannot defend himself. Did he really choke Patrizia and say this will make you taller?! Ma'am, I'm going to need an independent, corroborating source on that. I'm just not 100% comfortable with accepting Patrizia's telling of... anything as objective fact. And if there was additional sourcing, as I said, it's not said on the page. It made me super uncomfortable.
So I can recommend this with caveats, per above. A great read for a certain kind of reader/non-fiction fan. Did make me slightly sad we didn't get House of Gucci as a Succession-esque mini-series b/c it is RIPE for that... now I know why the movie couldn't decide who the main character was, or what the main story was... b/c it was cherry picking the small amount of true crime from what is really a family and business saga. And that side of it is SO much more interesting than depicted in the film! (also wow was Adam Driver horribly miscast. Jared Leto too, imo)
But, man, is it an eye-opening picture of the rise and fall and rise again of Gucci! And that's really what it is: this book is 90% solely about the family and the business, not about Patrizia Reggiani and the true crime aspect of it. I really liked how it started at the beginning and then moved chronologically through the history of the company, via that lens: the company. The book goes long stretches focusing solely on the nitty-gritty of business decisions and disagreements/literal fist fights/backstabbing/lawsuits with nary a mention of Patricia/Maurizio's marriage/personal lives even though you know, logically, many things were happening concurrently.
It would be interesting to see a differently lensed take that blended the two narratives together in one stream for context, as I did find myself wondering more than once "ok Maurizio's is acting like a giant asshole/moron during this period at Gucci--how does this dovetail with what was going on with his marriage/at home?" Especially given Patricia's eventual diagnosis as having npd and, well, that she murdered him... one can only one how much of his business spiral was connected to his personal spiral.
But for me, the business-only focus was certainly interesting enough. I came away with a pretty solid understanding of the family, the culture (both in the business, the family, and Italian business culture), the various toxic dynamics and the broader business/industry picture throughout the years. If you love fashion, fashion history, and US & international corporate/business/stock/conglomerate/investment nerdery... it's really interesting! However it's also LONG, and a dense read. I think those who want the juicy narrative/true crime parts will be too bored to finish it, honestly.
The storytelling style sits between "a bit dry" and "slightly narrative"--there are some vividly painted scenes, to great effect, but many stretches that FEEL like informational journalism. It's fine, but on the scale of "evocative narrative journalism that reads like fiction" and... not that--this sits closer to "straightforward, super in depth piece of long form journalism." So it's not one I'd recommend to a "reluctant non-fiction" reader, basically.
Where I gave pause more than once was the sourcing where specific scenes of Maurizio and Patrizia's relationship was concerned. Unlike some non-fiction that makes clear what the sources are for select stories, this book doesn't do that--at least NOT in the parts about the "juicy" true crime/personal stuff. Without such sourcing/citations, I just stopped more than once at a incendiary description of Maurizio getting violent with Patrizia, for example, or saying something REALLY nasty... and wondered "source?" Because if Patrizia is that source, as I suspect for these instances that were strictly between them, it makes me... itch in a very uncomfortable way to describes these scenes as fact. The man is dead--he cannot defend himself. Did he really choke Patrizia and say this will make you taller?! Ma'am, I'm going to need an independent, corroborating source on that. I'm just not 100% comfortable with accepting Patrizia's telling of... anything as objective fact. And if there was additional sourcing, as I said, it's not said on the page. It made me super uncomfortable.
So I can recommend this with caveats, per above. A great read for a certain kind of reader/non-fiction fan. Did make me slightly sad we didn't get House of Gucci as a Succession-esque mini-series b/c it is RIPE for that... now I know why the movie couldn't decide who the main character was, or what the main story was... b/c it was cherry picking the small amount of true crime from what is really a family and business saga. And that side of it is SO much more interesting than depicted in the film! (also wow was Adam Driver horribly miscast. Jared Leto too, imo)
March 25, 2025
Gucci was my first luxury love. Worked there in college. Am geeky about Gucci. So I loved this book. I can see why others may not have enjoyed it as much, especially if they expected it to be the same as the movie version. I could feast day and night on the Gucci lore, and so, it’s five stars for me.
November 30, 2021
“Elegance is like manners,� he used to say. “You can’t be polite only on Wednesday or Thursday. If you are elegant, you should be every day of the week. If you are not, then it’s another matter.�
Let me start off by saying that this book is incredibly well-researched, it's very much a Gucci encyclopedia, and though I can appreciate that, as I reader, for the most part I just felt like I was reading a very, very, very long article.
Maybe non-fiction with so much history and facts just isn't my thing and others will enjoy this a lot more than I did, but it just felt too dense for me, and the huge focus on the business side of the corporation was a bore for me personally. If you know me, you know that I was here for the family drama and the gossip, not pages and pages about stocks and investors (and to be fair, the title of the book is literally A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed , so of course that's what I was expecting).
In the end, though there was a lot of madness and greed, there wasn't enough murder and glamour.
Let me start off by saying that this book is incredibly well-researched, it's very much a Gucci encyclopedia, and though I can appreciate that, as I reader, for the most part I just felt like I was reading a very, very, very long article.
Maybe non-fiction with so much history and facts just isn't my thing and others will enjoy this a lot more than I did, but it just felt too dense for me, and the huge focus on the business side of the corporation was a bore for me personally. If you know me, you know that I was here for the family drama and the gossip, not pages and pages about stocks and investors (and to be fair, the title of the book is literally A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed , so of course that's what I was expecting).
In the end, though there was a lot of madness and greed, there wasn't enough murder and glamour.
July 16, 2021
Not nearly enough family drama, crime drama or talk of the European fashion world. Entirely too many details about the Gucci corporation that read like a business report for 70% of the book. (stocks? shares? investors? so many dollar amounts?? Babe, nobody cares. I’m only here for the luxury goods�)
I’m actually pretty hopeful that the movie will be much better because it can easily skip the boring stuff and just focus on the clothes, dramatic Italian relatives and most importantly: Adam Driver vs. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta !!!
I’m actually pretty hopeful that the movie will be much better because it can easily skip the boring stuff and just focus on the clothes, dramatic Italian relatives and most importantly: Adam Driver vs. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta !!!
December 29, 2021
Вы определитесь, вам шашечки или ехать? (с)
Книга про семью Гуччи и их бизнес мечется между судебной драмой и итальянской оперой, толком не выдерживая стиль ни того, ни другого. Кое-что показалось интересным и живым � например, очень хороши документальное начало и небольшой рассказ про Тома Форда в Гуччи � но, в целом, обилие ненужных «художественных» деталей меня утомило. Не люблю нон-фикшен с украшательствами, «в этот предрассветный час N ворочался в своей шикарной постели и переживал, что не успел купить дочкам новогодние подарки».
Книга про семью Гуччи и их бизнес мечется между судебной драмой и итальянской оперой, толком не выдерживая стиль ни того, ни другого. Кое-что показалось интересным и живым � например, очень хороши документальное начало и небольшой рассказ про Тома Форда в Гуччи � но, в целом, обилие ненужных «художественных» деталей меня утомило. Не люблю нон-фикшен с украшательствами, «в этот предрассветный час N ворочался в своей шикарной постели и переживал, что не успел купить дочкам новогодние подарки».
November 7, 2021
DNF'ed about 100 pages to the end, after quite a bit of skimming. You'd expect a murder book that's being made into a film starring Adam fucking Driver (yummy) to be a bit, I dunno, sexier and more thrilling, but this was such a snooze.
August 16, 2021
Father, son and House Of Gucci!
Ridlija Skota jaunā filma mudināja mani iepazīties ar oriģinālo materiālu, lai gan visoriģinālākā ir pati dzīve.
Ļoti pamatīgs autores darbs, aprakstot Guči ģimenes vēsturi, saites, skandālus, biznesa impērijas lēktu un rietu un atdzimšanu. Mani vairāk saistīja biznesa analīze, modes monetārās aizkulises, kļūdas pārvaldē, cik ļoti "veiksmīga" biznesa piemērs atšķiras starp ASV un Itāliju, un kādi citplanētieši joprojām ir japāņi. Ļoti labs "companion piece" šai grāmatai ir seriāls "Succession".
Skaidrs, šis ir labs piemērs kā NEVEIDOT ģimenes biznesu, bet arī labs piemērs, kā neveidot ģimenes attiecības.
Mana viena zvaigzne nost par haotiskajām nodaļām.
Ridlija Skota jaunā filma mudināja mani iepazīties ar oriģinālo materiālu, lai gan visoriģinālākā ir pati dzīve.
Ļoti pamatīgs autores darbs, aprakstot Guči ģimenes vēsturi, saites, skandālus, biznesa impērijas lēktu un rietu un atdzimšanu. Mani vairāk saistīja biznesa analīze, modes monetārās aizkulises, kļūdas pārvaldē, cik ļoti "veiksmīga" biznesa piemērs atšķiras starp ASV un Itāliju, un kādi citplanētieši joprojām ir japāņi. Ļoti labs "companion piece" šai grāmatai ir seriāls "Succession".
Skaidrs, šis ir labs piemērs kā NEVEIDOT ģimenes biznesu, bet arī labs piemērs, kā neveidot ģimenes attiecības.
Mana viena zvaigzne nost par haotiskajām nodaļām.
February 16, 2022
Sara Gay Forden postawiła sobie niełatwe zadanie � dotrzeć do źródeł konfliktów, sedna tej historii, analizując kolejne lata działalności domu mody, rozwoju marki, skandali i towarzyszących im intryg. Książkę czyta się miejscami z fascynacją � zwłaszcza przy fragmentach o niełatwych relacjach rodzinnych Guccich czy o początku budowania domu mody. Całość przypomina mieszankę porywającej biografii z elementami true crime i analizy biznesowo-historycznej. Warto jednak docenić pieczołowitość Sary Gay Forden, jej bezstronność i fantastyczny wgląd do świata blichtru, który zazwyczaj można obserwować jedynie z daleka, a który swoje tajemnice trzyma blisko, bliziutko. Dla miłośników modowego światka � pozycja obowiązkowa!
December 20, 2021
Ta rodzina jest bardzo interesująca, ale w pewnym momencie miałam już dość tych ciągłych intryg. Autorka ujęła tutaj mnóstwo informacji, więc na pewno nie da się nudzić.
March 26, 2022
Вирішила не дочитувати. Принаймні, зараз. Зупинилась на третині, коли відчула, що мене фізично нудить від поведінки цих Ґуччі. Бісять дурні італійці. Та й загалом книга ніби для любителів пліток. Весь час читання не полишало враження, що я порпаюсь в чужій спідній білизні. Фу.
І чи варто казати, що тепер точно не виникне бажання купити щось цієї марки.
І чи варто казати, що тепер точно не виникне бажання купити щось цієї марки.
September 19, 2021
This book was very dull. It's incredibly well researched and, at times, it feels like the author wants you to know how well researched it is and so she includes copious amounts of details that are unnecessary to the overall story.
If you're looking for "A sensational story of murder, madness, glamour and greed," you won't get it. What you will get is, "A well researched, slow moving extensive Gucci family business history wth a side of greed and madness."
I gave up about 2/3 through and other than a page or two at the very opening of the book very little was about the murder or a sensational story. If you want to know more about the family history of the Gucci's or the business history of Gucci then this is fantastic for that.
It's a very misleading cover.
That being said, I think this will be a great movie because they'll just give you the minimum of what you need from the history and cut the rest out (i.e 2/3+ of the book) and just actually get to the soap opera part.
If you're looking for "A sensational story of murder, madness, glamour and greed," you won't get it. What you will get is, "A well researched, slow moving extensive Gucci family business history wth a side of greed and madness."
I gave up about 2/3 through and other than a page or two at the very opening of the book very little was about the murder or a sensational story. If you want to know more about the family history of the Gucci's or the business history of Gucci then this is fantastic for that.
It's a very misleading cover.
That being said, I think this will be a great movie because they'll just give you the minimum of what you need from the history and cut the rest out (i.e 2/3+ of the book) and just actually get to the soap opera part.
August 17, 2021
Grab this book as a fashion history lover, and it will be a 5 star for you.
Expect it to be a classic true crime book, and you won’t enjoy it as much, as it simply isn’t one. This book is 400 pages of 100 years of business history that started as a small leather goods shop in Florence by Guccio Gucci in 1921 and later became a fashion titan through ups and downs and the work of many people involved.
This is wonderfully detailed story of one of the most iconic fashion houses packed with facts, details of business decisions, lawsuits, family affairs and feuds.
Expect it to be a classic true crime book, and you won’t enjoy it as much, as it simply isn’t one. This book is 400 pages of 100 years of business history that started as a small leather goods shop in Florence by Guccio Gucci in 1921 and later became a fashion titan through ups and downs and the work of many people involved.
This is wonderfully detailed story of one of the most iconic fashion houses packed with facts, details of business decisions, lawsuits, family affairs and feuds.
December 11, 2021
След като изгледах филма, базиран (с доста креативна свобода) на книгата, просто нямаше начин да не прочета и книгата.
Филмът ми хареса и някак си очаквах книгата също да е фокусирана върху Патриция и Маурицио, но всъщност тяхната история е сравнително малка част от фокуса на книгата.
Книгата прави дисекция на целия почти стогодишен живот на компанията Gucci. И с това е чудесно допълнение към филма. Не само защото получаваш доста подробна картинка на самия бранд и всички значими фигури от живота на компанията, ами и разбива някои креативни интерпретации от филма. :Р
Едно нещо разбрах, четейки поредната книга за моден бранд - време е да си купим всички по един Singer и да се научим как си шием дрехите, защото модните къщи и компании до една са пълен sh*t и отдавна нещата не са насочени върху това хората всъщност да са облечени добре и подходящо за сезона и дрехите им да издържат дълго време.
Филмът ми хареса и някак си очаквах книгата също да е фокусирана върху Патриция и Маурицио, но всъщност тяхната история е сравнително малка част от фокуса на книгата.
Книгата прави дисекция на целия почти стогодишен живот на компанията Gucci. И с това е чудесно допълнение към филма. Не само защото получаваш доста подробна картинка на самия бранд и всички значими фигури от живота на компанията, ами и разбива някои креативни интерпретации от филма. :Р
Едно нещо разбрах, четейки поредната книга за моден бранд - време е да си купим всички по един Singer и да се научим как си шием дрехите, защото модните къщи и компании до една са пълен sh*t и отдавна нещата не са насочени върху това хората всъщност да са облечени добре и подходящо за сезона и дрехите им да издържат дълго време.
May 4, 2021
This book is MUCH longer than it needs to be. I was hoping for a story about the murder of Mauricio Gucci and trial of the accused (no spoilers here!). The shooting and subsequent fallout comprise 25% of the book, but the rest of the story has to do with the inner workings of the company (stocks, buyouts, staff decisions, family infighting, etc). Save your time and just see the Adam Driver/Lady Gaga movie when it comes out.
September 12, 2021
this was simply a rollercoaster of events damn
November 28, 2021
4,5/5
Fabularyzowana literatura faktu to jest to co lubię najbardziej. W tym przypadku było co opowiadać i autorka zrobiła to prześwietnie. Książkę czyta się bardzo płynnie i z dużym zaangażowaniem. Kompletnie nie podzielam opinii, że w książce jest sporo nudnych fragmentów, a na dłużyzny jestem uczulona. Fakt, że w okolicach połowy było kilkanaście mało porywających stron, a epilog nie miał końca, jednak jak na prawie 500 stronicową książkę to naprawdę niewiele. Czuć od początku, że autorka sumiennie podeszła do tematu i by sprostać opowiedzeniu całej historii tak jak na to zasługuje trzeba było opisać i te mniej porywające momenty. Na to się nie gniewam ani trochę, za to mam spory żal, że w książce jest tak mało fotografii. W książce O MODZIE(!!!) jest może z 10 zdjęć. Choć autorka bardzo pięknie opisuje miejsca, wnętrza, projekty, ubrania (tutaj zapewne równie dobrą robotę odwaliła tłumaczka) to jednak chciałabym je też zobaczyć na zdjęciach. Głownie za to zaniżam ocenę o te pół gwiazdki.
Drugim elementem który parę razy mnie zirytował to przeskoki czasowe. Rozumiem jednak, że przy tak obszernym materiale nie dało się inaczej. Opowiedzenie pewnych wydarzeń jednocześnie zrobiło by z tej historii niezły bigos i byłoby na pewno jeszcze gorzej. Receptą na te niespodziewane przeskoki będzie maksymalne skupienie się na lekturze, a jest się na czym skupiać...
Do dziś nie sądziłam, że historia marki Gucci jest tak zaskakująca, zagmatwana i emocjonująca. Wciągnęła mnie od samego początku i nie puściła do samego końca. Niesamowici ludzie i charaktery. Ich losy są nie tylko fascynujące, ale też dają wiele do myślenia. Z całej historii można wydobyć wiele wniosków i przemyśleń. Autorka odwaliła świetną robotę pod każdym względem, na tyle że nie mam wrażenia że czegokolwiek tu zabrakło. Pełna satysfakcja (no ok, malutki minus za brak tych zdjęć) to dla rzadkie uczucie po lekturze książki.
Fabularyzowana literatura faktu to jest to co lubię najbardziej. W tym przypadku było co opowiadać i autorka zrobiła to prześwietnie. Książkę czyta się bardzo płynnie i z dużym zaangażowaniem. Kompletnie nie podzielam opinii, że w książce jest sporo nudnych fragmentów, a na dłużyzny jestem uczulona. Fakt, że w okolicach połowy było kilkanaście mało porywających stron, a epilog nie miał końca, jednak jak na prawie 500 stronicową książkę to naprawdę niewiele. Czuć od początku, że autorka sumiennie podeszła do tematu i by sprostać opowiedzeniu całej historii tak jak na to zasługuje trzeba było opisać i te mniej porywające momenty. Na to się nie gniewam ani trochę, za to mam spory żal, że w książce jest tak mało fotografii. W książce O MODZIE(!!!) jest może z 10 zdjęć. Choć autorka bardzo pięknie opisuje miejsca, wnętrza, projekty, ubrania (tutaj zapewne równie dobrą robotę odwaliła tłumaczka) to jednak chciałabym je też zobaczyć na zdjęciach. Głownie za to zaniżam ocenę o te pół gwiazdki.
Drugim elementem który parę razy mnie zirytował to przeskoki czasowe. Rozumiem jednak, że przy tak obszernym materiale nie dało się inaczej. Opowiedzenie pewnych wydarzeń jednocześnie zrobiło by z tej historii niezły bigos i byłoby na pewno jeszcze gorzej. Receptą na te niespodziewane przeskoki będzie maksymalne skupienie się na lekturze, a jest się na czym skupiać...
Do dziś nie sądziłam, że historia marki Gucci jest tak zaskakująca, zagmatwana i emocjonująca. Wciągnęła mnie od samego początku i nie puściła do samego końca. Niesamowici ludzie i charaktery. Ich losy są nie tylko fascynujące, ale też dają wiele do myślenia. Z całej historii można wydobyć wiele wniosków i przemyśleń. Autorka odwaliła świetną robotę pod każdym względem, na tyle że nie mam wrażenia że czegokolwiek tu zabrakło. Pełna satysfakcja (no ok, malutki minus za brak tych zdjęć) to dla rzadkie uczucie po lekturze książki.
February 8, 2022
Най-сетне, след близо два и половина месеца, приключих с "Домът на Гучи'.
Според мен това е книга, която трябва да се прочете от всеки, който се интересува от висша мода, понеже са засегнати не малко известни дизайнери и връзките на Гучи с тях.
На мен ми допадна много, още повече, че е някаква смесица от проза и документала литература. Понеже около Коледа, когато бях в средата на книгата, избързах да гледам филма, интересът ми съвсем леко намаля, но той е съсредоточен по-скоро върху Маурицио и Патриция, така че не беше никакъв проблем.
Според мен това е книга, която трябва да се прочете от всеки, който се интересува от висша мода, понеже са засегнати не малко известни дизайнери и връзките на Гучи с тях.
На мен ми допадна много, още повече, че е някаква смесица от проза и документала литература. Понеже около Коледа, когато бях в средата на книгата, избързах да гледам филма, интересът ми съвсем леко намаля, но той е съсредоточен по-скоро върху Маурицио и Патриция, така че не беше никакъв проблем.
March 10, 2022
The House of Gucci is too long. However, there is much to tell about the rise of this empire from its humble beginnings in a small leather bag shop. However, the family itself following the death of the original Gucci, becomes a tale of competing relatives for power.
Aldo Gucci is the family member has the business sense and is the oldest of the Gucci children. When the patriarch died, he left the business to his 3 sons and excluded his daughter and her husband who helped grow the business. They received cash and property. Aldo's two brothers were content to let him run the business end of things, and Rudolfo ran the creative end. The third brother ran one of the factories.
You may enjoy reading about all the buiness transactions over the years that finally removed the compamy from family hands. But most people will come to read about the murder of Mauritzo Gucci. He was the Gucci who ended up in power at the end. He was the son of one of the original 3 brothers. His love of spending and not having a good business sense resulted in him losing the company.
His inabilty to deal with his personal life led to his death. Reading this book you will read about yacht races, vast wealth, and interestingly the rise of designer Tom Ford.
Aldo Gucci is the family member has the business sense and is the oldest of the Gucci children. When the patriarch died, he left the business to his 3 sons and excluded his daughter and her husband who helped grow the business. They received cash and property. Aldo's two brothers were content to let him run the business end of things, and Rudolfo ran the creative end. The third brother ran one of the factories.
You may enjoy reading about all the buiness transactions over the years that finally removed the compamy from family hands. But most people will come to read about the murder of Mauritzo Gucci. He was the Gucci who ended up in power at the end. He was the son of one of the original 3 brothers. His love of spending and not having a good business sense resulted in him losing the company.
His inabilty to deal with his personal life led to his death. Reading this book you will read about yacht races, vast wealth, and interestingly the rise of designer Tom Ford.
July 27, 2022
Костваха ми много усилия, за да прочета тази книга, подарена ми от близък човек � стори ми се изключително скучна, безсмислено детайлна и прекомерно финансово ориентирана, разкриваща подходи в света на компаниите, които, честно казано, не ме касаят особено, тъй като са далеч от интересите ми. Вероятно фактът, че бях гледала и филмовата адаптация е оказал своето влияние � очаквах повече информация, свързана със самите личности, които стоят зад Gucci, искаше ми се фокусът да е върху тях, а не върху бизнес сделките, които са или не са сключили. В края на краищата, почти нищо ново за никого не разбрах � такава дълбочина просто липсваше.
December 5, 2021
I was past halfway point and still bored and dreaded getting back to it. Life is too short to finish just to finish. I believe I'll like the film a lot better since it will reduce it down to the interesting parts and will have nice things to look at. From the previews, you can tell it will have great set and costume designs.
December 29, 2021
Jak mawiał Tołstoj - "wszystkie szczęśliwe rodziny są do siebie podobne, każda nieszczęśliwa rodzina jest nieszczęśliwa na swój sposób".
Nieszczęściom rodu Gucci przyjrzała się z uwagą Sara Gay Forden. Waśnie rodzinne, donosy, utrata majątku i w końcu morderstwo. Mnie osobiście ta opera mydlana szczególnie nie zszokowała. Nie od dziś wiadomo, że z rodziną dobrze wychodzi się tylko na zdjęciu, a pieniądze szczęścia nie dają.
Warstwa obyczajowa to, ot, kolejna historia rodziny drącej koty o pieniądze. Autorka bawi się w paradokument i barwnie maluje świat Guccich, wkładając w usta bohaterów zdania i przypisując im uczucia, które są jej wersją zdarzeń. Nie przepadam za takim zmyślaniem, choć doceniam, że dodaje literaturze faktu dramaturgii.
Zaciekawiło mnie to, czego się nie spodziewałam, a co wielu nudziło czyli warstwa biznesowo-prawna. Opis tworzenia marki, potem jej podupadania, aż w koncu przejęcia Gucci i zbudowania pod nowym przywództwem marki globalnej czytało mi się świetnie. Chapeau bas za ogrom szczegółów.
Nie wybaczę tylko jednego. Jak historię domu mody można było zobrazować zaledwie kilkoma czarno-białymi zdjęciami?! To nie błąd. To zbrodnia.
Nieszczęściom rodu Gucci przyjrzała się z uwagą Sara Gay Forden. Waśnie rodzinne, donosy, utrata majątku i w końcu morderstwo. Mnie osobiście ta opera mydlana szczególnie nie zszokowała. Nie od dziś wiadomo, że z rodziną dobrze wychodzi się tylko na zdjęciu, a pieniądze szczęścia nie dają.
Warstwa obyczajowa to, ot, kolejna historia rodziny drącej koty o pieniądze. Autorka bawi się w paradokument i barwnie maluje świat Guccich, wkładając w usta bohaterów zdania i przypisując im uczucia, które są jej wersją zdarzeń. Nie przepadam za takim zmyślaniem, choć doceniam, że dodaje literaturze faktu dramaturgii.
Zaciekawiło mnie to, czego się nie spodziewałam, a co wielu nudziło czyli warstwa biznesowo-prawna. Opis tworzenia marki, potem jej podupadania, aż w koncu przejęcia Gucci i zbudowania pod nowym przywództwem marki globalnej czytało mi się świetnie. Chapeau bas za ogrom szczegółów.
Nie wybaczę tylko jednego. Jak historię domu mody można było zobrazować zaledwie kilkoma czarno-białymi zdjęciami?! To nie błąd. To zbrodnia.
November 27, 2021
I think I’ve called this book fascinating at least 1,000 times over the past 10 days I’ve been reading it, but that’s because it is! Truly fascinating! It’s long and the tiniest bit dense, but only because there is so much history to cover. Otherwise, it’s exciting and reads almost like a screen play (checks out). I went into this one essentially blind to the history of Gucci (literally didn’t even realize Tom Ford was so involved, maybe I’m just a big dummy), and wow I feel like I learned so much - not only about the family and the brand, but also about the politics of the luxury goods market and frankly, banking (that last one is general, yes, but a huge one for me).
My only complaint is that occasionally the presentation of information as it relates to historical timeline felt jumbled, but when considering how much was going on concurrently with the family and the business, I actually can’t think of a better way to have structured the book.
Can’t wait to see the movie and compare.
My only complaint is that occasionally the presentation of information as it relates to historical timeline felt jumbled, but when considering how much was going on concurrently with the family and the business, I actually can’t think of a better way to have structured the book.
Can’t wait to see the movie and compare.
August 19, 2021
W sumie nie wiedziałem czego się po tej książce spodziewać. Okładka Domu Gucci obiecuje wielkie emocje: "Potęgę mody!", "Szaleństwo pieniędzy!", "Gorycz upadu!" i faktycznie to wszystko można tutaj znaleźć ... między innymi poruszanymi przez autorkę licznymi tematami. Zapraszam do Gucci.
Historia zaczyna się obiecująco. Oto obserwujemy ostatnie chwile życia Maurizia Gucciego - spadkobiercy rodu Guccich. Mau za chwilę zostanie zastrzelony, a my cofniemy się w czasie do początku dwudziestego wieku, kiedy to nestor rodu, Guccio Gucci, zaczyna w swoim florenckim zakładzie produkcję skórzanej galanterii. Dom Gucci nie jest bowiem reportażem kryminalnym, chociaż sama sprawa morderstwa byłaby tematem na książkę. Dom Gucci to reportaż historyczno - ekonomiczno - prawniczy (tak, dobrze widzicie). Do śmierci Maurizia oczywiście wrócimy... za jakieś 350 stron. W międzyczasie poznamy historię rodziny oraz niekończące się perypetie z prawami własności, sprzedażą akcji, wrogimi przejęciami, bankierami inwestycyjnymi, inwestorami i resztą nerwowych ludzi w koszulach i drogich krawatach.
Dom Gucci to długa książka, długa i nużąca, chociaż ze świetnymi momentami. Można się z niej na przykład dowiedzieć jaka jest różnica między "haute de couture" a "pret - a - porter", same losy rodu - w mediach porównywanego do serialowej Dynastii, chociaż jak dla mnie to raczej "Moda na sukces" - są niezwykle barwne i ciekawe, i mówię to jako czytelnik, który w głębokim poważaniu ma historię słynnych mokasynów od Gucciego, albo losy apaszki - wybrałem książkę o modzie, więc nie będę narzekał, chociaż jak na mój gust autorka zbyt często używa stwierdzeń takich jak "symbol statusu" opisując torebkę albo albo wspomniane wyżej mokasyny. Dopóki do czynienia mamy z ekscentrycznymi i porywczymi przedstawicielami rodu Gucci książkę czyta się naprawdę przyjemnie, nudno robi się - jak w życiu - gdy na scenę wkraczają prawnicy.
Sam temat zmian własnościowych, przemian na rynku mody i towarów luksusowych, dla którego losy marki Gucci (bo od pewnego momentu losy rodziny i firmy podążają osobnymi ścieżkami) jest bardzo ciekawy, problem w tym jak Sara Gay Forden je przedstawia - nudno i zawile, w nieskończoność beletryzując biznesowe lunche, brunche i spotkania, w których jedynym interesującym faktem było to, że się w ogóle odbyły, do tego strasznie irytowało mnie to, że autorka opisywała fizjonomię każdej postaci - łagodne spojrzenie błękitnych oczu, albo zbyt długie jasne włosy - wprost pasjonujące, a jeśli dodamy do tego znikomą ilość zdjęć, i używanie słowa "sędzina" na określenie kobiety wykonującej zawód sędziego, to okazuje się, że druga część książki, to zawiła ramota traktująca głównie o sporach sądowych, zakulisowych rozgrywkach inwestorów i tym podobnych sensacjach.
Cały czas podczas lektury zastanawiałem się komu poleciłbym tę książkę i nie znalazłem ani jednej osoby, której ta książka mogłaby się w pełni spodobać i chyba to jest największa wada dzieła pani Forden - jest dla nikogo.
Historia zaczyna się obiecująco. Oto obserwujemy ostatnie chwile życia Maurizia Gucciego - spadkobiercy rodu Guccich. Mau za chwilę zostanie zastrzelony, a my cofniemy się w czasie do początku dwudziestego wieku, kiedy to nestor rodu, Guccio Gucci, zaczyna w swoim florenckim zakładzie produkcję skórzanej galanterii. Dom Gucci nie jest bowiem reportażem kryminalnym, chociaż sama sprawa morderstwa byłaby tematem na książkę. Dom Gucci to reportaż historyczno - ekonomiczno - prawniczy (tak, dobrze widzicie). Do śmierci Maurizia oczywiście wrócimy... za jakieś 350 stron. W międzyczasie poznamy historię rodziny oraz niekończące się perypetie z prawami własności, sprzedażą akcji, wrogimi przejęciami, bankierami inwestycyjnymi, inwestorami i resztą nerwowych ludzi w koszulach i drogich krawatach.
Dom Gucci to długa książka, długa i nużąca, chociaż ze świetnymi momentami. Można się z niej na przykład dowiedzieć jaka jest różnica między "haute de couture" a "pret - a - porter", same losy rodu - w mediach porównywanego do serialowej Dynastii, chociaż jak dla mnie to raczej "Moda na sukces" - są niezwykle barwne i ciekawe, i mówię to jako czytelnik, który w głębokim poważaniu ma historię słynnych mokasynów od Gucciego, albo losy apaszki - wybrałem książkę o modzie, więc nie będę narzekał, chociaż jak na mój gust autorka zbyt często używa stwierdzeń takich jak "symbol statusu" opisując torebkę albo albo wspomniane wyżej mokasyny. Dopóki do czynienia mamy z ekscentrycznymi i porywczymi przedstawicielami rodu Gucci książkę czyta się naprawdę przyjemnie, nudno robi się - jak w życiu - gdy na scenę wkraczają prawnicy.
Sam temat zmian własnościowych, przemian na rynku mody i towarów luksusowych, dla którego losy marki Gucci (bo od pewnego momentu losy rodziny i firmy podążają osobnymi ścieżkami) jest bardzo ciekawy, problem w tym jak Sara Gay Forden je przedstawia - nudno i zawile, w nieskończoność beletryzując biznesowe lunche, brunche i spotkania, w których jedynym interesującym faktem było to, że się w ogóle odbyły, do tego strasznie irytowało mnie to, że autorka opisywała fizjonomię każdej postaci - łagodne spojrzenie błękitnych oczu, albo zbyt długie jasne włosy - wprost pasjonujące, a jeśli dodamy do tego znikomą ilość zdjęć, i używanie słowa "sędzina" na określenie kobiety wykonującej zawód sędziego, to okazuje się, że druga część książki, to zawiła ramota traktująca głównie o sporach sądowych, zakulisowych rozgrywkach inwestorów i tym podobnych sensacjach.
Cały czas podczas lektury zastanawiałem się komu poleciłbym tę książkę i nie znalazłem ani jednej osoby, której ta książka mogłaby się w pełni spodobać i chyba to jest największa wada dzieła pani Forden - jest dla nikogo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,760 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.