The economic success of the `Asian tigers` in the 1990s was attributed to efforts of ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs like William Soeryadjaya, Li Kashing, Robert Kuok and many others who, starting out as traders with nothing, built up huge empires that came to dominate the region`s economy.

This book traces PT Astra`s development from its origins and start up in the 1950s, through in the 1980s in preparation for going public, and then the `fall of the house of Soeryadjaya` in 1992 as, due to the collapse of his eldest son`s business empire, William was forced to sell his controlling interest in Astra and step down from the helm. The history of Astra following William`s departure, and in particular during the economic crisis that hit the region during 1997-1999 and the subsequent political upheavals in Indonesia, is a unique account of one conglomerate`s progress and setbacks during these stormy times.

We are treated to a wealth of first-hand accounts of PT Astra`s evolving relationships with its joint-venture partners and the concomitant cross-cultural issues. A recurring theme is the conglomerate`s efforts to introduce Japanese and Western organizational and management practices and to train up a cadre of professional managers. We see these efforts bear fruit for PT Astra, whose management team steered the company through even the most difficult times.